Croatia v. Germany [R]

[Dead Fingers]

Everyone is more than welcome to participate in this thread, though trolling/insults from any point of view are not welcome and will be dealt with infractions/bans.


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12.06.08 (Thursday)

[BlitzKrieg]

A draw but a great match or possibly a win for Croatia. I don't think Germany will win this but it will be a fun game to watch certanly. I'm glad that I predicted the game against Austria correctly and hoping I will this one too.

Is this the first clash of these two in big tournaments since 1998 and 3-0 win for Croatia?A rematch?? Wooooow:D

[Aran]

Germany 2-0 Croatia.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=r9XGkdZquk4

[Marbur66]

Germany 2-0 Croatia.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=r9XGkdZquk4
I certainly hope so.:D

[Lusankya]

Draw or a victory with a one goal margin.

[Purger]

I'm not only hoping but also expect much better display than against Austria. We have this habit of underestimating weaker teams and putting our worst performances against them, while against strong opposition we tend to play much better. The bigger the name, the better we play..

I won't predict a result as it can go in any direction, but a draw would be closest to my expectations.

[nekkibasara]

^ Prior to the start of the EM I was predicting a draw as well, but if Croatia doesn't play much better than sunday Germany will win in convincing fashion.

[Purger]

We MUST play better. Equally bad would just be impossible. Austria game was one of the worst matches of Croatia I have seen in a long time. Big stakes and weaker opposition seems to be that killer combo that makes us show our worst. It was always like that: In 98 we won against Romania also by that single penalty and after that trashed Germany 3:0. In 2002 we beat Italy but couldn't deal with Mexico and Ecuador (against which we played like against Austria). 2 years ago after great display against Brasil (we lost though), bad game against Japan and awfull vs. Australia (the game which reminds me the most of yesterdays match). Also this time in the qualifications just after we lost to Macedonia we've easily beaten England on their own soil. I't like our destiny. That's why I was much more concerned about Austria and Poland matches (where points were already taken for granted) than Germany (where there's not much to lose, a loss would not be tragic and any points taken would be great bonus). I just hope for a good match with us looking much sharper than yesterday

[cromagnum]

well if we dont play better the germans will win for sure but i expect us to play well thursday as we usually play well when we are not the favorites..i expect too see rakitic in the starting 11 for this game as well..i have a feeling we will play with one striker in this game..

[fh 1]

Of course we'll play better than against Austria. But Germany is a very tough opponent. "Better" may still not be good enough.
Though, Germany has also some weaknesses in the defense, they are tall but not very stable, especially Metzelder. And their goalie doesn't seem to be the strongest part of their team. Ballack, Frings and Klose are meanwhile in their thirties, still running excellent and very experienced. Ballack is also a good scorer, expecially headers. Podolsky and Schweinsteiger usually sit in Bayern on the bench but in NT are much more useful.
I'm not sure that Germany is such a top team it seems to be at first glance. The problem is to reveal this. There are a few NT who are capable of this. Croatia in the shape of Austria match has no chance. If Croatia wants a chance they have to play at their best and when if not now?

[squidward123]

I think germany will win this but not sure about a score.

A draw is less likely and a loss very unlikely.

[Borussia]

if Croatia doesn't play much better than sunday Germany will win in convincing fashion.

I'm pretty sure that they will...

Although the Croatians disappointed me against Austria, I still rate them higher than Poland (and the Poles were pretty good on Sunday) and expect a very close game between 2 teams which know each other very well.

Of course I hope we'll get revenge for 1998 ;) ... predicting a 2:2 draw, though.



A draw is less likely and a loss very unlikely.

Your optimism is always admirable, dear Kiwi! ;)

[ajsU3C]

I'm rooting for Germany

German victory gives us better chances than Croatians

Cuz if we win against Austria more than 1:0 (which isn't impossible), then a draw in the last games lets Poland through.

Besides I'm rooting for Podolski :D

[Cris 09]

I'm rooting for Germany

German victory gives us better chances than Croatians

Cuz if we win against Austria more than 1:0 (which isn't impossible), then a draw in the last games lets Poland through.

Besides I'm rooting for Podolski :D

What about Klose?;)

[ajsU3C]

What about Klose?;)

Klose says that he is German of polish origin, while Podolski says he is Polish and German and lets say he's more attached to Poland.

its a slight differnce but makes me like him way more (not that I don't like Klose)

[benztown]

I'm pretty sure that they will...

Although the Croatians disappointed me against Austria, I still rate them higher than Poland (and the Poles were pretty good on Sunday) and expect a very close game between 2 teams which know each other very well.

Of course I hope we'll get revenge for 1998 ... predicting a 2:2 draw, though.




Your optimism is always admirable, dear Kiwi! ;)


Why so modest? :D

I'm always optimistic :p

Anyway, I expect to see a different line-up against Croatia. I don't think that Podolski will play in midfield again.

But since Poldi was MOTM against Poland, Löw will probably still play him, so Gomez will probably be out (although I'd rather see him in attack than Klose).

Fritz was great on the right flank, so he'll probably stay on the first team. Jansen was not very good against Poland but he'll definitely get another chance. He can be better and part of his problems came from Podolski being more offensive than your regular midfielder (hence Poldi not playing on the left against a more dangerous team like Croatia).

Which still leaves the position on the left. Löw has many options there, but I think it'll come down to either Hitzlsperger or Schweinsteiger. I'd think that Hitz would get the nod though. So this is the line-up I expect:

--------------------Lehmann
Lahm------Mertesacker------Metzelder------Jansen
--------------Frings------------Ballack
Fritz-----------------------------------Hitzlsperger
------------Klose---------------Podolski

[marcin79]

I've seen two different Croatian sides in two halves of their game against Austria. They were brilliant at the beginning, dominated and showed their technical supremacy. They could easily score second goal and have easier second half.

But in last 30 minutes, they look very tired. They had a lots of bad passes and they didn't have pace. If they will not improve it in the game against Germany, they will lose, whatever happens before 60th minute.

[Projekt4]

So this is the line-up I expect:

--------------------Lehmann
Lahm------Mertesacker------Metzelder------Jansen
--------------Frings------------Ballack
Fritz-----------------------------------Hitzlsperger
------------Klose---------------Podolski

You're expecting a striker like Gomez to be benched for Bundesliga mediocrity being played out of position (Hitzlsperger)...are you kidding me?

[nekkibasara]

You're expecting a striker like Gomez to be benched for Bundesliga mediocrity being played out of position (Hitzlsperger)...are you kidding me?
I predict we will see the same starting eleven as we did against Poland.

My prediction for the match: Germany leads 3:0 by the 25th minute (goals from Gomez x2, Klose). 2nd half Croatia gets one back, but Germany responds with a goal from Podolski in the 75th minute. Match ends 4:1.

[benztown]

You're expecting a striker like Gomez to be benched for Bundesliga mediocrity being played out of position (Hitzlsperger)...are you kidding me?

Hitzlsperger is not mediocre. He doesn't have the flair of someone like Podolski, but he is very solid in everything he does. Good positioning, best shot in team, great eye and great passes. A very intelligent player.

Also, he always plays that position in Stuttgart, so I don't know what you're getting at.

The point is, that while Podolski was great going forward, he mostly left Jansen all on his own in defense - on the right side, Lahm had the benefit of Fritz helping him when Poland was going forward so it was much easier to regain possession.