Austria v. Germany [R]

[Borussia]

I've never seen Germany play so bad as against Croatia


Then you missed a certain "Portugal vs Germany" match during the group stage of the EC 2000. :-)


With a little bit of luck and an impartial referee (the most difficult part), I think Austria can win this one.

I'll be rooting for them! :cool:

Austria 1-0 Germany.


So you really prefer playing a strong host team (they were superb against Croatia & Poland for 45 minutes) instead of a bad German team (look at the 1st half against Croatia) in the 1/4 finals? ;)

[ForeverRed]

Then you missed a certain "Portugal vs Germany" match during the group stage of the EC 2000. :-)

Or Germany v. Latvia four years ago.

[fh 1]

Germany should better score an early goal.

If not, they'll become more and more nervous and in the last 15 minutes there will be panic.

I don't think that Austria will attack from the beginning, like against Poland, but they also won't play so passively like the first half of Croatia game.
If I were their coach, I would try to block the German midfield, especially Ballack and endure German attacks as long as possible. Then the last 15-20 minutes I would start to execute much more pressure on their defense and hope for German faults, due to nervousness and fear.
But if Germans score early and Austria opens totally to get an equalizer, the hosts could be crushed 5:0 or something.

[TariboWest33]

Easy win for Germany
http://dl-share.org/forum/images/smilies/croger2lj9.gif

[NumberSoul]

I would be really happy if Austria beat Germany. Though I would want Poland to go through it would feel very unsatisfing seeing how Austria would deserve it more.

[Todorov]

So you really prefer playing a strong host team (they were superb against Croatia & Poland for 45 minutes) instead of a bad German team (look at the 1st half against Croatia) in the 1/4 finals? ;)

Certainly, Germany's team is quite average but still it is much better than Austria's. Although Austria would have the public on their side, it would be far better to play them than to play Germany, at least theoretically.

However, that's not why I'll be rooting for Austria. I have a spot soft for them and I usually root for the underdogs.

[Big_Bavaria]

Germany will win..... they was bad last game but they came back now better than ever !!! :D

[Tetsuo]

Germany are clear favourites, but if they underestimate the austrians it can result in a surprise. (or if the referee will favor the hosts)

[Cris 09]

We definitly looked scared shitless against Croatia...

Other than Croatia playing a compact game, Germany just didn't show up to play.

They didn't look scared as much as they looked disintrested until they got scored on...then they looked lost and then frustrated because they knew they were blowing it while Croatia kept their cool and dicipline, but at no time did Germany appear scared! But thats another thread...

This will be a hard fought match!! I really think it could go either way!! As far as the fans and Austria playing at home...let's hope a lot of German fans make it out there and the ref has a good (fair) match!

If Germany make it through, I think I'll be just as relieved as I will be happy. If they loose, I'm already prepared for it. Let's hope the NT have more confidence than I do.

[squidward123]

what's wrong with you guys. One game against a good team where we were outmaneuovred but lost narrowly and you lose confidence in the ability to draw against austria?

there has been nothing so far that should make that happen.

[MicFW]

A lot of overconfidence again huh? Surprises and big upsets can happen even in the most unimaginable circumstances. Austria is especially poised to pull an upset. They have their home fans to cheer them on, qualification to the quarter finals and ever important historic rivalry. You can't get more motivation than that.

If any German supporter or neutral observer thinks this is in the bag for Germany already, you may just end up incredibly shocked. The Jeckyl & Hyde form of Germany may continue.

Austria played much better so far than many expected, and it won't be an easy game for us. On the other hand, motivation shouldn't be a problem this time.

[TariboWest33]

Austria seek another miracle of Cordoba

Euro 2008 co-hosts Austria will invoke the spirit of Cordoba against Germany on Monday and the prize this time could be more than just a sense of schadenfreude.
At the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, an Austrian team with no chance of qualification beat West Germany 3-2 to take the reigning champions out of the tournament with them.
Thirty years on from that great upset, Austria have a chance to go one better.
A point would be enough for Germany to go through as Group B runners-up behind Croatia but victory for Austria could take them into the last eight at the expense of their old rivals, provided Poland do not beat Croatia by a bigger margin.
A 50,000 crowd will give the Austrians fervent backing in the capital but the cold reality is that Germany, despite a poor performance in their 2-1 defeat by Croatia, remain overwhelming favourites to get the point they need to go through.
That was acknowledged by Austria coach Josef Hickersberger, who played in that famous win in Cordoba -- Austria's only victory over Germany at a major tournament.
"You don't often win against Germany, at least not if you are Austria," he said. "You know the statistics. I can't remember when Germany have lost twice in a row."
VIDEO: AUSTRIA - GERMANY 3:2 (Hans Krankl goal) (http://vinovo.magnify.net/item/KG53V4P97P1TKWT6)

[Tuco]

Had this match been Austria's tournament opener, I wouldn't be as pessmistic. Now that it's the final match of the group stage, Germany won't be fooled twice.

While I don't expect to see a Mexico vs Bahamas blowout, the wealth of quality Germany's team has is more than enough to convince me Austria's chances of winning tomorrow are as good as their odds of winning their WCQ group. =D

Austria 0-2 Germany

[fh 1]

I've watched the friendly Austria 0:3 Germany several months ago and despite the result never had the impression that Germany would outclass Austria, in fact Austrians were practically equal on the pitch.
Of course, the Austrians have incapable strikers, but they've missed already so many scoring opportunities the first two matches, it's time to realize something.

Also, Austrians have nothing to lose, while Germany is under pressure.

Don't misunderstand me, everything than German victory would be a huge surprise.

[ForeverRed]

I've watched the friendly Austria 0:3 Germany several months ago and despite the result never had the impression that Germany would outclass Austria, in fact Austrians were practically equal on the pitch.
Of course, the Austrians have incapable strikers, but they've missed already so many scoring opportunities the first two matches, it's time to realize something.

Also, Austrians have nothing to lose, while Germany is under pressure.

Don't misunderstand me, everything than German victory would be a huge surprise.

The Austrians even outplayed us in some stretches of that game. But as has been the story for them in this tournament, their lack of finishing bit them in the arse.

[F96]

The Austrians even outplayed us in some stretches of that game. But as has been the story for them in this tournament, their lack of finishing bit them in the arse.

Let's just hope their's continue and others ends.

[stiffmeister]

I'll eat my shorts if Germany looses this game. I mean wtf? Where does this austrian optimizam come from?

[F96]

I'll eat my shorts if Germany looses this game. I mean wtf? Where does this austrian optimizam come from?

Well, I don't really think they are that optimistic but they sure are playing mind games and want to increase the pressure on the german team via the media.

[lonelycowboy]

I'll eat my shorts if Germany looses this game. I mean wtf? Where does this austrian optimizam come from?

Media. Dont take newspapers as the only truth and/or what "the Austrians" are thinking (there are 8 Million of them). BIG MISTAKE in every case - dont let your opinion be prearranged by the media.

Chance for Austria to win is minimal.

[glennaldo_sf]

Winner plays Portugal. I would love to see Austria pull off the upset but I don't think it will happen... Portugal v Germany would be one hell of a QF.