Austria v. Germany [R]

[Lusankya]

stranger things have happened...
http://euro2008.worldcupblog.org/files/2008/06/2008-06-16.jpg

about that "unfair" stuff: that's absolute nonsense..every team knows what the tournament rules are before the first match, right ?!
So if they know it's unfair it's not unfair anymore?
H2H has many more disadvantages. Do you remember Italy 2004?

I already made an analysis, but unfortunately only in german. Maybe I'm going to translate it during the next days. But I am very busy because of college.

[squidward123]

Ahh...close but no cigar. :cool:

Austria, despite being a fairly weak squad, almost pulled it off tonight! Had the referee given the blatant penalty in the first half against Germany, perhaps we would be talking of a shocking defeat for the Mannschaft tonight.

I don't remember the penalty. Remind me?

Keep in mind though - had gomez finished from 2 yards the game might have turned out totally differently.

Exactly. They show no signs of turning it around. We won't know until they play again, but anyone who thinks these guys have a chance a Portugal the way they are playing now is just being a blind optimist.

Do you think they might play a lot more freely now that they don't have the pressure of trying to qualify anymore on them?

Also, going in as underdogs in the eyes of the german and world media might help that effect as well.

[squidward123]

No, with this performance they will be lucky to lose with a three goal margin.
Still shocked.

I would say they would be unlucky to lose by 3 goals with this performance against portugal, as you're counting on portugal being clinical with their chances. Clinical like holland.

I didn't think the game was as bad as I think you thought it was. Sure, we were mediocre. 4-5/10 performance if the usual over the last 2 years is a full 10. But I never felt we wouldn't get the point we need at any stage of the match.

I think that the head to head thing is screwed up. Goal difference is better.

[Reich]

oh god, that was so bad. the only positive thing is that we are in the next round. what is even worse than the performance of the german squad is the actual question: what is wrong with the team? it looked like the players were exhausted or something. no technique, no heart, no power, no speed, no class, no passion, no fighting spirit...this team looks like the total opposite of what made them great 2 years ago.

someone questioned here if it would be better under klinsi and my answer would be: HELL YES!
klinsi kicked them in the nuts when they did not play 120%.
the german team under klinsi at least put on a great show when they lost...this team...i don't know...i have the feeling they are afraid of something??


one thing is for sure. with this attitude, with this kind of play today, portugal is gonna shred us apart. but maybe that's what they need. maybe they play better when they are the underdog. i hope for a wonder till thursday.

[fh 1]

I've just seen the goal by Ballack, incredible shot!.

One question to German fans: Where would be Germany without Ballack (and Lahm)?

[squidward123]

One question to German fans: Where would be Germany without Ballack (and Lahm)?

Is this a serious question? Because if it isn't then there's no point asking it.

[ForeverRed]

Is this a serious question? Because if it isn't then there's no point asking it.

I think it was a rhetorical question, one to which a lot of truth is attached.

[squidward123]

I think it was a rhetorical question, one to which a lot of truth is attached.

yeah but whats the point in asking. these last 2 pages have the answers

[ForeverRed]

yeah but whats the point in asking. these last 2 pages have the answers

Well he was probably taking a shot at Germany. There are a lot of football supporters who dislike Germany for one reason or another.

[fh 1]

I do not dislike Germany!
Where do you got this from??

Just want to express, that Germany relies on these two players, who have international class. The rest is average. some of them even below average.

IMO, this is no winner team, like so many other German teams before, a lot of quality is missing, one can't compensate this just with will and fighting spirit.

The forwards are nothing special (Gomez awful, Klose weak), the defense swims with a stronger opponent. Just the midfield is good with excellent Ballack and the others running and working for him and Lahm running the line up and down like mad. That's the German game, in short.

[squidward123]

Just want to express, that Germany relies on these two players, who have international class. The rest is average. some of them even below average.

IMO, this is no winner team, like so many other German teams before, a lot of quality is missing, one can't compensate this just with will and fighting spirit.

The forwards are nothing special (Gomez awful, Klose weak), the defense swims with a stronger opponent. Just the midfield is good with excellent Ballack and the others running and working for him and Lahm running the line up and down like mad. That's the German game, in short.

yeah, in the last 2 games.

[benztown]

Head to head is the best way to determine a group winner in a tournament. Seriously. It comes with some trade offs, but ultimately, it's the fairest way. And I say that even though I'm German and our team is on the receiving end of the rule this time.

[squidward123]

Head to head is the best way to determine a group winner in a tournament.

if you want to top a group of 4 teams, use a stat that directly involves all 4 teams in relation to you

[SONICMASD]

well, i think Germany is capable and will step up their game against Portugal but they will have much less time to rest and they are already looking very slow.

The Portuguese are playing better than the Germans in pretty much every position except striker and goalie, I think this will be a good victory for Portugal. And it will be good for Portugal, cuz had they been facing Austria they would have slacked off, not taken it seriously, and probably lost. Now, they'll focus.

[ForeverRed]

The Portuguese are playing better than the Germans in pretty much every position except striker and goalie.

And LB of course. ;)

[SONICMASD]

And LB of course. ;)

yeah i would take Lahm over Ferreira but, Ferreira has actually been very solid so its not a huge deal, i was talking about defense as a whole though.

should be a great game.

[Borussia]

Woohoo!! for the first time! Germany to the quarter final after 12 years of wait!!!

That's the only positive conclusion together with the fact that Ballack (what a superb strike!) avoided a yellow card last night. Except for Lahm, all players suddenly seem to be out of form after the good start against Poland (at least we proved to cope with the pressure). But hey, who knows ... maybe it's just tactics in order to make the Portuguese underestimate us on Thursday! :p ;)


Congrats to Austria on another very solid performance, they played a lot better than many had expected! If they had some good strikers, they might have been able to produce a big upset...

[Lusankya]

Head to head is the best way to determine a group winner in a tournament. Seriously. It comes with some trade offs, but ultimately, it's the fairest way. And I say that even though I'm German and our team is on the receiving end of the rule this time.
Maybe you want to read this: http://www.fussball-forum.de/viewtopic.php?t=24894&start=0
It's in german.
If you read my analysis you will see, that H2H is by far the worst method in such a small group. (It also sucks in qualification groups and championships)

I don't dislike H2H because Germany might be affected. I already criticized this rule long before the tournament in this forum.

[Borussia]

well, i think Germany is capable and will step up their game against Portugal but they will have much less time to rest and they are already looking very slow.


But we have Bastian Schweinsteiger...:p:D

[HerrRupert]

Do you think that Germany can win versus Portugal with this performance?
Lahm was the best player in all three matches.

germany plays shyt and wins they might go far weve seen it before