View Full Version : Quarterfinal matchup [R]
joebarnin
12 Jun 2008, 05:07 PM
Looks like Portugal - Germany is very likely in the quarterfinals. Portual will win Group A. They have six points and they have beaten the only teams that can finish with 6 also (so they win the head-to-head tiebreaker). Germany can't win Group B (they lose head-to-head tiebreaker to Croatia). So if Germany wins or ties they finish 2nd in the group. Portugal-Germany, here we come!
Rainer24
12 Jun 2008, 05:47 PM
Couldn't the Germans still win the group if Poland beat the Croatians and they then have a better goal record? Doubt it happens. I would still favor the Germans in match against the Portuguese, but not if their defenders don't step it up. They looked terrible today, so I'm just hoping it can't happen twice.
Chess_Panther
12 Jun 2008, 05:52 PM
Don't know we're allowed to discuss this match so soon...but here it goes...
I think Germany will fancy dead balls, especially in the air against us where we're more vulnerable. They'll try to play very direct football for their forwards.
Portugal can take the advantage of dominating the midfield and retain possession to explore from the wings to the middle or a 1-2 pass with N. Gomes since german CBs are slow.
If Germany decide to play with 2 defensive lines like Czech Republic then they might draw the game...but they don't have enough dynamic to counter-attack quickly. The link between the mid and the attack will be almost non-existant if they decide to go with the typical 4-4-2.
This can go 2 ways...Portugal plays well and crushes the german defense or misses easy opportunities and the germans kick us out in a dead ball situation. A draw is unlikely.
code1390
12 Jun 2008, 07:40 PM
Couldn't the Germans still win the group if Poland beat the Croatians and they then have a better goal record?
No. Head to head is the first tiebreaker and Croatia beat Germany.
Rainer24
12 Jun 2008, 09:13 PM
No. Head to head is the first tiebreaker and Croatia beat Germany.
Yeah, I wrote that before I knew that the Austrians had gotten that penalty. I was asking because had Poland won, then beaten Croatia (doubt it, but you never know), and Germany beat Austria, then you would have three teams on 6 points, each owning a head to head advantage over one of the other. Moot point now.
AFCA
13 Jun 2008, 06:38 AM
Well, should this matchup occur, and should Oranje make it to the final... I'd like to get germany.
OTOH, beating Portugal in the final would be great as well.
We still have to get out of group C alive though :rolleyes:
squidward123
13 Jun 2008, 07:20 AM
I think Germany will fancy dead balls, especially in the air against us where we're more vulnerable. They'll try to play very direct football for their forwards.
Do you know how shit germany's set pieces have been the past 3 years?
The crossing has been average too.
This can go 2 ways...Portugal plays well and crushes the german defense or misses easy opportunities and the germans kick us out in a dead ball situation.
jeez we ain't that crap! Germany can pass a ball and control a midfield you know :p
Mario Gomez to finally come to life, with Klose and Podolski, I can't see Portugal containing.
squidward123
13 Jun 2008, 07:38 AM
Mario Gomez to finally come to life, with Klose and Podolski, I can't see Portugal containing.
that's if mario gomez makes it to the qf. I think he will be given one more game to prove that he can click with klose - they are outta sync and both try things th other doesn't anticipate - and if not, I think they'll put podolski up front with klose and put pig (schweinsteiger) on the left. He or hitzlsperger. Pig has only been banned for 1 game so he is in with that chance.
benficafan3
13 Jun 2008, 08:06 AM
I expect Scolari to outcoach Loew.
squidward123
13 Jun 2008, 08:07 AM
luiiiiigii
msk06
14 Jun 2008, 03:05 AM
Ahem .. ahem ... does this thread count if Austria wins?
Ahem .. ahem ... does this thread count if Austria wins?
No. But good job Garics!
Lusankya
16 Jun 2008, 06:45 PM
Runner-ups from group B and D have a slight disadvantage because they can only rest two days also the groupwinners already knew they would win their group so they can rest their players 4 more days. H2H is worse than Hitler. :(
And the schedule is bad as well.
_R2N_
16 Jun 2008, 08:36 PM
Runner-ups from group B and D have a slight disadvantage because they can only rest two days also the groupwinners already knew they would win their group so they can rest their players 4 more days. H2H is worse than Hitler. :(
And the schedule is bad as well.
C'est la vie...
If they had secured the 1st place in the first 2 matches, they would have more time to rest.
Better luck next time...
Runner-ups from group B and D have a slight disadvantage because they can only rest two days also the groupwinners already knew they would win their group so they can rest their players 4 more days. H2H is worse than Hitler. :(
And the schedule is bad as well.
Awwwwwwwww, playing Poland and Austria was such a hardship. :rolleyes: lol
drahnier
17 Jun 2008, 12:05 AM
Judging only by their games so far, Portugals great playing with midfielders switching positions and making forward runs into the box with quick short-passing and scoring, and Deco playmaking brilliantly.
On the other side, Germany with a shaky back-line and Lehmann (even though Mertesacker is a great defender, he can't organize it on his own).
The offensive play not really working, and Klose and Gomez up front definitely not looking like they can score, especially Gomez.
Judging by this, Portugal should score like 3 goals.
Of course they won't win by that much, but they're still extremely clear favourites.
I always support Germany, and i always tend to be negative about the teams i support, but they have really not looked good in the group stage.
Of course we've seen lots of times an amazing offensive team suddenly being completely shut down by an opponent for no apparent reason, especially in these big games, so clearly it's still all open.
PS. Gomez should not play, and Ballack should make more forward runs.
Germany's offensive is more threatening IMO, and if Portugal push forward with their mid like they normally do, Germany will catch them with a counter. Germany is the favorite IMO, they have the forwards that can make the difference.
Lusankya
17 Jun 2008, 02:52 AM
C'est la vie...
If they had secured the 1st place in the first 2 matches, they would have more time to rest.
Better luck next time...
You think, I criticize this rule because Germany is involved? That's totally wrong. If Germany had won vs croatia, croatia would be in a mess.
Do you really like a rule which benefits 3 sure groupwinners after only two matchdays? And that's only one of many drawbacks.
I mean there have to be runner-ups, and especially those of group B and D are at a disadvantage.