Match #31 :: The Final :: Sunday 29 June [R]

[HerrRupert]

If you read an earlier post I stated that since Klinsmann and this tournament Germany have played an attractive attacking style of soccer. That said I am curious if the Germans revert to their old ways of dealing with more skillful teams. What happens if Spain puts Germany off their game by forcing Germany to defend rather than attack? In the past Germany would start knocking the players doing the attacking. Germany like Spain, Italy and Holland all have very unique styles to their play. I don't think you can change that style in 4 years.

helmet on whatever it takes results count ole

[Alberto]

Absolutely. But they were somehow unexpected, since the Turks had the ball posession and the Germans didn't look like they were going to score.

I do like german football and I think you guys have the ability to do simple but very effective and precise plays without the need to dominate (in a traditional sense) the play. I'd like to add that even just after the 2-2 I never expected Turkey to win.

When Germany are on their game, you see a economy of movement in the most positive sense. There is always good defense, but the build up is accomplished with precise passing, both short and medium length. You see good diagonal runs and well off the ball. There is no holding of the ball there is always a quick change in direction to attack the defense. Good direct play, probing and deep runs into the attacking third from the midfielders and excellent work in finishing by the forwards.

[PiriPiri_&_futebol]

even thou i would love to see the spainards win...i just think the german team is much stronger, mentally prepared, experienced and well organized unit. They will win this thing.

[Borussia]

You may not like it, but it's true. I've seen Germany play skillful, good soccer and then revert to thuggery when their opponents were more skillful.

Have you seen the WC final 2002? I doubt it...


Elements of this hard German style that come immediately to mind were in the quarter final in Japan Korea 2002 against the US. In France 1998, against the USA opening match and against Mexico in the quarter-finals.


So you wanna tell us that USA is technically superior to Germany? C'mon, don't make me laugh! :-)



Typcially Germany will send a message early in attempt to take one or the two most skillful players off their game by hard challenges. You don't watch German soccer if you are unaware of this tactic.


Tell me just 1 single example when it happened in this tournament...


I think you'll find every non-portugese knows it was the sloppiness at setpieces which cost Portugal, in open play they were a class above Germany.

Then you must have seen a totally different game (especially in the 1st half) ... or just need better glasses! :p

[Borussia]

I'd say Germany is favourite, not us.


Nice joke. :p ;)


i just think the german team is much stronger, mentally prepared, experienced and well organized unit.


Yep, we could admire that perfectly against Turkey...:p

This team has 2 faces, so let's see which one it's showing on Sunday.

[footyfan1]

even thou i would love to see the spainards win...i just think the german team is much stronger, mentally prepared, experienced and well organized unit. They will win this thing.

You ever get the feeling someone is a team of destiny?? That's what I feel about Spain right now. It's like it's just their time.

I'm sure some of you feel the same way about Germany.

I still don't know who will win, but that's the feeling I get from Spain's run.

I also know you bet against the Germans in any final at your own peril.

I'm expecting a classic.

[footyfan1]

Nice joke. :p ;)

I'm with you there. I'd definitely say the undefeated team going in is the favorite.



This team (Germany) has 2 faces, so let's see which one it's showing on Sunday.

Exactly. Well said!

[Borussia]

Btw: The "battle of Vienna" has already started in my neighbourhood, too! :-)

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/3226/pic1402ny5.jpg

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/9224/pic1394lf7.jpg


What about THIS (http://www.transfermarkt.de/de/spieler/6288/mariogomez/profil.html) guy coming in after the interval and scoring the winner? :p


PS: What a shame that the UEFA granted only 10,000 tickets to both fanships! So who gets the other 30,000 tix?

[benztown]

My prediction is Spain 2 Germany 1
If I win the right hot babe will do anything I want :p


http://estaticos02.cache.el-mundo.net/eurocopa/2008/albumes/2008/06/26/espana_celebraciones/42d0bc67748fe0447c49e161898894e3_extras_albumes_0.jpg (http://www.elmundo.es/eurocopa/2008/albumes/2008/06/26/espana_celebraciones/index_14.html)

And if not, the girl on the left will do with you what she wants! :p

[footyfan1]

What about THIS (http://www.transfermarkt.de/de/spieler/6288/mariogomez/profil.html) guy coming in after the interval and scoring the winner? :p

That would be a story and a half......


PS: What a shame that the UEFA granted only 10,000 tickets to both fanships! So who gets the other 30,000 tix?

They went to UEFA's people, people who won a ticket lottery and ticket/travel agencies who will give UEFA a cut of what they make from them.

[Rainer24]

Spain are the favorites, but Germany are just winners. No clue what will happen.

[FNU]

I think if Spain's defense holds like it has been, they can win this easily. Klose and Podolski, along with Piggy, are going to be huge threats.

[+Gooner+]

I cannot stress how important getting a well refereed game is to the outcome of this match. Germany typically stops playing with skill when their opponent is more technically gifted and resorts to hacking the life out of the opponents most skillful players. This is the German modus operandi, and I expect the first shot will be fired seconds after a skillful Spanish player gains possession of the ball. The referee should be mindful of this and set the tone early by cautioning negative football. Persistent infringement against the most skillful player(s) by various defenders will also be part of the strategy to scare the opponent and get them off their game.

What the hell are you talking about? Germany has a non-tackling policy aka. only pressure the player and if that is not enough, then tackle. We have the least fouls committed in this tournament and were among the Top 10 of the fairest teams of the Euro qualifiers. You want teams who try to hack the life out of better oppositions? Than look at butchers like Scotland.

[+Gooner+]

Absolutely. But they were somehow unexpected, since the Turks had the ball posession and the Germans didn't look like they were going to score.

I do like german football and I think you guys have the ability to do simple but very effective and precise plays without the need to dominate (in a traditional sense) the play. I'd like to add that even just after the 2-2 I never expected Turkey to win.

Well, in the end football is about who scores more goals and not about possession. Believe me, I know what I am talking about. I am an Arsenal fan and we have this obession to believe that if we show pretty passing and have lots of possession we somehow think we deserve to win the game, even if the opponent takes his chances well and scores one more. :o

[footyfan1]

And if not, the girl on the left will do with you what she wants! :p

I can think of worse consolation prizes! ;)

[canadianscraggledog]

The Villa injury is not the end of Spain. They played better with only 1 forward.

I think this should be the lineup:


-------------------- Casillas

Ramos---------Puyol---------Marchena-----Capdevila

-----------------------Senna

Xavi------Alonso---Cesc--------Silva

-------------------------Torres

Though I'm sure Iniesta will start ahead of Alonso. I think this is a mistake. Iniesta has been poor overall.

[FNU]

Rosetti remembers his roots Friday 27 June, 2008
Italian referee Roberto Rosetti claims life in Serie A has prepared him to take charge of Sunday’s Euro 2008 Final.

A hospital manager by profession, Rosetti gets the honour of officiating the Vienna finale of the European Championship between Spain and Germany.

The 40-year-old blew the first whistle of the tournament when he refereed Switzerland-Czech Republic – a game in which he missed two handballs in the box.

But despite the protests of the Swiss camp, Rosetti is ready for the biggest day of his career.

“There is no need for special motivation – the motivation is obvious,” he told Euro2008.com.

“It’s clear that it isn’t good to be over-motivated at these events. It is important to summon all your energy to keep up the right intensity.”

Rosetti believes that his experiences in Serie A have helped him reach the very top of the game.

“I have to say that the football played in Italy throws up lots of important decisions and so you get great experience in the big matches there,” he explained.

“For a game like Sunday’s, great mental preparation is essential, as it is generally for a referee.

“You also need the courage necessary for making the crucial decisions.”

Rosetti won plaudits for consoling Croatia’s Mladen Petric after his side lost the quarter-final to Turkey on penalties.

“It was absolutely spontaneous,” he recalled. “I think it’s not the player but the human being behind him that is important and the same goes for the referee.”

Rosetti has just one wish that won’t be fulfilled in European football’s showpiece game.

“Of course we hear the anthems of the teams, but there is another team on the pitch,” he said.

“I would like it if they played the national anthem of the refereeing team as well.”

It is also a special day for Italian assistant referees Alessandro Griselli and Paolo Calcagno, who will run the line at the Ernst Happel Stadion.


http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/imgs/rosettinews.jpg

[QuakeAttack]

Should be fun. I just hope for a good game.

In the big games, you see set plays become very important. I believe this gives an advantage to Germany. However, if Spain can score first, I think Germany will have a tough time getting the ball back (Spain is great at taking the air out of the ball). Also, I would expect Spain to attack the centerbacks on the ground.

I don't think Sweinstager will be as effective, but Polodski will be a factor. Klose is an unknown (similar to Torres). I think Torres will play better and be able to handle the physcial nature of Germany in the back due to his time in the EPL.

I believe Spain's bench is a little deeper than Germany's.

However, in the end, it's a mental game. If Spain is patient and plays within themselves, I think that it will be hard for them to lose. However, if they get caught up in the event, Germany will win.

[vtqn]

I would start Guiza over Torres. I got on the Liverpool bandwagon because of Torres. However, Torres' first touch has been atrocious through out the tournament. He could have had a few good chances against the Russians if his first touches were better.

[uclacarlos]

What is that supposed to mean? The goals were well constructed.
"To pull something out of one's ass" is a colloquialism that is a compliment to the German's ability to dig deep despite the pressure and score goals against an opponent that seemed to be a team of destiny.

It means "to make up" or, in this case, "to pull out of nowhere".

The Germans had their backs to the wall against an inspired opponent and pulled a couple of goals out of their ass.