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

[uclacarlos]

If you take out Portugal where Germany was impressive and Italy where Spain was ok :

Spain have played Russia twice, Sweden and then Greece (in a dead rubber). Those are not harder opponents than Poland, Croatia, Austria and Turkey. Since 2 and arguably 3 of them were highly emotional derbies for the opponent against Germany, you could say the opponents have been harder for Germany. Taking into account the balances of play of that set of games, there isn't much difference there between Germany and Spain.
In this post and the others where you tried to defend it, you really sell the Spanish team short. And you sell Sweden, Greece and Russia short. And in so doing, you sell teams like Holland short.

This is a fantastic match-up against 2 teams that have shown that they are a notch above the competition, which itself has been formidable!! This is undeniable.

It's ridiculous to discredit either of these teams. Any poster that does so should be taken to task.

Cheers to all the German posters who recognize their team's strengths and weaknesses and Spain's strengths and weaknesses. Likewise for the Spanish posters.

Neither team is perfect. They're just damn good, and that's a fact. Should be a great game. :)

[Cris 09]

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.

Is this for real? You secretly write for goal.com, don't you?

A horribly biased post based on absolutly nothing...

Other than Schweiny's red card for supidity more than anything else, Germany are a contender for the "Fair Play" award!

[Abebe]

I think the Spanish are getting much more confidant, which could get really, really interesting.

I wouldlove to have a powerhouse Spanish footbal with their style inthe world game.

Germany do not respond with their best until they are down which is what I hope happens.

I really think Cesc Fabregas has to start. What a player.

I hope Podolski shows his best as well.

[Cris 09]

This is a fantastic match-up against 2 teams that have shown that they are a notch above the competition, which itself has been formidable!! This is undeniable.

It's ridiculous to discredit either of these teams. Any poster that does so should be taken to task.

Cheers to all the German posters who recognize their team's strengths and weaknesses and Spain's strengths and weaknesses. Likewise for the Spanish posters.

Neither team is perfect. They're just damn good, and that's a fact. Should be a great game. :)


Bottom line, Spain has more depth and perhaps the squad as a whole has more talent than Germany...on paper - but this is why the games are played.

Germany will need more than just a Ballack freekick, a Klose header or a Schweinsteiger tap after a Podolski cross to win this one. Can they do it, sure...but its going to be hard as hell!

[ForeverRed]

Dumb stereotypes and obvious bias aside.....

Even though Spain are favorites Germany will be no pushovers simply because of whats on the line. They've shown a streak complacency so far but if German supporters are to take comfort in one thing it is their ability to step up and score when it matters, which is what we've done so far very effectively.

I expect Spain to outplay Germany and possibly have more goal scoring chances but I'm hoping for the clinical finishing and effectiveness in front of goal that we've seen so far.

A lot will come down to mental readyness and discipline as well. Both defenses are shaky and could make costly mistakes. The midfield is another key area. It'll be interesting to see how Ballack handles Senna man marking him.

[Abebe]

I don't think the Germans want to hear this, but Torres is looking for a break-out game and this is his big chance on the world stage.

[+Gooner+]

I don't think the Germans want to hear this, but Torres is looking for a break-out game and this is his big chance on the world stage.

You mean with the national team? That is lovely for him but I think Ronaldo tried to prove that for his country as well and it kind of didn't work. We have a similar case, much worse though. Gomez was Germany's footballer of the year, scored everything into the ground but at the Euros he failed miserably. Not that Torres failed because I think he did rather well, but I don't see him emerge as Mr Superworldclass on Sunday.

If he does nontheless I will gladly eat my own words of course.

[1a Schnitzel]

My feelings in all that are a little less harsh.

What would happen if we win? I would jump around in the room for half an hour, go to bed happily but then what? Monday back to work and life remains as it always was. Soon games will come that we loose, soon a next european championship will take place and we wont win it, so what.

All I realy hope for is 90 minutes of good fighting. I know the world will watch the match and I know both teams take it seriously as hell, putting all energy into it that they may have. Thats all I hope, the rest is just cosmetics for the nationalists.

[Cris 09]

My feelings in all that are a little less harsh.

What would happen if we win? I would jump around in the room for half an hour, go to bed happily but then what? Monday back to work and life remains as it always was. Soon games will come that we loose, soon a next european championship will take place and we wont win it, so what.

All I realy hope for is 90 minutes of good fighting. I know the world will watch the match and I know both teams take it seriously as hell, putting all energy into it that they may have. Thats all I hope, the rest is just cosmetics for the nationalists.

Yeah, you are right...




It is a little harsh and ridiculous...sorry. Perhaps you should just stick to club football.


I, on the other hand be the only one waving a German flag on my block here in Syracuse, NY, 5 days away from the 4th of July and I'll be proud to do it!!!!

[Abebe]

You mean with the national team? That is lovely for him but I think Ronaldo tried to prove that for his country as well and it kind of didn't work. We have a similar case, much worse though. Gomez was Germany's footballer of the year, scored everything into the ground but at the Euros he failed miserably. Not that Torres failed because I think he did rather well, but I don't see him emerge as Mr Superworldclass on Sunday.

If he does nontheless I will gladly eat my own words of course.

I watched the Spain semi-final a second time and he looked like he was just getting closer to getting things working again. If the coach shows a lot of faith in him, I really feel he could light it up Sunday.

I am completely perplexed by Gomes because I did not know him, but he looks like he has worlds of class. I could not believe that he walked around aimlessly around the goal mouth in one game with the ball up for grabs; it looks like confidence issues to me

[+Gooner+]

I watched the Spain semi-final a second time and he looked like he was just getting closer to getting things working again. If the coach shows a lot of faith in him, I really feel he could light it up Sunday.

I am completely perplexed by Gomes because I did not know him, but he looks like he has worlds of class. I could not believe that he walked around aimlessly around the goal mouth in one game with the ball up for grabs; it looks like confidence issues to me

Absolutely. He usually is a 100% deadly finisher but after he had this first really bad miss against Poland he lost all his confidence and it got only worse. Shit happens I guess. Others might have shrugged it off but it is his first big tournament and everyone in Germany expected him to emerge as top goalscorer and all so there was a lot of pressure on him. I feel bad for him. He looks very mature but one tends to forget he is only 22, a kid, and still pretty new to the national team. The likes of Podolski a real routiniers already despite their youth.

Oh well, with all that quality on the pitch it is at least bound to be a smashing final, right? :)

[JeremyEritrea]

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


Rosetti is an excellent ref, probably the best in Serie A.

[Abebe]

Rosetti is an excellent ref, probably the best in Serie A.

Does he like using the cards?

[Oscar]

I seem to recall him doing well in the games he had, not entirely sure though.

I hope he was joking about playing the national anthem for the country of the referee's though.

[Campioni_2006]

Hmm. I can't decide who I hate more... Germany or Spain? :D

Just kidding. But a small part of me wants to see Spain win.

[Cris 09]

I hope he was joking about playing the national anthem for the country of the referee's though.

Yeah, that's pretty silly!

Officiating for a confederation and playing for your country = not the same! :rolleyes:

[Abebe]

Absolutely. He usually is a 100% deadly finisher but after he had this first really bad miss against Poland he lost all his confidence and it got only worse. Shit happens I guess. Others might have shrugged it off but it is his first big tournament and everyone in Germany expected him to emerge as top goalscorer and all so there was a lot of pressure on him. I feel bad for him. He looks very mature but one tends to forget he is only 22, a kid, and still pretty new to the national team. The likes of Podolski a real routiniers already despite their youth.

Oh well, with all that quality on the pitch it is at least bound to be a smashing final, right? :)


It's all on the line. Penalties will be exciting.

[Caesar]

Excuse me..I just got a laugh on that...
Well they weren't. At no stage during the tournament did they have the shortest odds to win the title.

[Cris 09]

It's all on the line. Penalties will be exciting.

I do not want to see a penalty shootout. Germany's luck with penalties cannot go on forever!!!

[+Gooner+]

I do not want to see a penalty shootout. Germany's luck with penalties cannot go on forever!!!

Luck? We don't win them by luck, we win them because our players don't take penaltys that can be saved and because our goalkeeper always save the ones that can be saved because every nation with exception of Germany bottles at least one pk. So yes please, bring on the pso! :D