[joebarnin]

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]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by Rainer24

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]

Originally Posted by code1390

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]

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

[squidward123]

Originally Posted by Chess_Panther

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

[FNU]

Mario Gomez to finally come to life, with Klose and Podolski, I can't see Portugal containing.

[squidward123]

Originally Posted by FNU

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.

[FNU]

Super Mario!