[masto22]

We are almost sure that Portugal is a better team than Germany.
Can the history be so important?

[WorldCup_Fanatic]

Cool. I was just about to create the thread for this. Looking forward to the match-up.

[1shot1kill]

1 of the few Germany matches where I will be supporting the Germans.

[BigHeadTodd]

Hi all....first time poster here so take it easy on me please. Fun to read (since the '06 WC) and now be a part of a truly world-wide message board.

Really looking forward to this matchup. I think Germany has some concerns for this QF....they are pretty banged up (with Frings broken rib, and Podolski's calf in poor shape), and will be without coach Low. Portugal on the other hand is well rested and appear to be in pretty good form. Portugal plays with such grace, Germany is so powerful and usually, somehow, someway is successful in the later stages....I can't wait.

How would you fans (of Germany especially) assess the play of Super Mario for this tourney? I was really looking forward to watching him and I must say he has been very unimpressive....super he has not been. Overwhelmed? Just outplayed? His whiff and then laziness on that perfect ball from Klose was just brutal.

Why not start Schweiny and put Podolski (if he can play) up front with Klose, and bench Gomez?

BHT

[Cris 09]

Originally Posted by BigHeadTodd

How would you fans (of Germany especially) assess the play of Super Mario for this tourney?

Crap!

[Little fairy]

I´m so hoping Blöd is right with this german line up:

[drahnier]

Is that lineup trustworthy?

Frings being in it is the biggest thing, without Frings this match is much closer to being screwed.
And the putting Ballack right behind the attackers instead of a second attacker might be good because Ballack hasn't been going forward enough.

Of course Hitzlsperger sure isn't great.

And either he or Frings would need to go forward a lot during attacks, but Frings is good offensively too.

[Little fairy]

Its Bild, they have their football spies everywhere. The last line up against Austria were 100% correct...hours ago before Löw annouced it. Great tactical strike of Löw and needed in this match imo.

Well to Frings: There are only 2 possibilities: Löw have to bound Frings on a lamppost before entering the stadium to hinder him from playing or Frings will play. This ridiculous little injury won´t stop him on his way to the title. Noo not a Frings.

But to be more serious: Rolfes will come in then. 1th sub for Frings when he isn´t fit. Well as fit you can be with a broken rip...

[Cris 09]

Originally Posted by Little fairy

Its Bild, they have their football spies everywhere. The last line up against Austria were 100% correct...hours ago before Löw annouced it. Great tactical strike of Löw and needed in this match imo.

Well to Frings: There are only 2 possibilities: Löw have to bound Frings on a lamppost before entering the stadium to hinder him from playing or Frings will play. This ridiculous little injury won´t stop him on his way to the title. Noo not a Frings.

But to be more serious: Rolfes will come in then. 1th sub for Frings when he isn´t fit. Well as fit you can be with a broken rip...

great quote from Platini as your sig...
Concur with the rest of your post. Frings could very well start and be subbed at half. This might be a waste of a sub but not as epic a lossas bringing in Odonkor while losing to Croatia...

As far as Rolfes...sheesh, I'm not sure. I mean if Mario was nervous v Austria how would Rolfes do v Portugal in a QF??

[Rainer24]

Germany has sort of been crap so far, but that said, 2-0 for Germany.