Latvia v Germany [R]

Thank goodness someone finally mentioned it, sheesh. Is it just me or has it been a really long time now since the Germans have played? The same for the Dutch, unless I missed something big it seems like they have had about a whole week to rejuvenate. Other than that I have little to say, I suppose a more aggressive formation MIGHT be a better idea b/c I highly doubt Latvia has a world-class strikers like RvN (albeit the Dutch apparently weren't playing well but whatever...)

When game time comes, keep us posted please!

 

0-0 at half time, pretty disapointing peformance by Germany compared to their performance against Holland. There were a couple of good chances by Kuranyi and Ballack but Latvia had the best of chacnes with Bauman making some defensive mistakes.

 

0-0 final...Sounds like Germany couldn't connect with any crosses nor did they have that many good chances.

 

i watched the whole game. Disapointed with germanys performance just like you said. latvia came out strong this game.

Klose had a very good chance to end the game but was no wher e near the net.

we are luky that they didnt get any peanalty shoots. i forgot his name, number 9 on latvia was fast he had chances.


LETS HOPE THAT HOLLAND LOSES!!!

 

The real Germany showed up. Those were imposters earlier in the week. What an atrocious effort across the board and if not for predictably inept English referring it could've been 1-0 or 2-0 Latvia.

The only positive, besides Lahm who continues to show he'll be a dynamic player for years to come, is that this surely is the final nail in the Voeller coffin.

 

Germany has to beat the Czech Republic to advance. Good luck.

The Netherlands are going to destroy Latvia.

 

Yep, at least they have strikers, I expect Ruud to score a hattrick.

If they don't win at least one match they don't deserve to advance.

I'm not that disappointed, they played like I expected before the start of the tounament, I got my hopes high though after the almost win against Holland!

Oh my....

 

Not necessarily. Latvia played inspired soccer today -- way above their perceived level coming into the tournament. Holland is demoralized after their (apparently ref-assisted) meltdown against the Czechs. Latvia's still in this... they're not going to roll over for the orange, and Germany has a way of getting up for big matches.

We have our fate in our own hands going into the third match. Not a bad position, 'specially against a squad that's already qualified for the quarters.

Los jetzt, Jungs... Zuerst Tschechien, dann ganz Europa!

Oh yes... and Go Latvia!!

 

Reading the match stats, Germany had 23 shots, 9 of them on goal, compared to only 6 shots total for Latvia. They also dominated possesion. So not all is bad. They simply could not connect on the final pass or shot. That happens, particularily since Germany lacks top strikers.

Latvia aren't that bad, either. They forced the Czechs to come from behind, and the Czechs just beat Holland. The Czechs are one of the best teams in the tournament, and Latvia gave them a run for their money.

I have confidence that Germany is going to play it's best game against the Czechs, and make a very good go of it.

And at this point, Germany sits second in "The Group of Death", so there is a lot be glad aboutso far.

I just wished they could have scored today. Oh well.

 

I just watched the highlights of the game. After doing so, I have a 4 obsverations:

1) The two supposed non-penalties for the Latvians - totally bogus. The first was a completely obvious dive by the Latvian, featuring the bending of his back and flailing his arms in the air. He didn't even object and continued playing, so he knew it. The second was a clear 50-50 ball, where both players colided. With both of these plays, only the most blatantly anti-German fan would consider either of these plays penalties. So it was nothing doing and anyone still whining about the refs, or saying Germany got lucky, should just give it a rest.

2) Germany should have come away with the victory, if Klose were worth half a sh!t. It was towards the end of the game, and Klose received a cross in the area, were he was by himself (the closest Latvian had to be at least a couple of yards away), he had the whole goal to hit his header at, with only the keeper to beat. And what does Klose do? He heads wide, missing by about 8 feet. It was pathetic. True, the ball was a bit behind him and he was at a somewhat akward angle, but any half way decent striker could have scored. Usually, Klose is excellent in the air. I guess he just flat out choked. This still points to Germany's lack of top class strikers. Maybe Kuranyi will continue to develop, or Lauth or Poldolski will be the new phenoms.

3) Ballack was excellent, having almost scored from long range on three different occasions. Ballack is back at his best, after a season of mediocrity. He is one of the best in the world, when he is on form.

4) Germany dominated the game, with only few breakaways for the Latvians to threaten. So, this game wasn't as good of a performance as the game against Holland, but a solid outing nonetheless, against an underrated, solid, dangerous team.

 

Of course Germany dominated the game but Germany is the kind of team that even if they dominated and had more shots and more posession they just couldn't put the finishing touch on the ball. I was so disapointed that they couldn't beat Latvia. If they don't impress against the Czechs, they don't deserve to advance, as much as it pains me to say so.

Verkbakofskis was quite the cry baby during the game, after he didn't get his penalty he started flying all over the field. Germany's problem is they just don't have the strikers to finish the passes like Holland or the Czechs. They have a strong defense and midfield that can stand attacks and create chances but they have no one to finish them off. Voeller should take this chance with Podolski next game, Bobic, Klose and Bradric didn't live up to anything so far. I also suggest to leave Bauman out against the Czechs, it seems he is a bit slippery in the back.

 

Germany should have beaten Latvia period. Germany has one thing going in its favor. Czechs have already one the group and will probably rest a few players. Still, Germany has not showed me a whole lot this tournament. Don't tell me how great they played against the Dutch. Holland is a team devoid of any defense. By the way, this is not the group of death. I consider the group containing Denmark, Sweden and Italy to be a far more difficult group.

 

Rubbish, one was a clear penalty. Far from being anti-German, the ref, who was poor all day, was simply afraid to give a penalty against Germany.

Overall though your right, complaining about the ref is silly, a draw was a fair result.

 

Latvia gave the Czechs a really tough time, dito to Germany, and they will not surrender to the Netherlands. I don't expect an easy win for them; that could be even a draw if all things go well. (@MikeLastort: I really don't see them "destroying" Latvia)

I agree with your opinion: Before the tourney we all could expect only to go out in the first round and hope that it is better than 2000. If we show a spirited and courageous match on Wednesday, we will have achieved this progress compared to 2000. No matter if we reach QF.

But I still hope we make it: We are outsiders against the Czechs which obviously fits us better than our role against Latvia. And with a performance as that against Holland, we might prevail.

 

Certainly not.

Besides, do you think that all these players are world class and just the evil power of Rudi prevents them from showing it? So that Hitzfeld just has to touch them with his magic stick and Klose,Brdaric etc. are Ronaldo suddenly? Fairy tale stuff, me thinks...

 

yeah, seriously, here in germany i haven't at all had the sense that there is any first nail, let alone 'final nail' for rudi/skibbe. it's not like they have the ubertalent of holland, that the dutch fans think advocaat has mismanaged. you watch, rudi'll get them to play a helluva game on wed.

a bit of luck (which IMHO is always an underappreciated quality in big tourneys), and germany will go through. i'm not at all surprised at the latvians... they played an awesome qualifying tournament... they're much better than everyone thinks. holland underestimates them to their peril.

 

I really hope that Germany does not play to conservatively on wednesday. For the record I believe that Latvia will beat the Dutch (1-0) and force the Germans to win on wednesday.

My German lineup (3-5-2)

Kahn (GK)
Friedrich (CB)
Nowotny (CB)
Lahm (CB)
Hamann (DM)
Frings (DM)
Schneider (RM)
Schweinsteiger (LM)
Ballack (CM)
Podolski (CF)
Kuranyi (CF)

I really hope the Voeller decides to take a risk in the next match and starts Podolski. I think he is the key to Germany's striking woes at the tourney. Of all the German strikers he has had the best season (excepting Max of course). Podolski ended the Bundesliga season on fire and I think his pace and ball handling will make a huge difference against the Czechs. Against Latvia the element the Germans were sorely lacking was the ability to run at the opposing defense with the ball. That would cause the defenders to colapse on the man and free up the wing players. In my opinion Podolski is the man to do it, and it will be esential against the Czechs.

Germany could go all out and try a 4-3-3.

Kahn (GK)
Hinkel (RWB)
Nowotny (CB)
Woerns (CB)
Lahm (LWB)
Hamann (DM)
Schweinsteiger (RAM)
Ballack (LAM)
Schneider (RWF)
Frings (LWF)
Podolski or Kuranyi (ST)

 

No, I do not think the German side is loaded with world class talent, but I do think it has superior talent to the likes of Latvia, who should've won the game if not for poor officiating. And while lack of talent is a factor, the tactics are also one. The German midfield is solid but against Latvia they were simply giving little service to forwards who needed a lot of chances. And why go to the well over and over again with the same guys up front while ignoring a young talent like Podolski who can add a new dimension to the German attack - speed?

I know he was dealt a bad hand, but he doesn't seem to be adding much to it. Maybe somebody like Hitzfeld can get more out of the talent available.