Yes, you're right with Meinert. She didn't play for Germany for 2 years after the 2001 Euros. Wasn't sure about MacMillan, but from the dfb.de side the lineups were: Germany: Angerer Bresonik, Minnert (46. Hagedorn), Stegemann, Zerbe Odebrecht (78. Omilade), P. Wunderlich, Prinz, Garefrekes Wimbersky (66. Kliehm) M. Müller USA: Scurry Pearce, Fawcett, Chastain, Sobrero Hawkins (60. Fair/68. Roberts), Hucles, Tarpley, Wagner Parlow (46. O´Reilly), Milbrett (75. MacMillan) Difficult to predict the outcome based on the 4NT game. A lot of different players on both sides.
Key German Players Missing in China The U.S. did defeat Germany 1-0 at the 4NT back in January ("Danke" again for the video Woody-99 ), but that wasn't the same German team that the U.S. will face tomorrow. (Just thought I would also mention that it was Hawkins who scored the winning goal for the U.S., but it was Unni Lehn's goal in the last match against China that actually won the 4NT for the U.S.) Maren Meinert retired from the German National after Germany won the European Championships in July of 2001 and just rejoined Germany's squad again a little over a month ago. Midfielder Renate Lingor also did not make the trip to China last January. ("Danke" also for posting the lineups of that match Woody-99 because I didn't see your last post until after I had finished mine.) I'm not sure if this will be Germany's "best chance ever to beat the USA," but if Maren retires again as expected, this might be the best team that Germany will field for awhile. In any event, I agree with boingo that it is "gonna be a great game."
Yep, and Maren made an impact on Devvyn Hawkins when she met her for the first time. Dev was shocked that Maren knew who she was, and Maren told her that she knew who she was; she scored the goal to bet her team.
For attacking prowess I think Germany will win. This is going to be a nervous teat for the Americans. Norway isn't unbeatable, and the US squad is too nervy against the Norwageans. Brazil did a better job against them. If US can control the German's midfield they will win. This will be a fine;y balanced game.
I'm confident we have what it takes for Germany. We've played and beat great teams. I would be bold enough to say our competition thus far has been tougher that what the Germans have faced.
I am MUCH more confident about the US this game than I have been about several earlier ones. I thought the US would do no better than a tie against North Korea for one. The play of the front line and the lack of Chastain's lapses of concentration in the back has made this team MUCH stronger and I see no evidence of Germany having the tools to contain the attack. THe only concern I have is if Milbert gets stuck in too soon ending the US's scoring chances. Final - 4-1 US. (Could be 5 if the Hamm really turns it on not just scoring but assists and defense)
the germany offense is quite powerful and this match scares me a bit too, but the mental toughness of the U.S. should never be underestimated - i expect to see the goals we didn't get in the norway match - US 3-2 and just to remind all, i predicted the US over canada in the final several months ago and everyone laughed at me... could actually happen so i will put a large order of crow on pre-order - do my doubters prefer fries or baked potato? no i am a sexiest! the sexiest of all! or as alphonse would say 'le sexiest du monde'
Germans add 'wow' factor against U.S. by Mark Zeigler http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/sun/sports/news_1s5womcup.html
Denoncourt is the ref, good choice by FIFA. I think that she is one of the better refs in the WWC. http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/t/match/29/index.html
If the German coach moves Prinz into the middle instead of the left as against Russia, then the US is in trouble. Who can neutralize Prinz? Faucett? I doubt it. Sobrero? Should be a great game!!
isn't she the one who did not call Dagny Milgren's hands ball in the final 2000olympic and cost us a gold medal ?
Get Over It! Norway played a great match in the 2000 Olympic Final and deserved to win the Gold Medal. How would U.S. fans feel if the Chinese were complaining four years later that the only reason why the U.S. won the '99 WC was because Scurry cheated on that final PK that she saved?
Renate Lingor From Karlsruhe I would be really surprised if the U.S. is able to defeat Germany by more than two goals. Midfielder Renate Lingor is going to be one of the key players for Germany and if she has a big match today and helps to create some scoring opportunities for Prinz, Meinert,and Garefrekes, I think Germany has a chance to win.
Taping Warning: If you plan on taping the United States-Germany Semifinal, you may want to start taping at 7:25 pm ET as according to the bottom line ticker on ESPN2, thats when the TV coverage may begin. The ESPN TV section via their website still lists 7:30 pm ET as the starting time. Of course when you go to the World Cup section, it saids 7:30 pm ET under TV but the todays games say USA-Germany starts at 6:30 pm ET start which obviously isn't the case! So who knows when coverage will begin. Well since I'm stuck working tonight and won't be home to watch when coverage indeed begins, I'll just starting taping at 7:25 pm ET. If I get five minutes of horse racing coverage, then oh well. Hey, its better than joining in progress.
I'd hate for another bogus PK to be called. It is kind of understandable that the home team may get a bit of favoring from refs, but it would be sad to see a good match ruined because of that. And Abby does seem to be able to get away with more on the NT than in the WUSA, where she was constantly carded for brutal plays. I guess I shouldn't talk since my favorite team Atlanta Beat were certainly known for that sort of thing too.
Re: Get Over It! yes, that pk should've been re-taken and so was that hand ball, with all do respect to Milgren but, she seemed to re-direct that ball by her left hand so that she would be able to kick it (i watched the tape over and over by the way).
Re: Get Over It! Regardless of the handball call, Denencourt is a capable ref who generally calls a pretty good game. I can't say the same about Pendergrast (who I'd be willing to spend 30 days in the pokie to introduce him to my elbow and my knee). As far as holding grudges, yes I still hold grudges including Pendergrast in Costa Rica, Ruiz for still being on the field in Guat, Gabarra for not playing Minnert until Barr was injured (and his moronic tactics), etc.
Lineups United States 1 SCURRY Briana (GK) 2 BIVENS Kylie 4 REDDICK Cat 7 BOXX Shannon 9 HAMM Mia 11 FOUDY Julie (C) 12 PARLOW Cindy 13 LILLY Kristine 14 FAWCETT Joy 15 SOBRERO Kate 20 WAMBACH Abby Germany (GK) ROTTENBERG Silke 1 STEGEMANN Kerstin 2 LINGOR Renate 6 WUNDERLICH Pia 7 PRINZ Birgit 9 (C) WIEGMANN Bettina 10 MINNERT Sandra 13 MEINERT Maren 14 HINGST Ariane 17 GAREFREKES Kerstin 18 GOTTSCHLICH Stefanie 19