Preview – Germany was my pre-tournament pick to win it all. Apart from a solid and sometimes impressive performance against Poland in their opening game this German team has failed to reach nights of the team of two summers ago.
Even though German coach Joachim Löw will be able to watch today’s game from the good seats he has more to worry about than the seating arrangements.
His team has a number of doubts with the injury to Torsten Frings the most pressing concern. Without Frings the German midfield will need to be shuffled with Ballack perhaps being asked to play deeper than usual. Either way the Germans need to find and execute a plan to contain Deco.
The biggest concern to Portugal might be Germany’s threat at set pieces. Carvalho and Pepe have been strangely hesitant on some cross balls in earlier games and that might be something Germany can exploit.
I’m not going to switch horses (better to be wrong once than wrong twice!) at this stage but would willingly concede that if Germany beat Portugal today it will run counter to the form book.
Misses next match if booked:
Portugal - Jose Bosingwa, Miguel, Jorge Ribeiro, Paulo Ferreira and Fernando Meira.
Germany - Michael Ballack and Jens Lehmann.
Referee: Peter Frojdfeldt, linesmen: Stefan Wittberg, Henrik Andren (all Sweden), fourth official: Kyros Vassaras (Greece)
Match Report Portugal 2-3 Germany
If you’re looking for an example of why group form doesn’t mean very much when it gets down to the knockouts stage here was a great example. Germany overcame an indifferent start to the tournament and knocked out a Portuguese side that was favored to move into the last four.
Joachim Low overcame the loss of Torsten Frings to injury by matching Portugal’s 4-2-3-1 formation. Hitzlsperger and the thoroughly impressive Rolfes took care of the defensive midfield duties which allowed Michael Ballack to support the lone striker Miroslav Klose while playing between Schweinsteiger on the right and Podolski on the left.
The move by the German coach seemed to take Portugal by surprise as they struggled in the early going to control Ballock.
The first of the five goals came after a surging run from Podolski. He held off Bosingwa (great going forward but looks very dodgy defending) and he created enough space to slide a cross to the onrushing Schweinsteiger who had lost his marker Ferreira.
Within minutes Germany was two goals to the good when Portugal got their marking all wrong at a free kick. While Portuguese markers focused on Ballack and were then distracted by a great dummy run from Rolfes, Klose was left all alone to hit home. But even then there were few signs that the scoring had finished.
Portugal was finding it far too easy to find teammates with passes and they had lots of space to operate in. More goals just had to come and another did just before of half time. Ronaldo found space behind the German back four and although Lehmann made a good save Nuno Gomes knocked a loose ball into the net.
As the second half got underway it seemed to be only a matter of time before Portugal would equalize and perhaps even to go on and win the game. But too often the final ball into the penalty box or the shot on goal was poor.
Ultimately it was another free kick that was to be Portugal’s undoing. It was almost identical to Germany’s second goal and again the Portuguese defense was culpable in their marking… or lack of. This time the cross reached Ballack and goalkeeper Ricardo was caught in no man’s land as the ball rolled into the net.
However, it was not to be a worry free last 30 minutes for German fans (and for those of us who have picked Germany in prediction pools!!). Between while dying a thousand deaths on the bench, Scolari managed to throw on substitutes Nani and Postiga and it was the two subs that combined for the last goal of the game with three minutes left.
A massive disappointment for Portugal and Germany becomes the first team into the last four. Five goals, lots of action, some sloppy defending and some excellent entertainment. Here’s hoping that it continues.
Comment of the Day
"No17 Germany – 1m98, No13 – 1m88, Klose – 1m82, No21 – 195. I have to worry about that – and that my players are 115cm, 120cm." - Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Prediction Update
Nearly 20% of posters (too many to list) got the finishing positions of countries in group D spot on. It tightened things up at the top and Sounderfan has dropped down to second place. According to my calculations here is everyone currently with 20 points or more.The highest possible total after the group stage was 32 points.
One person who did not post his predictions on the blog but if he had he would be leading by a solid margin would be FSR anchor Carlos Machado. Carlos’ only missteps to date were switching the finishing order or Germany/ Croatia and Austria/Poland in Group B.
If he had posted his predictions he would be sitting on 28 points at the moment. Quite an impressive performance from Carlos who also took out time out to complete the Manitoba Marathon last Sunday in a little under four hours.
Questions
These two questions were posted yesterday.
1. So far, is this a better tournament than Euro 2004?
2. Without checking the statistics do you think Euro 2008 has produced more, about the same or less goals than Euro 2004?
My sense is that this is a better tournament than we saw four years ago. The pace is quicker, more teams are committed to going forward and attacking and there have been a number of more memorable performances to date.
I was surprised that there have been fewer goals in the group stage than there was in 2004. Perhaps my memory is clouded by day scarcity of goals in the knockout stage in Portugal. And who knows, there is a strong chance that goals will again be hard to come by once more in the knockout stage.
The cooler temperatures (slightly warmer temperatures in Austria – 26 goals, cooler in Switzerland –31 goals) are likely encouraging a faster pace game and rewarding the countries that are willing to go out and take the game to the opposition.
The Netherlands, Spain, Russia, Portugal, Turkey (second-half anyway), Croatia and, despite what many knee-jerk stereotype dependant critics will tell you, Italy all benefited by adopting an aggressive approach.
The “what we have we hold brigade” (France, Romania, Poland, Greece and Sweden) are all on the way home. To date only Germany of the sides who have approached the tournament with containment in mind (to be fair it may be a case with Germany that they have just misfired badly) has made it to the knockout stage.
Total Football Revisited
On day eight I posted a comment about commentators who described the Dutch style of 2008 as a total football. I suggested that you should distrust any such description. Gabriele Marcotti suggests that you go a step further and punch them in the mouth!
Outstanding work on this tournament on the blog and telly.
We were (as usual) watching the show last night and the missus said that we are lucky that a contingent of professionals in Winnipeg create a daily show that is far superior to any other football programming we pay for.
Even though FSC is limited per rights on highlights your show is far more comprehensive than ESPN's shows that have a ridiculous amount of resources.
Again I greatly appreciate your insight.
Also thanks to your comment above that the Azzuri are playing attacking football. They just don't have the blinding speed as other sides and more importantly they aren't finishing.
Bobby,
I heard Andy Gray of Sky Sports/ESPN, when asked about Total Football, say he wasn't so sure about Total Football. It was more like the Dutch had some really good players back then...that's all.
What is your opinion of Total Football from a tactical sense? More than just a bunch of good players? Why has it seemingly disappeared?
i would like to say that the euro games has been greate so far . but with all the speculations surrounding ronaldo and his future at Manchester united should stop. he needs to be loyal to uninted and not let money be a factor in him moving away from united he is a great player but it would be wrong decision for him to join realmadrid. most players who go tho italy and spain who has already adapte dto playing enlish foot ball don't always pplay well in seria A oe laliga they get plagued with injuries all the time . my main thing is that ronaldo should stay in enlang if he say he's happy at united why not say he is not leaving and wants to stay. the club has done well over the years regular plcae every year and won the premier league title ten times in 15 seasons i may say which better club he want to play for again .on the other hand united should pay him more money just to prove a point to keep their star player
I know the question was directed at Bobby and I would like to read his thoughts, but I would take a stab at the question. I think that Total Football in a tcatical sense requires a good deal to be delegated to the wing players and as such forward inclined fullbacks are a must. The rest seems to be a giant I would say liquid mass. A midfielder moves upfield another moves into the empty space behind him, and likewise. It is interesting that Johann Cruijff was the closest to having played center forward in the 1974 World Cup and that Johan Neeskens, not known for goal scoring, led the team in goals. I guess tactically it was a system that sort of was not a system at the same time.
It was more than just a bunch of good players. After all, nobody ever accused other great teams of playing Total Football. However, all the teams predominantly associated with the style had amazing sides. The early 1970's Ajax sides, Netherlands in the 1974 World Cup, and the 1978 World Cup, which in the absence of Cruijff and van Hanegem, the Dutch still came a post away from the title. It is hard to imagine putting the demands of adaptability and technicals skill that the style requires without world class players.
I think the style has not as much disappeared as it has blended into the fabric of football. Total Football is one of the foundations of the modern game. To some extent it also requires a familiarity between the players that perhaps can no longer be developed. Suurbier, Krol, Haan, Neeskens, Cruijff, Keizer and Rep all were able to develop a repore that today may be impossible.
Wow. This is why Bobby and I have stuck with our predictions for Germany to advance. I have no doubt there will be some more surprises before the day is over...
I read the article by Marcotti And I agree with him, I seldom do, but he is right my understanding of total football is a team that is fluid from front to back and everybody on the team being able to slot into every position if need be. So when the defnders venture forward the midfirlders would fall back and protect the goal or if a man found himself caught out of position his teammate would pick up the slack. I do not see the Dutch playing that way I just see them playiong out and out attacking football. Which is the best kind if u ask me :-)
On another note. Do many teams nowadays employ a player in the sweeper position like beckenbauer used to play. I was watchin the 72(i think) euro final last week and he totally dominated that game and it was kind of unusual to see a defender come forward so often and with so much effect it was a wondewrful performance by the germans and if u put those same players from 72 into the german kits of today u would hardly tell the difference in tempo and style of play, dear i say the german team of 72 was much better if u ask me.
Describing the Dutch team of 1974 as just being made up of some really good players is like describing the Beatles as four guys who had some hits.
There are a number of books out there on Michels, Total Football and the tactical innovationsthat helped to lay the ground work for the national team and Ajax. I can't do the subkect credit in a post but in order to play that way you need supremely gifted players both technically and athletically as well as each possessing a keen tactical brain and an astute awareness of everything going on around them. If you want to see it try and find some DVDs from the early 70s of Ajax and the national side. The 78 side was a good team but nowhere as good as the 74 edition.
I doubt if you will find anyone playing like Beckenbauer did as sweeper for Germany. He revolutionized the role by realizing that the sweeper as well as having defensive responsibilities also had time and if he had the vision then he could build attacks from defence as well as jumping into the attack and to provide that extra man. There were not many could replicate his performance. His touch, anticipation and passing were all exemplary.
Have people stopped using the sweeper role because over time coaches have figured out how to defend against it or is it because the players of today r different and dont really have the skill that it takes to perform that role well. Or maybe todays game has just evolved passed that. I can understand not using that role in say a champions league game seeing as how so much is at at stake and it could be a bit risky but y not in the leagues. R todays players just of a different ilk or is it down to the coaches.
I dont know, I just cant see a time when teams stop using the "makalele" role. It seems common place and necessary nowadays
The quintessential Total Football game was probably the 1973 European Cup first leg tie between Ajax and Bayern. Ajax scored 4 second half goals on Bayern en route to their third consecutive European Cup. I think L'Equipe named it Match of the Century if I am not mistaken. I believe that entire match is available on the net.
Other matches are Ajax v. Inter in the 1972 final, Holland v. Argentina and Holland v. Brasil from WC '74.
Well Germany through again. Congrats to them. Portugal had enough chances today. Too many long range shots and poor performances by Ronaldo, Simao and Ferreira who was argubaly responsible for two goals. Woeful defending on set pieces by Portugal.
I thought Ballack's goal should have been a foul on him and disallowed.
Well if Croatia get through Turkey what a semi that will be.
It seems the germans have shaken off the cob webs and returned to their old selves. Portugal had 21 shots in that game germany only had 10, 5 of which were on goal and as we know three of those in the net.; Now that is some real efficiency. Thats the germany I know.
Whether the director was Michels or Kubrick, always worth the time and trouble to watch Clockwork Orange.
Paul Ince. Blackburn Rovers. Good move. Yes. It will only propel the transfer of one of his key international players to the team he always supported as a boy. A done deal by according to a number of rumours.
I have a bad feeling about the game, tomorrow. There could be riots between Croatian and Turkish fans.
MOSTAR, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) - Police in this ethnically divided southern Bosnian town is on "red alert," fearing clashes between Bosnian Muslims and Croat football fans will follow the European Championship quarterfinal between Croatia and Turkey.
Mostar police chief Himzo Djonko said Wednesday they have information that clashes between two groups of fans "are already planned."
Bosnian Croat and Muslim football fans in Mostar have a long history of fighting, including during the 2006 World Cup. One person was seriously hurt and at least six policemen injured when police used tear gas to disperse scores of young people after Croatia lost 1-0 to Brazil in the tournament.
Djonko said officials are asking for police reinforcements from other towns in the region.
"We will not allow conflicts and will use all means available under the law to prevent clashes," Djonko said.
He added that more than 1,000 police officers will be involved in providing security during and after the Croatia-Turkey match scheduled for Friday. Muslims traditionally cheer for Turkey while Bosnian Croats regard the national squad of neighboring Croatia as their own.
Mostar has been ethnically divided since the 1991-95 Bosnian war with the Neretva river being the invisible border between the Muslims and the Croats.
How would you rate our chances vs. the Turks or the Croatians? Being a German fan, I'd rather see the Turks (a no-brainer). I was real impressed with our game today and I think we can do the same vs. Croatia. We knocked out the best team in the tournament, in my opinion.
Aldoray - There are a number of reasons including the ones you have id'd yourself. I would say that Baresi was maybe the deathknell for a Beckenbauer type sweeper as the Milan team of the 80s became influential. The Milan back four played flat and pushed up quickly which pushed the midfield up etc etc and was the key element in the pressing game that they perfected. Ronald Koeman played a lot like Beckenbauer but the German was a better defender and much quicker in thought and movement.
Well deserved appointment for Paul Ince if it comes to pass. Credit to him for his willingness (or was it necessity) to learn his trade in the lower leagues.
The Dutch game that still sticks with me is the 4-0(?) demolishing of Argentina at the 74 World Cup.
Last edited by BobbyMcMahon on June 19th at 2:29 PM.
Yes...Yes...No!...Yes....No!!!
Wow what a game, Next!!!
LHJS
PS I thought I had 22pts? {10 correct places, 12 bonus points for picking POR,CRO,NED,ESP 1st and GER, RUS 2nd}25 now. Look out Carlos. By the way I pay for Fox sports canada for two reasons.Sky sports news and the soccer report. I wish the station had accesss to the English primier league like FSC. Is there any chance of Cola cola Championship league games being televized? I'd like to see Nottingham Forrest play Crystal Palace.
Ludwig
Zuco: Lotta hatred in that comment. What countries are you implying are haters?
Bobby: The Sun has gone into 72-point type to announce Ronaldo wants away from ManU. Talking about a 60-million pound bid. Would you take that for him? I'm thinking he should be going for something far higher. 75. 80. Maybe a warm body or two thrown in.
Bobby: Are you getting a refund for your surscription now that SHOOT!(ffs) is going out of business?
They're building a shiny new barn for Portsmouth with 36,000 seats. By what year do you think they'll be capable of regularly filling it?
Now that he's got time on his hands, think Big-Shoes-To Phil Scolari can hold onto Lampard, Drogba, Carvalho? Think he'll want to hold onto Ferreira after Ballack bullied her on the winning goal today?
Whaddabout them new ManU away kits? Have Tottenham Hotspur ever been paid a higher compliment?
Great game today! Had to DVR it and watch it late but the better team went through.
Ballack fouled on his header but how many times do you see the defending team foul the attacker and get away with it?
Bye bye Ronaldo!
Well Croatia better watch out against the only team to comeback from a deficiet this tournament. Tuncay, especially, has been brilliant for the Turks(oh and so has Nihat)
Bobby-You are a genuis. Look at that comment of the day and then look what happened today! And I guess so is Big Phil...
Croatia will look great and win a tough one with Turkey then Germany will exact their revenge made more meaningful, devestating and obvious in light of the way Croatia celebrated after their group win.
Russia/Ned could be a great match or one of those Dutch Dirt fests when faster, quicker teams run circles around them. We'll see. Either way Guus shows up MVB(who I never saw play) but I am not impressed with as manager. I will never understand or forgive him leaving RVN off the '06 squad.
Spain will look good at first but will come away empty or 1 goal up at halftime. Puyol will hobble off after giving up a penalty. Ramos will slide over to CB but it will be too late he won't have his bearings and Luca Toni will beat him in the last 10 minutes to go through.
Unfortunate for Portugal to bow out in the Quarters, but they did fall to a class Germany team, who had they shown up against Croatia this game would have been a Semifinal matchup instead... There is no shame in falling to a team like that. I have very little doubt that Germany will be in the final. Portugal was the only team on their half of the tournament bracket standing in their way.
Yes Croatia won when they played in the group stage... And it was a game when Crotia played very well, and Germany played very poorly, and Germany was right in it until the final whistle...
Sky Sports News is also reporting that Ronaldo is for the off. If he goes what about United and Real Madrid being drawn in the CL?
If Real Madrid is starting at $60M then you know that they have to be willing to go higher than that. SAF must be fit to explode - the dream of cruising into retirement on the back of two Ronaldo inspired trophy filled seasons. It looks to be going pear shaped very quickly. Time for another cunning plan from Sir Alex or at least a quick piece of team rebuilding.
Last edited by BobbyMcMahon on June 19th at 5:20 PM.
Sad to see the demise of Shoot but its best years came in a very different era. Anyone with even a passing interest in football growing up in the UK in the late 60s and 70s would have bought Shoot at one point. I have two or three annuals in the basement with some very interesting haircuts on the players. Mo Johnston may even be in one.
If someone was caught reading under the desk in school it use to line up this way. If it was a girl it was copy of the Jackie or the Diana that would be confiscated. For the boys it would be the Shoot. Except in the case of the really different boy who never played football or any sports, dressed well and was friends with all the girls. But that is another story.
Bobby, do you fear violence or incidents ahead of tomorrow's game? I mean, the worst that could possibly happen is that the Turks yell during the Croatian national anthem or the opposite.
Security is tight at the McMahon household - I am not worried.
(ZUCO2 - sorry I'm not meaning to be flippant but I could not resist. The police seem well prepared - perhaps overly prepared and I doubt you will any problems in the stadium. After the game there is always the potential no matter who is playing.)
Last edited by BobbyMcMahon on June 19th at 6:03 PM.
Well, the meds have apparently kicked in as there's no bouncy-eyed, drooly-lipped commentary about north London clubs today.
Perhaps Mad Mel should share his prescription with Milan's Adriano Galliani, who -- according to today's Guardian -- seems determined persist in his crazy pursuit of a striker who'll be lucky to bag a dozen tap-ins now that opponents are aware of him. Galliani's lunacy is detailed
Galliani should look at a real world-class striker. Peter Crouch is available and has a couple of fans who helpfully chronicled his attributes -- blinding pace, clinical finishing, aerial prowess, woof, woof, quack, quack -- on this blog earlier this year.
AG-I guess we'll find out eh? This is the team that has no money so it can't afford Drogba, Eto'o or Ronaldinho. It had to bring in a way past it Ronaldo(who had to pay to get out of his contract mind you) even after they had, reportedly, gotten 30m pounds for Sheva.
You can read into it what you want but the truth is there my friend.
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
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