Group B

Austria 0-1 Germany

At the 2006 World Cup Germany threw off the chains of decades of highly effective but mind-numbing play to become one of the most entertaining teams in the tournament. Today they reverted to old habits and produced an uninspiring but all the same, winning performance.

Apart from both coaches being sent to the stands the only memorable moment of the first forty-five minutes was a miss by Gomez of Kanuesque proportions. Klose fed him a pass that put him in front of an open goal and no more than four yards out.

Gomez contrived to sand wedge the ball up in the air and as it spun towards the goal an Austrian defender recovered and headed clear unchallenged. Surely the miss of the tournament.

It is no secret that Gomez is struggling badly but it is to the point that it is cruel and unusual punishment to keep him on the field. Lowe apparently likes a more physical forward up front with Klose and that has been one of the reasons to pull Podolski deeper into midfield.

However, the Podolski move has compounded the problem because the Bayern Munich player has fitted in nicely in midfield while also scoring goals. Sticking with Gomez in the next round would be a vote of confidence bordering on the foolhardy.

Fritz and Frings (sounds like a Vegas lounge act) both had nightmare games and were constantly battling to control passes and to find team mates. Any coordinated threat from Germany in the first half came with Lahm and Podolski linking down the left side. And it was through a surging run from Lahm that Germany took the lead just into the second half.

Ivanschitz sliced down the little full back as he threatened to break into the penalty and set up a free kick 30 yards out. The ball was touched to Ballack who thumped a shot passed Macho and was still rising as it hit the back of the Austrian net. It was the one moment of pure class throughout the entire ninety minutes.

As the game went on a lack of telling passes in the last third of the field allowed both defences to remain comfortably in control through weight of numbers. Although Austria continued to push forward they just did not the conviction or skill to both manufacture and take a chance that might have changed the flow of the game. Germany had a number of chances on the counter but they often looked dazed and confused and nothing came of the numerous opportunities.

Germany win ugly and move on: Austria finishes above Poland but go out albeit having exceeded the low expectations.

Croatia 1-0 Poland

Ivan Klasnic scored what must surely be the most personally emotional goal to maintain Croatia’s 100% record. Klasnic who underwent kidney transplants in the last two years and still fought his way back into the national team scored the only goal. Given that he has also been released by his club Werder Bremen in Germany the goal will not have gone unnoticed by teams looking for a proven striker.

Portugal vs. Germany on Thursday; Croatia vs. Turkey on Friday.

Comment of the Day
“The Austro-Swiss flop is the first in what may be a sequence of poor performances by host nations in European and world tournaments. World Cup 2010 hosts South Africa have slipped down the rankings in African football over the past few years and suffered another embarrassing defeat, away to Sierra Leone, in an African Nations Cup qualifier yesterday.

Even if they get a helpful draw in two years' time they may struggle to advance. In 2012, the European championship will be jointly staged by Ukraine, who have qualified for only one major tournament since gaining independence, and Poland who have disappointed at Euro 2008 just as they did at the last two World Cups.” – When Saturday Comes.


Prediction Update
We have eleven posters with a 100% record (8 points from a possible 8) at the completion of Group A.

Matthew 21110, Anti-Madridista, Sleeper000, Sangria, Soundersfan, SMuAnNuNy, Genuisatwork, TBoone, Willisman, realmadrista123, and Milanfan21 all nailed the exact finishing positions.

However, we already know that no one will have a 100% record once group play is complete.

But given that the winners of Group B, C and D are already decided I can tell you that we have three posters who got all four group winners spot on. LHJS, Soundersfan and frenchies.

Looks as if Soundersfan is the one to beat. I’ll try to update at the conclusion of each group.


Tiebreaker
In Canada TSN and Rogers Sportsnet are sharing the coverage of Euro 2008. It is just as well that they haven't had to pay each viewer a dollar every time they have gotten the tiebreaker rule wrong over the last five days.

The latest faux pas just before the start of Group A play yesterday when we were informed (paraphrased) that if the Czechs won big and Portugal lost big then the Czechs could finish top of Group A on goal difference.


CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying
Yesterday’s later games brought another couple of surprise results. Trinidad and Tobago lost 2-1 at home to Bermuda while Haiti was held scoreless at home by Netherlands Antilles. The ####mp;T score potentially impacts the next round of games for the USA as the qualification format moves to three groups of four.

Canada opposition in the next stage is a mere formality. Honduras has already qualified while Mexico has a 2-0 lead to take home against Belize. Jamaica won 7-0 against the Bahamas and will surely move on. After this weekend’s results the idea that the next stage of qualifying might be prove to the biggest hurdle for Canada to clear has only been reinforced.

The results and the format to the next stage can be found by clicking on the link.