Auf geht's Deutschland! 
Germany vs Portugal - ITV 5pm KO
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I've a feeling Portugal could sneak this even though Germany are rightfully the favourites. If there's going to be another Netherlands or Costa Rica style upset, it might be here.
I hope it's a draw. Both teams being on one point rather than 3 means it's slightly more likely one of them will fail to qualify. I want Ghana or USA to cause an upset like Costa Rica look set to do but I can't see it happening.
Originally Posted by Lisa.B:
“Auf geht's Deutschland!”
“Auf geht's Deutschland!
”
Should that not be Auf geht Deutschland
Well according to google translate.
Originally Posted by Xela M:
“Completely disagree. The only reason this team of pretty much mediocre players played so well in the past tournaments was because Low is one of the best coaches in the world. Germany has no superstars. They lose to strong teams (Italy and Spain) not because of tactics, but because of individual quality of players on the other side.”
“Completely disagree. The only reason this team of pretty much mediocre players played so well in the past tournaments was because Low is one of the best coaches in the world. Germany has no superstars. They lose to strong teams (Italy and Spain) not because of tactics, but because of individual quality of players on the other side.”
I disagree. Loew loses his nerve the longer the tournament goes on.
In Euro 2012 he trashed the midfield and attack for no reason (dropping Klose, putting Ozil out wide and keeping Schweinsteiger, who was awful, in the starting XI) and the defending (especially from Hummels) was awful. Nobody thought Italy were a great side (they had been a rabble in WC 2010) and Loew bottled it.
As for no superstars. They've got huge chunks of Bayern Munich's CL winners from 2013! I believe they had enough quality to have won at least one of the last two European Championships and they blew it. How many more chances will Loew get to lose in the semi-finals?
Originally Posted by Xela M:
“People don't like Ronaldo just because he is beautiful”
“People don't like Ronaldo just because he is beautiful”
No, that's Diego Costa.
Originally Posted by lettice:
“Should that not be Auf geht Deutschland
Well according to google translate.”
“Should that not be Auf geht Deutschland
Well according to google translate.”
Let's go Germany, if it's good enough for the Germans on twitter, it's good enough for me.
Originally Posted by Mark F:
“How fit is Ronaldo - been carrying a few knocks?
Fancy a few goals and the Germans to take this.”
“How fit is Ronaldo - been carrying a few knocks?
Fancy a few goals and the Germans to take this.”
The Germans were a bit shaky in qualifying and conceded seven goals in two matches to Sweden, so there may well be a few goals.
Angela in the building.
I really think that this obsession with turning Lahm into Xavi is folly. Germany are lacking at full back and he has a ton of experience on both sides of the defence.
I really think that this obsession with turning Lahm into Xavi is folly. Germany are lacking at full back and he has a ton of experience on both sides of the defence.
Adrian chiles on the messi Ronaldo debate. Who would you rather be stuck in a lift with. What a cretin
Originally Posted by abcd:
“Adrian chiles on the messi Ronaldo debate. Who would you rather be stuck in a lift with. What a cretin”
“Adrian chiles on the messi Ronaldo debate. Who would you rather be stuck in a lift with. What a cretin”
I would rather either of them than Chiles I'm certain.
Germany have one of the great anthems.
Originally Posted by Sattrega:
“Rooting for the Germans in this one.”
“Rooting for the Germans in this one.”
Ditto, not a fan of Ronaldo or Pepe.
Originally Posted by Joooe:
“It's been a great World Cup so far, surely these two teams will keep that going...”
“It's been a great World Cup so far, surely these two teams will keep that going...”
That's it now, the kiss of death, 0-0
Originally Posted by blitzben85:
“That's it now, the kiss of death, 0-0”
“That's it now, the kiss of death, 0-0
”
Hopefully an exciting 0-0.
Originally Posted by Get Den Watts:
“I disagree. Loew loses his nerve the longer the tournament goes on.
In Euro 2012 he trashed the midfield and attack for no reason (dropping Klose, putting Ozil out wide and keeping Schweinsteiger, who was awful, in the starting XI) and the defending (especially from Hummels) was awful. Nobody thought Italy were a great side (they had been a rabble in WC 2010) and Loew bottled it.
As for no superstars. They've got huge chunks of Bayern Munich's CL winners from 2013! I believe they had enough quality to have won at least one of the last two European Championships and they blew it. How many more chances will Loew get to lose in the semi-finals?”
“I disagree. Loew loses his nerve the longer the tournament goes on.
In Euro 2012 he trashed the midfield and attack for no reason (dropping Klose, putting Ozil out wide and keeping Schweinsteiger, who was awful, in the starting XI) and the defending (especially from Hummels) was awful. Nobody thought Italy were a great side (they had been a rabble in WC 2010) and Loew bottled it.
As for no superstars. They've got huge chunks of Bayern Munich's CL winners from 2013! I believe they had enough quality to have won at least one of the last two European Championships and they blew it. How many more chances will Loew get to lose in the semi-finals?”
The Germans don't have a star player like Pirlo or Ronaldo or Messi who could take on and decide a game single-handedly. They have a good team, they are physically very fit, they are highly motivated, they can score goals, but that's it. They don't have individual quality players. Low has been an absolute blessing for Germany and it's only due to his skills as a coach that they have consistently performed.
Originally Posted by Xela M:
“The Germans don't have a star player like Pirlo or Ronaldo or Messi who could take on and decide a game single-handedly. They have a good team, they are physically very fit, they are highly motivated, they can score goals, but that's it. They don't have individual quality players. Low has been an absolute blessing for Germany and it's only due to his skills as a coach that they have consistently performed.”
“The Germans don't have a star player like Pirlo or Ronaldo or Messi who could take on and decide a game single-handedly. They have a good team, they are physically very fit, they are highly motivated, they can score goals, but that's it. They don't have individual quality players. Low has been an absolute blessing for Germany and it's only due to his skills as a coach that they have consistently performed.”
You don't think that Goetze or Muller or Oezil could turn a game on its head with a bit of magic?
Germany making the early running but Portugal have pace in the form of Ronaldo to break on them. Similar to the set up of Spain vs Holland perhaps.
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