German know-how will reign supreme
GEOGRAPHICALLY speaking, Germany is in the same region with Poland and Austria and in fact borders both to the east and south respectively. But in the world of football, Germany is light years apart from the pair. Yet at Euro 2008, all three are clasped together in Group B and, with Croatia, must co
By Charles Mutebi
Group B
Sunday
Austria v Croatia 7pm
Germany v Poland 9.45pm
GEOGRAPHICALLY speaking, Germany is in the same region with Poland and Austria and in fact borders both to the east and south respectively. But in the world of football, Germany is light years apart from the pair. Yet at Euro 2008, all three are clasped together in Group B and, with Croatia, must compete for two quarterfinal places.
Germany
Naturally, most pundits think there is really only one place to fight for as one already belongs to the three-time champions. Indeed, if it were possible Germany would join the tournament in the knockout stages to begin their assault on a fourth title — few teams will want to cross paths with them.
For starters Joachim Loew’s men are all but playing at home. Secondly, the Germany team is on the good end of a revolution started in 2004 by Jurgen Klinsmann and Loew.
Before the last World Cup, many Germans belittled their team, but soon as it exited at the semi-finals, preparations for winning the next major tournament began. No prizes for guessing which team qualified for Euro 2008 first!
The team is in great shape not least skipper Michael Ballack who’s at his best for some years.
To that, a tournament specialist striker in Miroslav Klose and a mean defence and it makes sense why the Germans’ chances have been attracting nothing but rave reviews.
Croatia
But so have the Croats.
Slaven Bilic’s youthful team emerged as tournament dark horses after comfortably topping their qualification group. That feat spoke volumes about Croatia; full of belief and to be underrated at your own risk.
Eduardo da Silva will be sorely missed but striker Ivan Klasnic has returned to boost a team that will look to 22-year-old schemer Luka Modric for inspiration.
Poland
If there is one thing veteran coach Leo Beenhakker has given the Polish national team, it’s self-belief. Beenhakker once said to his players “You do not have to ask yourself if you are good or bad. There is no such discussion. The question is — are you good enough?â€
If you consider that the Poles qualified above Portugal, then the response might be in the affirmative.
Austria
Austrians, for their part, can’t shake the fear of embarrassment.
With one win in the last 14 matches, there are real worries the hosts are going to make a farce of themselves.
*This is the second of a four-part Euro countdown series. You can listen to previews on 94.8 Vision Voice
Group B
Sunday
Austria v Croatia 7pm
Germany v Poland 9.45pm
GEOGRAPHICALLY speaking, Germany is in the same region with Poland and Austria and in fact borders both to the east and south respectively. But in the world of football, Germany is light years apart from the pair. Yet at Euro 2008, all three are clasped together in Group B and, with Croatia, must compete for two quarterfinal places.
Germany
Naturally, most pundits think there is really only one place to fight for as one already belongs to the three-time champions. Indeed, if it were possible Germany would join the tournament in the knockout stages to begin their assault on a fourth title — few teams will want to cross paths with them.
For starters Joachim Loew’s men are all but playing at home. Secondly, the Germany team is on the good end of a revolution started in 2004 by Jurgen Klinsmann and Loew.
Before the last World Cup, many Germans belittled their team, but soon as it exited at the semi-finals, preparations for winning the next major tournament began. No prizes for guessing which team qualified for Euro 2008 first!
The team is in great shape not least skipper Michael Ballack who’s at his best for some years.
To that, a tournament specialist striker in Miroslav Klose and a mean defence and it makes sense why the Germans’ chances have been attracting nothing but rave reviews.
Croatia
But so have the Croats.
Slaven Bilic’s youthful team emerged as tournament dark horses after comfortably topping their qualification group. That feat spoke volumes about Croatia; full of belief and to be underrated at your own risk.
Eduardo da Silva will be sorely missed but striker Ivan Klasnic has returned to boost a team that will look to 22-year-old schemer Luka Modric for inspiration.
Poland
If there is one thing veteran coach Leo Beenhakker has given the Polish national team, it’s self-belief. Beenhakker once said to his players “You do not have to ask yourself if you are good or bad. There is no such discussion. The question is — are you good enough?â€
If you consider that the Poles qualified above Portugal, then the response might be in the affirmative.
Austria
Austrians, for their part, can’t shake the fear of embarrassment.
With one win in the last 14 matches, there are real worries the hosts are going to make a farce of themselves.
*This is the second of a four-part Euro countdown series. You can listen to previews on 94.8 Vision Voice