EURO 2008 - GERMANY v PORTUGAL - Quarter-Final 1 - Predictions

[RM-Taylor]

The time for the tournament really gets interesting as good teams start to play each other.

The winner of this will face the winner of the Croatia v Turkey (played tomorrow) next Wednesday.

I think it'll be a German win, and a close one at that. Think they'll score on the counter attack and hold out for the remainder of the game.

Germany 1-0 Portugal

What do you think the score will be and who'll progress on to the semi-finals?

 

[Man of Harveys]

God...no idea. I'll say 2-1 to Germany, Ballack and Schweini scoring but, to a massive degree, that's very much more heart than head.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

0-0.

Germany win on pens.

 

[Cecil]

Portugal 2 - Germany 1

 

[Uncle Buck]

God...no idea. I'll say 2-1 to Germany, Ballack and Schweini scoring but, to a massive degree, that's very much more heart than head.

Are the Germans somewhat creaky defence going to hold up to Ronaldo, Deco etc?

 

[Gully]

This will probably be tighter than the proverbial gnats' chuff, little between the teams, Portugal probably have a little more flair but this will be snuffed out by an efficient German defence...Vorsprung durch Fussball...1-0 to Germany.

 

[SULLY COULDNT SHOOT]

Tough one to call... would prefer neither got through.

Think it all come doen to whetehr Gomez plays or not. If he does Portugal will go through. If he doesnt then Germany should score enough goals against a Portuguese defence that is not that great.

 

[Man of Harveys]

Are the Germans somewhat creaky defence going to hold up to Ronaldo, Deco etc?

That is really the question, it seems highly unlikely. The only thing is that they'll all know, from the coach downwards, that they'll have to play incomparably better than they have done thus far to have any chance at all. But yes, it could get ugly.

 

[Uncle Buck]

That is really the question, it seems highly unlikely. The only thing is that they'll all know, from the coach downwards, that they'll have to play incomparably better than they have done thus far to have any chance at all. But yes, it could get ugly.

I do not really understand how Germany were pre-tournament favourites.

Granted the side of the draw they are on is easier. However at the back they seem to have the same issues they had 7 years ago when England somewhat beat them, ie they do not have much quality or pace.

In fairness to Klinnsman and Low (who seems to have been the brains behind the last World Cup), they were more than aware of this and so changed the style to a far more attacking game and also replaced Kahn with Lehman on the basis he is lunatic enough to almost play as a sweeper. However teams seem to have once again worked out that Germany have a sluggish centre pairing and will expose this.

Having said all this, watch the Germans win tonight and keep a clean sheet...

 

[Trufflehound]

Depends on whether Germany can get Podolski and Frings fit in time.

If they do, 1-1, Germany on penalties.

If not, Frings are looking bad for the Germans. 2-1 Portugal, auf wiedersehen pet and a big glass of Taylor's Vintage 1985 to the winners.




Alternatively, the game may be abandoned after 33 minutes...

 

[Uncle Buck]

Is Podolski not injured?

 

[Marshy]

i cant beleive so many of you fancy the germans in this.

I think Portugal will steam roll them to be honest. 3-1

 

[Man of Harveys]

I think it's been the prospect of the free-spirited young attackers that's been fairly mouth-watering: Schweinsteiger, Podolski, and Gomez - he's been magnificent and earning rich plaudits for Stuttgart all season but is clearly very much a Graeme Hick/Mark Ramprakash when it comes to stepping up to the international game.

I also think Loew is great tactically but much of that great attacking elan of 2006 seems to have out of the window along with Klinsmann's wishy-washy California-style group hugs. They've simply been playing far too cautiously.

Incidentally, Bild seems to think Gomez won't play tonight but Klose will. They also have a picture of Rod Stewart's bird popping out one of her tits for him to kiss whilst on holiday.

 

[Trufflehound]

Is Podolski not injured?

From BBC:

"He definitely won't train on Tuesday and it's going to be tight for Thursday," said Low. "The medical department will do everything they can to get him fit but he had real problems in the second half against Austria."

 

[che]

Germany 0-2 Portugal

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

I do not really understand how Germany were pre-tournament favourites.

Granted the side of the draw they are on is easier. However at the back they seem to have the same issues they had 7 years ago when England somewhat beat them, ie they do not have much quality or pace.

In fairness to Klinnsman and Low (who seems to have been the brains behind the last World Cup), they were more than aware of this and so changed the style to a far more attacking game and also replaced Kahn with Lehman on the basis he is lunatic enough to almost play as a sweeper. However teams seem to have once again worked out that Germany have a sluggish centre pairing and will expose this.

Having said all this, watch the Germans win tonight and keep a clean sheet...

That made me laugh

 

[withdeanwombat]

Mein Gott!

The day has dawned when I WANT the Germans to win.

In this battle between the arrogant and the unbearable it truly is the game you want them both to lose,but the dreaded Hun slightly less so.

Therefore,in the spirit of European Unity and accord,I predict a dire struggle of dives and deceit,ended by a disputed,twice taken penalty that hits the bar,bounces down and is booted upfield where the game continues until the ref finally hears his linesman and gives the goal.

Chaos ensues.

Mr Volari is sent to the stands.Mr Ronaldo is booked.Violence breaks out on the terraces.Mr Lehmann is hit by a Mateus bottle and cries for ten minutes until his dummy is brought from the bench.

The big screen shows it wasn't a penalty and never crossed the line in any case.Uefa says the ref was right,and that the scheme to have an assistant referee perched on the crossbar will be trialled in Albania next season.

At halftime Mr Hansen says the penalty was fair because the Portugal defender looked sideways at the German which made him fall over from fright,so it was intentional.Mr Shearer says that since the German was put off by the Portuguese glaring at him it was a decent decision.Mr Hansen says stop repeating everything I say.Mr Shearer replies I should stop repeating everything he says.

Uefa later points out that the goal line was a bit wobbly,and from where the lino was the ball should have been in even though in the slow action replay the ball was clearly well in play.

 

[simmo]

Germany 1 Portugal 1

Germany win on pens

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Germany 1 Portugal 1

Germany win on pens

That would be the IDEAL scenario, as I have money on a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes, and also have a bet on Germany, Croatia, Holland and Spain to reach the semis.

 

[Lewes' best seagull]

Potugal 1-0 Germany