Germans
out to conquer Europe
by rick olivares
The headline got your attention, didn't it? No, this isn't a long lost story out of World War II. This is for all the marbles as the best European football squad in the world's second biggest football tournament outside the World Cup. And these are the teams that I expect to
advance beyond the group stage. I threw in a wild card in their with Ireland
over Italy. Really!
Group
A
Czech Republic
Russia
Group
B
Germany
Netherlands
Group
C
Spain
Ireland
Group
D
France
England
Quarterfinals
Czech Republic vs. Netherlands
Spain vs. England
Germany vs. Russia
France vs. Ireland
I really like the Germany-Russia and
France-Ireland matchups. Explosive is an understatement.
Semifinals
Netherlands vs. Germany
Spain vs. France
Finals
Germany vs. Spain
Winner
Germany
Here’s why I think the Germans are
ready to rule Europe once more.
The team that played so beautifully in
the 2010 World Cup is now two years older and wiser and now armed with the
knowledge and experience of top-flight football. The youth movement that swept
that team – Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer, Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira, Mario Gomez,
and Jerome Boateng – are ready. And then there’s midfielder Toni Kroos who
doesn’t get much credit for his play as Schweinsteiger, Ozil and Khedira mind
their middle third.
Head coach Joachim Low has veterans
Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose who can not only score but have also shown
consistently they rise to the occasion on the big stage. They also have the
rock steady Bastian Schweinsteiger and team captain Philip Lahm. If you’re
wondering why I have not mentioned central back Per Mertesacker that is because
he has played sparingly this year because of an injury. His place on defense is
crucial. Expect Mats Hummels or Holger Badstuber to help him out. Hummels and
Badstuber are quick to ignite Germany’s offense. If they steal the ball watch
out for the German counter-attack.
The character of this team is their
fluid attacking game that has seen them play some of the best football this
side of Brazil. While some of the images from the last World Cup was their
offense covering up the flaws of their defense, it bears mentioning that they
have become a better possession-minded team that retains their scoring flair.
For all his side’s talent, Low has
openly said that they will not underestimate the teams in the group for
Portugal, Netherlands, and Denmark are led by world-class stars who are proven
winners.
There is hunger in this team after
they were denied in the last World Cup (by a suspension to Thomas Muller that
did them in) and in the European finals. The contingent from Bayern Munich,
still smarting from the stunning Champions League loss to Chelsea, would want
to end the season with a major trophy.
Now why am I picking them over Spain?
Spain struggled to score last World Cup. They scored the fewest goals of any
World Cup champion (eight). They are without David Villa and Carles Puyol who
are both injured. Villa was their top scorer last time around with five goals.
And there will be no Lionel Messi for them to finish (since a lot of these
players are from Barcelona). I have to wonder if the carefully developed
chemistry of the last few years has eroded with the testy and rough El Clasicos
over the past two years.
Spain is dangerous and every bit a
favorite to be the first ever repeat Euro champions. But they look vulnerable
more than they ever did last time around while Germany are stronger.
It’s going to be close but I see
Joachim Low’s boys ascending to the top.
Sub-plot:
Miroslav Klose is closing in on the
great Gerd Muller’s scoring record for Germany. Klose has 63 to the 68 of
Muller although the latter accomplished that record in only 62 matches between
1966-74 (where he was teammates with Franz Beckenbauer).
rick, if your predictions comes true and the netherlands and germany qualifies for group B and hurdles their QF matches, why are they playing each at the semi-finals.
ReplyDeleteit should be that teams who qualify from the same group SHOULD not play against each other until the final. the top qualifier and group runner-up must be separated into the upper and lower brackets after the elims.
these also happened during the 2002 world cup, where brazil and turkey qualified for group C but still played each other during the semis which the brazilians won 1-0.
why is these happening at the highest level of the sport?
i was fearlessly predicting that these two teams from group B will play for the euro trophy, now i think ill be a game short of my prediction.
I think Denmark is the Germany of World Cup 2010.
ReplyDeleteif Possible Philippines could follow the germany youth structure , of requiring Professional clubs to have its own youth system , pero as for now medjo malabo pa na mangayari , sa UFL ,
ReplyDeletebut someday eto sana mangyari , na merong youth systems ang each clubs . except maybe for armed forces squads .
wow its been 4 years. since I watched euro tournament and I think I'm the only person who showed interest in football that time. hard core na hard core dati,
it will also be good to show this quality games to the general public (of the philippines)sir ric .
para maintdihan nila na medjo malayo pa ang azkals sa international level pero . hindi mag tatagal aabot din tayo sa level ng Japan at South Korea.