chriscol,
Sorry but I cant let this go without some comments. The outcome of this game is not the question but the reasons why people always take the same angle.
You have quoted the same myths thats said with all these games.
dont care about the outcome of the match.
i think both teams like to see especially the dutch go out.
these two countries are overall very countries who historically like each other.
The real facts of this is that Germany are an ordinary team coming off a big disappointment with 4 days of german press on their back. 5 of their starters are on yellow cards and the coach is unsure which combination to use up front.
The Czech coaches, like any other team, will not waste this chance to experiment with players and tactics, especially defensively given Germanys situation.
Any back-up players will see this as an opportunity to contribute later so I think its a gimme they want to win. The team is on a high at the moment and wont want to lose momentum, they dont care who goes through to the next round and historically the countries are anything but friends.
Add the fact the books always shave the odds in these situations and value is certainly not in betting the Germans, especially if what it appears, that you are giving 0.5 start.
Please dont take my post personally, its just this happens alot and I feel the real points are lost with the same old assumptions.
However, I hope they work out this time and you get the win.