"Podolski & Frings doubtful for Portugal quarter-final"
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=548009&cc=5901
With Germany's key players most likely to be out of the Portugal game all signs display Portugal should move on with ease. Germany has played like shit in their past 3 games. Portugal played 2 great games when it counted. With no Podolski it's going to be hard for the Germans to score as he produced 3 goals for Germany so far.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=548009&cc=5901
With Germany's key players most likely to be out of the Portugal game all signs display Portugal should move on with ease. Germany has played like shit in their past 3 games. Portugal played 2 great games when it counted. With no Podolski it's going to be hard for the Germans to score as he produced 3 goals for Germany so far.
meh just don't think a Podolski absence should be a determining factor into betting on Portugal.
And yes if Gomez starts again the German coach should be fired immediately. Gomez is a nice player but he has looked atrocious thus far, Kuranyi should have gotten the start in that last game.
Who knows maybe he'll insert 100 year old Neuville in the starting 11.
I have futures on Portugal making the semis at +144, but I really think the Germans will take this one. Portugal is more flashy and gets the public love for that reason, and they are a very talented squad, but I think Germany has a slightly better team.
It should be an amazing game though.
It should be an amazing game though.
To all of those that think if Podolski is not playing is not a big deal then I say you should take GERMANY and please don't let me see that you end up taking Portugal later on this forum. He is a big deal to this team right now. If it wasn't for him in the past 3 games Germany would not of even been in the Quarter Finals. Germany played like SHIT and I mean SHIT against Austria. Austria is ranked at what number in the world??? Exactly Portugal will rape Germany when Thursday comes.
FIFA rankings mean absolutely nothing, so don't bring up where Austria is ranked. Greece is ranked 8th in the world, ahead of Holland AND Portugal. Greece was probably the worst team in this tournament, and that includes Austria. I'm not saying you're wrong in saying Germany hasn't played well, but don't bring up rankings because they're completely stupid.
Out of all the teams we saw this tournament Greece was by far the worst, and after them it was arguably France. I'm not saying France wouldn't win in a game against Austria but they looked worse in this tournament (although in a much harder group). Austria honestly could have tied every game. They were even with Poland, they outplayed Croatia, and they played tight with the favorite to win Germany. Austria had a very impressive showing in this tournament.
I'm not saying Germany didn't underachieve in the group stage, but I think they'll beat Portugal. We'll see though, it should be a great game.
Austria outplayed Poland, so to say they performed the worst simply isn't so. Greece were miserable and played a miserable brand of football and I tend to agree with Chase, France were never in any game they played.
Podolski is a HUGE loss for Germany. While I agree he isn't shit with Bayern, he is a completely different player for Germany. They don't have someone as fast or as disruptive offensively as he is and he is the only player who has acquitted himself well for Germany in this entire tournament.
Germany are woeful in attack (other than Podolski) and are both slow and clumsy defensively. Their centrebacks are a gift goal waiting to happen. Once again they are fortunate to have been given a gift of a group advancement. Nothing at all points to the Germans to win this game.
Having said that, Portugal is only a hair shy of Spain when it comes to underachieving. They are terribly fortunate if Podolski is out as he would terrorize the flank and Ferriera when and if they are on the same side. Portugal are also toothless with their strikers, just complete garbage and realistically speaking they have only one scorer as long as Scolari decides to keep Nani and Quaresma on the bench.
All signs point to Portugal winning this game, they are more fit, playing better, have more offensive and better defensive options (with the exception of Ferreira), better coaching and are rested. Having said that, Germany rarely fail to advance and Portugal often underachieve. Logic tells me Portugal but I have a feeling Germany may well pull this one out. No idea how I am going to play it, may just go with a total (I think it stays under).
Podolski is a HUGE loss for Germany. While I agree he isn't shit with Bayern, he is a completely different player for Germany. They don't have someone as fast or as disruptive offensively as he is and he is the only player who has acquitted himself well for Germany in this entire tournament.
Germany are woeful in attack (other than Podolski) and are both slow and clumsy defensively. Their centrebacks are a gift goal waiting to happen. Once again they are fortunate to have been given a gift of a group advancement. Nothing at all points to the Germans to win this game.
Having said that, Portugal is only a hair shy of Spain when it comes to underachieving. They are terribly fortunate if Podolski is out as he would terrorize the flank and Ferriera when and if they are on the same side. Portugal are also toothless with their strikers, just complete garbage and realistically speaking they have only one scorer as long as Scolari decides to keep Nani and Quaresma on the bench.
All signs point to Portugal winning this game, they are more fit, playing better, have more offensive and better defensive options (with the exception of Ferreira), better coaching and are rested. Having said that, Germany rarely fail to advance and Portugal often underachieve. Logic tells me Portugal but I have a feeling Germany may well pull this one out. No idea how I am going to play it, may just go with a total (I think it stays under).
Loss of Podolski IS a big of deal. Here's why...
First off all, lets see how the Germans played the couple of games on this Euro 2008. With a solid defense, Ballack and Frings on the midfield, and three forwards: Klose, Gomez and Podolski.
The only forward who has scored on this tournament, is Podolski. He scored 3 times already, and is hungry for more. Gomez couldnt even score, if the ball was already over the goal-line. Klose doesnt play too well, seems he just cant find that energy and flow, to break the non-scoring barrier.
Podolski is also the most active forward off the Germans. Sometimes he plays a quarter on the left flank, sometimes just behind the center, that makes him even more dangerous. The speed and agility, movement during the whole game makes him a hard target for the markers. This creates some huge spaces for the other two forwards, but they're just not the killer-types CF's. Maybe Klose is, but not at this moment. Gomez is average at best.
Like J.Cruijf said, you need to score goals to win a match. Without Podolski, the Germans will have a hard time to score. Thats why I have a strong lean on the Portuguese.
GL :toast:
First off all, lets see how the Germans played the couple of games on this Euro 2008. With a solid defense, Ballack and Frings on the midfield, and three forwards: Klose, Gomez and Podolski.
The only forward who has scored on this tournament, is Podolski. He scored 3 times already, and is hungry for more. Gomez couldnt even score, if the ball was already over the goal-line. Klose doesnt play too well, seems he just cant find that energy and flow, to break the non-scoring barrier.
Podolski is also the most active forward off the Germans. Sometimes he plays a quarter on the left flank, sometimes just behind the center, that makes him even more dangerous. The speed and agility, movement during the whole game makes him a hard target for the markers. This creates some huge spaces for the other two forwards, but they're just not the killer-types CF's. Maybe Klose is, but not at this moment. Gomez is average at best.
Like J.Cruijf said, you need to score goals to win a match. Without Podolski, the Germans will have a hard time to score. Thats why I have a strong lean on the Portuguese.
GL :toast:
Guys just because Podolski has scored 3 goals this tourny doesn't make him a great player all of a sudden. The man has scored 9 goals in 47 appearances for his club side Bayern. I mean he doesn't even start every game for Bayern. Do you know why? Because he's not that great, thats why! lol
Yeah a couple balls fell nicely inside the box on his fav left foot and he slammed them home. Now he's a star? And the first goal could've been finished by any warm body, tap in from a 2-0 break.
Bastian can take his place and do fine. Guy doesn't score to often but is a better creater down the flanks.
Yeah a couple balls fell nicely inside the box on his fav left foot and he slammed them home. Now he's a star? And the first goal could've been finished by any warm body, tap in from a 2-0 break.
Bastian can take his place and do fine. Guy doesn't score to often but is a better creater down the flanks.
