CBC Sports Online's soccer expert, John Molinaro, takes you inside the world of soccer and offers his insights about the action on the pitch and in the front office.
Beware of the Germans
Comments (6)
Monday, June 9, 2008 | 11:50 AM ET
Is there anybody out there that still doubts Germany's status as top contenders at Euro 2008?
I wouldn't think so after the Nationalmannschaft put on a master-class performance against Poland on Sunday in a 2-0 win.
Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski combined on both goals for Germany, cementing their status as one of the most lethal 1-2 scoring combinations in international soccer.
Full credit must be given to German manager Joachim Loew who has conitnued where former custodian Juergen Klinsmann left off, insisting the Germans play with speed, creativity and flair.
That was clearly evident on Sunday. The Germans put constant pressure on the Polish defence and you got the feeling they could have scored four or five goals.
While I still question Jens Lehmann being given the starting goalkeeper's assignment – for my money, Bayer Leverkusen star Rene Adler should be between the posts – I think Germany has one of the best teams from top to bottom.
The trademark steely German defence kept the Poles at bay, and Michael Ballack helped his coutnry win the battle in midfield.
But what makes this German team so dangerous is the fact that it is hungry. Very hungry.
Germany is eager to reassert itself as a world soccer power by erasing the memories its past two Euro appearances when it crashed out in the first round.
Indeed, prior to Sunday's win over Poland, Germany was winless in six games at the European Championship and had not won since defeating the Czech Republic in the final of Euro '96 in England.
Now they have momentum and have their Group B rivlas shaking in their boots.
The rest of the Euro field shook be nervous, too. The Germans are for real.
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About the Author
John F. Molinaro is a reporter for CBC Sport Online whose chief love is international soccer. John served as senior editor of Sports Online's Euro 2004 website, which helped him win a CBC.ca Award of Excellence, and was the driving force behind our coverage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He holds an honours BA in sociology from York University and a print journalism diploma from Sheridan College, and is also the author of The Top 100 Pro Wrestlers of All Time (Stewart House, 2002).
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Comments (6)
shafi
Canada
Germany is always the winner
Posted June 9, 2008 02:06 PM
Bert Meister
toronto
Germany will prevail in this tournament. Italy will be eliminated before the final which will make it easier for the Germans to win it. They always lose to Italy so this year should be a good time for the Germans to win it. Let's face it....it ain't the World Cup which is still the Holy Grail of Soccer!
Let the Germans have the lesser prize!
Posted June 9, 2008 07:57 PM
Paul Fitterer
Toronto
Yes, I do agree that the German's are a force to be reckoned with.
However, there were some moments of mediocre play going on during the game with Poland. (Poland did play well considering)
If they improve, and gel throughout the tournament, they may be able to raise the bar enough to compete with the likes of the Netherlands or Portugal.
PF
Posted June 9, 2008 08:11 PM
Tony Earnshaw (England fan)
I've never known a German team to panic, even when they've been losing. They have a discipline to which other teams can only aspire.
As an Englishman, I must give Germany due credit. Over the last sixty years, they've been the best national side in Europe. And Euro 2008 looks like continuing that trend.
Posted June 9, 2008 10:36 PM
PITY ME
Ottawa
The world cup is full of watered down teams representing each continent. Everyone knows that the best teams and players in the world come from Europe. Don't get me wrong, there are some countries in latin America that can hold their own but the Euro Cup IS the holy grail of soccer....sorry to rain on your parade Bert from Toronto.
Posted June 11, 2008 10:33 AM
Joe
Vancouver
I'll have to add to the general consensus here. Germany looks the class of the tournament this year.
Posted June 11, 2008 01:57 PM