*Official* Germany v Spain (Semi Final 2)

[Quaggas]

Khedira did not train Sunday, some problem with the thigh... but is expected to resume "light training" Monday:

Bild.de: Zittern um Khedira

(in German)

 

[Shri]

Muller isn't playing is he?

 

[Xuhaib]

It is an obvious point but first goal is so key.

If Spain get it then that poses a very different question for Germany. Most of their goals against England and Argentina were down to great counter atacking against dreadfull defences, they will not be able to do that against a Spannish side that is one goal up and keeps the ball so well.

Hope Spain play Cesc though, made a difference when he came on yesterday.

yeah this.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

yeah this.

Pothas and GF speaking a lot of sense.

it's easy to overrate this German side based on a couple of really successful matches; they're full of young, talented footballers, but the fact remains that they don't have a clue who to put at LB and whoever they choose (Boateng, Badstuber) he'll be shown up at the highest level, Klose needs 252584124174 chances to score a goal, Podolski and Khedira are mercurial at best and Müller is 20. There are valid arguments to be made against the Spanish side winning, too, of course - team not looking like it's gelled, no end product out of their neat passing play - but it's a 50-50 clash.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Positives for Spain I can see:

1) No Muller for semi; big miss

2) Spain aren't playing at anything like their potential but have done enough to make it so far

3) Conversely, Germany are playing about as well as they can. Only one way to go from there, etc

4) Only time Jerry went behind so far he struggled to formulate a meaningful response.

5) Spain (at least in theory) have the pace & movement to exploit the lack of the same in the German centre-halves

 

[Uppercut]

4) Only time Jerry went behind so far he struggled to formulate a meaningful response.

You think not? Didn't score I suppose, but considering they were down to ten men against a seriously negative side, they did make a hell of a lot of chances. At least until Ozil was subbed.

 

[Matteh]

Had a penalty too that was annoyingly fluffed.

Podolski that entire game was off radar with those left foot bullet shots.

 

[Johnners]

Talk of Torres being dropped to the bench, would be a good move for mine. Use him as an impact sub with his speed and start with Cesc instead.

 

[Nate]

Tbf though, the only game in the tournament they've played with a lone striker resulted in a loss.

 

[Johnners]

Fair point, just don't think they're utilising Torres properly though, and that combined with him being somewhat short of proper match fitness isn't helping the teams fluidity.

 

[vcs]

You think not? Didn't score I suppose, but considering they were down to ten men against a seriously negative side, they did make a hell of a lot of chances. At least until Ozil was subbed.

Yeah, they played very good football in that game, Podolski missed lots of chances.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Spain should definitely start with Llorente up front instead of Torres. You can't just expect Germany to dominate you and then let you win like most of the other teams Spain have played so far. Spain have to have a different dimension beyond trying to walk the ball into the net. It will also make it easier to walk the ball into the net when you have a guy like that occupying the defence.

Anyway here's hoping Spain's default run ends, then the evil is defeated by the orange mob in the final.

 

[Matteh]

Don't recall Germany ever wearing Orange.

 

[0RI0N]

IF the Dutch are to hand Uruguay a hiding and make it to the final, it is going to be a football romantics wet dream:

First time winners Neth vs Esp OR

The grudge match Neth vs the bicycle stealers
Anyway slight favourites are the bicycle stealers in the semi final.
Neth 2 1 winners in the final.

 

[Quaggas]

IF the Dutch are to hand Uruguay a hiding and make it to the final, it is going to be a football romantics wet dream:

First time winners Neth vs Esp OR

The grudge match Neth vs the bicycle stealers
Anyway slight favourites are the bicycle stealers in the semi final.
Neth 2 1 winners in the final.

What's the origin of this sobriquet?

 

[Furball]

What's the origin of this sobriquet?

Something to do with the Nazi occupation in World War 2.

 

[vcs]

Paul the octopus has predicted Spain will win this one.

YouTube - Oracle Paul 'Psychic' Octopus puts Spain, not Germany to WC final

However, there is still hope for German fans.. he got the result of the Euro 2008 final wrong.

 

[Matteh]

Belgians are the 'bicycle stealers', ****ers are the only country than seem to run a free for all bike system where you find a bike stowed away in one of those bike rack things and just take it.

Annoys the crap out of everyone else when Belgians go abroad and assume noone else has any possessions.

 

[Quaggas]

Paul the octopus has predicted Spain will win this one.

YouTube - Oracle Paul 'Psychic' Octopus puts Spain, not Germany to WC final

However, there is still hope for German fans.. he got the result of the Euro 2008 final wrong.

More worrisome is the tipping thread on CW - had Argentina over Germany (and prolly England over Germany), but now have Germany over Spain.

Edit: And Clapo, who was one of the few to predict Arg to be slaughtered, now has Spain on penalties

 

[Matteh]

I tipped Germany to beat England, Argentina and now Spain.