EURO 2008

Germany – Finally put away the come back King of the tournament, Turkey, not without a scare though. Germany needed a stoppage time goal from Philipp Lahm to settle the score. Germany could be missing their inspirational captain Michael Ballack as the midfielder is receiving treatment for a calf injury.

Philipp Lahm’s stoppage time goal puts Germany through.

Spain – Spain basically overwhelmed Russia with a lot of flair, leaving them no room to bring on their threats seen in the last few games. Question is can they overcome their tag as a perpectual under achiever in a major tournament? To me Spain captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas has been the best goalkeeper in the toutnament so far. 

Verdict – Both are evenly matched. Spain had been more consistent than Germany on the road to the final. It is a physically powerful German team playing against the craft of the Spanish one-touch football.
Score: German 0-2 Spain.

Market odds: German (+0.925), Spain (-1/4, -0.975)

Germany – Drew first blood in the game against Portugal winning 3-2, Germany capitalized on its players height advantage pretty well. Knowing Portugal will lose in any aerial challenge, they had 2 free kicks which came off 2 headers and resulted in 2 goals. The free kicks were not directed at the goal mouth but at players standing around the goal mouth. Headers are more difficult to save than direct free kick. Germany found their winning strategy at last.

Bastian Schweinsteiger with his opener.

Turkey – Its like a cat having nine lives, came back from the dead in the last 2 games. Needed a 121min goal to force the game against Croatia to penalties in the quarter-final. Could miss out up to a third of the players in the semi-finals through injuries and suspension including top scorer Nihat Kahveci who is confirmed out due to a thigh injury.

Nihat Kahveci receives a pat on the shoulder from Turkey coach Fatih Terim as he limps out of the quarter-final against Croatia

Verdict – Turkey’s injury woe is Germany’s fortune. Score: Germany 3-1 Turkey.

Market odds: Germany (-11/4, -0.975), Turkey (+0.925)

Portugal – Portugal’s reserve team was hammered 2-0 by the Swiss who managed to salvage some pride in their group game. Coach Scolari will be bringing on the first team regulars again, in the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco & Pepe, in the knock out stage of the tournament.

Luiz Felipe Scolari, gifted Swiss a last hoorah by fielding a reserved team, shake hands with Kuhn.

Germany – Came through with a high pressured 1-0 win over Austria. Lukas Podolski may not be available for the game because of a calf problem. Will be sweating on the fitness of Torsten Frings due to a broken rib. Joachim Löw is suspended for arguing with the fourth official and will not be permitted on the bench. Under UEFA regulations, he may follow the match from the stands but is not allowed in the dressing room, tunnel or technical area before and during the game, nor is he allowed to get in contact with his team.

Verdict – This is a clash of the giants. Scolari will be recalling all his fire power. Germany’s performance in the 2nd and 3rd game had not looked like they can overcome the Portugese. Germany’s saviour may come down to the goalkeeper, Jens Lehmann.
Score Portugal 2-0 Germany.

Market odds: Portugal (-1/4 -0.925), Germany (+1.0)

Austria – The Austrians get a lifeline through a stoppage time penalty. Their never-give-up attitude pays off. The Polish defense were prised open a few times but somehow the deservedly goal eluded them till the last minute.

Ivica Vastic scored the stoppage time penalty.

Germany – Germany rue their defensive errors and erratic play and didn’t pose much of a threat to Croatia in he last game. A draw may be sufficient to see them through to the knock out round provided Poland did not win Croatia by a big margin, which is not likely to happen.

Bastian Schweinsteiger .. Red carded for forcefully bringing down a Croat, one match ban.

Verdict – Both teams will need to fight to the very last minute. The Germans looked erratic and suddenly seems so vulnerable in the last game against Croatia. What  were they thinking? That they will have an easy game with the Austrians? Thinnk again … the Austrians will be sticking to the Germans like leeches and it won’t be easy to beat the spirited Austrians.
Score: Austria 1-1 Germany.

Market odds: Austria (-0.925), Germany (-1, +0.825)

Croatia – Pint size Croatia players had good outing in the opening game, playing with speed and conviction against co-host Austria. However, they don’t looked like a convincing champion in this tournament. 

Germany – The Germans were too good for Poland in the opening game. The Polish defense was split open on several occasions. Germany is arguably the most outstanding team in the tournament right now.

Podolski – Man of the Match

Prediction – Whichever teams win the match will be guaranteed going into the quarter final. Height and technical superiority should see the Germans through and they will show the world what their superiority once again. Score: 2-0.

Market odds: Croatia (+0.875) Germany (-3/4, -0.95)

Germany – Perhaps the most technical and disciplined team in the competition. Qualified second in the table behind Czech Rep with the highest number of goals in the group. Had one of the tallest players in the competition averaging 1.85m. They had an unbeaten record of 11 wins and four draws against Poland since 1933. However, in their last encounter, they needed a 91st min goal to settle the score of 1-0.

Poland – Poland had made much improvement in recent years and had grown into a formidable force to be reckon with. In the qualifiers, they topped the group which included Portugal and Belgium. Of concern is that their winger Jakub Blaszczykowski and goal keeper Tomas Kuszczak both dropped out 2 days before the opening through injuries.

Prediction – Germany is the overwhelming favourite right now, however, I see an upset may be on the cards. Do not expect Germany to get too many goals past the Poles. Going by their last friendly match as guide, I hazard the guess that we will see the first goalless draw of the tournament. Germany 0-0 Poland.

Market odds: Germany (-1, +0.85), Poland (-0.925)