[Fish]

Originally Posted by Skybird

And what a demonstration it was! Blitzkrieg in the first half, almost complete domination in the first 35 minutes even with Sweden still at full strength. Two early goals. A bit calmer in second half, but sweden missing the chance to gain psychological balance again when giving away the penatly (which was highly doubtful anyway). German team still attacking, having plenty of high callibre chances, and hitting the post two, or was it three?, times. As I see it the Swedish were lucky today, and really owe to their goalie. The match could easily have ended 7:1 or so, and I do not got the impression that a complete Swedish team would have made a difference, in first half they lost almost all 1-on-1 duels. Ball possession in the end scored 66%:34% for the Germans. At no minute one could have doubts who was in undisputed control from first to last minute. The vikings had no chance today

In that form, with the probably best pairing of attackers and a very biting midfield, and with that agility and creativity this team must fear no one, even not Argentina (assuming that Argentina, my top favourite so far, kicks out Mexico). What especially is reason for optimism is that then German team became stronger and stronger from match to match, corrected the initial weaknesses in it's defense (first match), and even increased it's strength in midfield and the attack. 80% of the goals are scored not by midfielders or defenders, but attackers - a novum in the German's history which before always played a bit goal-shy and won by narrow margins and standard situations in earlier tournaments.

Klinsmann has brought a very different spirit and philosophy into German football. That kind of American sports micro-management he trained himself in in recent years obviously makes a huge difference, he also managed to bring the players into top shape right on the minute. And the team spirit is very great.

It has been a very long time since Germans have loved their football team that much!

How a nation can change. :-)

Originally Posted by Skybird

Germany played fantastic during the Confed-Cup - and after that the team and coach fell into a deep black hole and never came out of that. Another defeat today would bring german soccer into a deep crisis, so short before the championship, after scandals of league manipulations and bought game results, the arrogant behavior of the national coach (spending more time in California than in Germany), and the unacceptable performances of the team in recent matches (the 1:4 against Italy was like beein eaten up alive).

american teams often show high motivation and pride, and I think they will beat the Germans today. The complete helplessness ont he faces of Klinsmann and Bierhoff after recent matches speaks volumes.

The luck of German teams in during champiomnship is proverbial, and also there probably will be a raise in fighting spirit once the event has started, yes. But I could imagine that this time it will not be enough. It is very possible that germany even will not survive the first round, turning all finacial investments and economical predicitons into a chaotic mess.

Not to mention the blame. The German soccer association DFB is the biggest sports organization worldwide... Really, it's true!

There were plans by some to order Klinsmann to appear before the Bundestag and explain the siutation, and other voices suggested one should confiscate his passport the next time he enters germany, and keep it until the championship is over.