Germany Archive

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Germany secure third place

By
Omar Al-Duri
– July 12, 2010

Sami Khedira nodded in a late winner as Germany saw off the spirited challenge of Uruguay in Port Elizabeth to finish in third place for the second World Cup running.The two beaten semi-finalists played out an entertaining game at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in the penultimate match of the finals.Thomas Mueller became joint-top scorer as he opened the scoring on 18 minutes before Edinson Cavani levelled for Uruguay before the break.The South Americans took the lead for the first time early in the second half through the impressive Diego Forlan but Marcell Jansen equalised for Germany within five minutes.The open encounter seemed destined for extra-time before Stuttgart midfielder Khedira nodded Germany in front again with just eight minutes remaining to seal the bronze prize.The third-place play-off is often billed as a match that no team wants to play – but this encounter made a mockery of any such suggestion.
Uruguay exceeded all expectations in reaching the last four and, with a parade through the streets of Montevideo and a date with President Jose Mujica planned for Monday, they were desperate to finish their campaign on a high.

Germany, meanwhile, are a hugely talented young squad who will be together for some years and viewed the meeting with La Celeste as another stepping stone in their development.Diego Forlan almost took the game into extra-time as his injury-time free-kick struck the Germany crossbar with the last kick of the game in an exciting finale.It was a cruel end to Uruguay’s eventful tournament but they will leave South Africa with an enhanced reputation while the German’s have finished third for the second successive World Cup. Germany 3 Uruguay 2

As the final will be played tomorrow its only fitting I put a team of the Tournament as the Giants of Football haven’t impressed it has a slight different look than expected.
Iker Casillas
Thomas Muller
Philipp Lahm
Thomas Muller
Kevin-Prince Boateng
Mesut Ozil

Carles Puyol
David Villa
Sergio Ramos
Andres Iniesta
Diego Forlan
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Diego Lugano
Alexis Sanchez
Lucio
Arjen Robben
Wesley Sneijder

Manager : Joachim Low

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Spain vs Germany

By
Omar Al-Duri
– July 8, 2010

Spain took the next step towards footballing immortality as they booked a place in their first World Cup final following a 1-0 semi-final victory over Germany in Durban.Flair, culture and aesthetics have underlined the rise to prominence of the European champions and the irony at the Moses Mabhida Stadium was therefore palpable as a no-nonsense Carles Puyol header settled the contest in the second half.Vicente del Bosque’s side won their fourth straight game 1-0 and will now play the Netherlands in Sunday’s final at Soccer City.Spain deserved their victory after controlling huge periods of the match, but once again it was far from a vintage performance.The Germans have been by far the stand out team this tournament overcoming the odds to combine a mixture of efficiency and explosive counter attacking .However ,tonight there was only one team that stepped up to the plate to fulfil their destiny and that was Del Bosques Spain side.I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the Germans master Class and that isn’t frequent, that a football student says that but they have displayed class.Performances all over the field from Bastian Schweinsteiger who has been my pick of the bunch to Mesut Ozil who has defined what a creative midfielders attributes are.Spain on the other side like Barcelona at Club Level are a team that football coaches all around the world show videos to the up and coming soccer stars on how to keep possession,pass the ball,attack the ball and defend as a unit from the furthest player up the field (David Villa) to the solid centre back (Carlos Puyol).Spain coach Del Bosque chose Wednesday’s tie to drop the out-of-form Torres, drafting in Barcelona’s lively young forward Pedro and deploying David Villa as a lone striker.And while Del Bosque’s team certainly looked comfortable as they worked the ball around midfield, Germany showed excellent shape and discipline, and were rarely dragged out of position.The Euro 2008 champions, who defeated Germany 1-0 in the final of that competition, should have scored a second after striking with the sort of counter-attack that had been a trademark of their opponents’ play in this competition, but Pedro failed to pick out a completely unmarked Fernando Torres.Torres had come under the spot light recently after having a frustrating time but looked eager to right his critics wrong and what a way to display that if he plays in the final against Netherlands.Torres scored in the final of the European Championship after receiving criticism and silenced the doubters with the winner against Germany.Vicente del Bosque’s pre-tournament favourites dominated possession and managed to quell the threat of Germany, surely making the group-stage defeat to Switzerland feel like a lifetime ago for those at home in Europe.

The final with Holland will now represent a clash between two of the continent’s historical underachievers on the world stage, with the Total Football of the Oranje famously failing to succeed in finals in 1974 and 1978.It will also mean that a new winner of the World Cup will be etched into the history books come the conclusion of events in Johannesburg’s Soccer City at the end of the weekend. Spain 1 Germany 0

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Germany vs Argentina

By
Omar Al-Duri
– July 4, 2010

Germany tore Argentina apart to book their place in the semi-finals and, for now at least, end Diego Maradona’s dream of winning the World Cup as coach to go with his victory as captain in 1986.

Inspired by Bastian Schweinsteiger and two-goal hero Miroslav Klose, Joachim Loew’s side scored four times for the third game at this tournament in what was a devastating attacking display.For once in the tournament it wasnt just a case of Argentina being exposed but the Germans destroying a nation that were favourites to win the Whole competition.The Germans are often renoun for the organisation and “safe” way of playing yet no one can argue they deserve to be where they are at this stage and are know actually looking like favourites with their style of play.An organised Spine in the team,players in the attacking third with flair,1 unit in how they coordinate with each player knowing where and how to play and a real team spirit.An great example was after Muller had put the Germans infront Argentina attacked and threatened to equalise when Four Argentinians were caught Offside.The Offside rule has been under scrutiny for years ,yet the manner that the Germans came out was like synchronised swimmers frustrating Messi and Co and Tevez squared the ball to Higuain to see his goal Disallowed.At times this win was reminiscent of the way Germany had ripped through England’s backline in the second round a week ago, with Argentina caught out by their speed and incisiveness on the counter-attack as they chased the game.

The only cloud on Germany’s horizon is that the impressive Mueller picked up a booking that means he will miss the last-four clash with Paraguay or Spain, but Loew still has much to savour from this match.Frustration began to kick in as it was illustrated on the animated Maradona and it began to show on his players too.Nicolas Otamendi picked up the first booking on 11 minutes for fouling Friedrich, while Javier Mascherano clattered Schweinsteiger three minutes later and was lucky to get away without a caution which would have caused him to miss the semi-finals.

We talked about the Argentinians defence being shaky and the Germans exposed it in particular Sebastian Schweinsteiger limiting any opportunities for Lionel Messi yet still managing to carve out passes,like a quarter back to a wide receiver.Otamendi had one of the worst displays defensively and will want to put this game behind him as Podolski and Co were just too strong for them.Friedrich managed to add to his tally and Klose continued his record for the national team scoring two in a game that could of been more.Fittingly, the final word went to Klose, who volleyed home Germany’s fourth from Mesut Oezil’s cross in the last minute – his 14th World Cup goal – after the imperious Schweinsteiger had brought the ball forward again. Germany 4 Argentina 0

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Germany vs England

By
Omar Al-Duri
– June 28, 2010

England’s World cup dream ended today in the second round at Bloemfontein as Germany were just too strong and tactically spot on.Capello did show a sense of consistency naming the same side that was victorious against Slovenia.It did take two games to get into the rhythm but the Nation was confident and eager to start of well.Unfortunately it was anything but as it took while for them to settle and control the opening minutes.Germany deservedly led with goals from Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski after just half-an-hour, but just before the break Matthew Upson headed home to give England some hope.But moments after Upson’s header, in a grim echo of Geoff Hurst goal that helped England to victory over West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final, Frank Lampard’s superb lofted finish landed feet over the line behind German keeper Manuel Neuer, an incident obvious to almost everyone inside the Free State Stadium.Replays almost instantly showed the ball was over a foot over the line, and England had been denied a clear goal.Fabio Capello celebrated in his dug out as his team talk was just about to change as England finally found thrie feet in what was an extremely slow start.Only to be stunned as Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda and his officials waved play on. England’s players and coaching team, including David Beckham, led vehement protests as the teams went off at half-time, but all to no avail and Germany made the most of their reprieve. The Germans will feel a measure of justice has been restored 44 years on, but this was of no consolation to the modern-day England as insult was added to injury by Joachim Loew’s gifted young side.After the break England pushed on and looked the more likely to score, but then with 20 minutes remaining, two devastating counter-attacks – both finished by Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller – sealed in the end a thoroughly deserved win for Germany.What had turned out to be an extremely good half of football in the first half for both nations turned into a one sided affair and the Germans who were the younger side played with much more maturity and discipline.

Mesut Ozil stole the show again today controlling the whole game as if he was directing a movie, showing signs of skill,intelligence and confidence to dismantle England.Steven Gerrard did excel as much as he could from the left sided position Capello insisted to play him in to accommodate Barry and the out of form Lampard and put in a captain performance in.However despite the controversy and the call for video technology England were the lowest scorers left in the competition prior to todays game and relied on their big stars who do perform like World Class players for their individual clubs but looked average on the World Stage.Players like Klose and Podolski had abismal campaigns with their club teams but have produced when the pressure was on for their country.One may argue what if Rio Ferdinand was fit?but did Rooney,Lampard,Barry,Heskey,Cole or lennon exist in this competition? Germany 4 England 1

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Things to Expect – England and Germany

By
Mohamed Harb
– June 26, 2010

The last time England and Germany met was in Italy 1990, and the match saw the Germans as winners and the eventual Champions of the World Cup ’90. One point of pride of the English at that time was that they lost against the champions and not any other team. This time around, whether it is pride or shame, war or beautiful game, controversy will be the eventual winners of the match.

First, Wayne Rooney will hold a Vuvuzela and blow it into the cameraman while heading into the dressing rooms, regardless of the match result and saying: “Nice to see me booing the home fans now, they can also “Youtube” it over and over again!”

Then comes Der Kaiser, Frantz Beckenbauer, and claims that “his” Germany was never a World Cup material since Ballack got injured before the tournament. He also adds that Kevin-Prince Boateng was his legitimate replacement but the department of immigration got mixed up and gave the citizenship to his younger brother Jérôme Boateng instead.

And when everyone is involved in the match action, John Terry will be gone missing. A “Yellow Tabloid” fellow countryman will publish the photos of JT with Victoria Beckham swapping Twitter account names while David Beckham stayed the full match on the bench acting as the manager of the English team.

Crossing the lines, the headlines will come in the shape of the English Goalkeeper. The World will be stunned when Dida, the ex-Brazilian international, will be in the English starting eleven. Don Fabio will justify the decision by a written special permit from Sepp Blatter allowing him to replace “Calamity” James.

Last but not least, the referee will disallow three goals for Miroslav Klose claiming that he should have scored them using his feet not his head. In addition, Thomas Müller will miss 10 easy chances and he will blame that on his parents because they should have called him Gerd instead of Thomas.

Note: The above is meant to be cynical and has no relation to reality

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Germany vs Ghana

By
Omar Al-Duri
– June 24, 2010

In my opinion this Group deserves a group Post as its been an unbelievable roller coaster ride for Australia,Germany,Serbia and Ghana leaving this group wide open to advance to the finals.Australia opened the tournament with a damaging 4-0 defeat to Germany who stamped their authority on the group and were bookmarked as a threat in the competition.Australia were hurt bad not only by the result or the manner they lost but to also miss the presence of their inspirational Captain Tim Cahil. Ghana kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 win over Serbia enticing us with their determination and youthful excitement,being the youngest team in the tournament at the average age of 24.Ghana and Australia canceled each other in a draw but the surprise result of the group came from Serbia who defeated Germany and deserved the victory.The group was starting to shape itself as my underdogs in the Competition Ghana were proving to be a handful with the Germans  favourites to top the group despite their blip to Serbia.What was nice to see was the Siblings  greeting each other before the game as the two nations locked horns.Kevin Prince Boateng and Jerome Boateng had to put family aside as the two nations prepared to advance to the next round with their family split in the middle between which nation to support.In what was a thrilling encounter Group D was brought to a conclusion with the Germans defeating Ghana 1-0.

Ozil who helped demolish the Australians in the 1st game was extremely influential again scoring the winner with a fantastic strike  from outside the Area.Ghana did show positive signs in committing players forward and hitting the Germans on the counter.Captain Phillip Lahm received Criticism from some ex professionals on his leadership qualities but surely would of silenced them after an inspiring performance throwing his body on the line and showing the commitment any Manager would be proud of. Germany 1 Ghana 0

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Lessons from the Past

By
Mohamed Harb
– June 20, 2010

Matchday two of the group stage has been fairly good if compared to the first 16 matches played in the World Cup 2010. The results have caused some havoc for the big teams especially England and Germany. However, looking at previous World Cup Tournaments will assure the fans around the Globe that those results might be the indication of future success. There are many lessons that have been extracted from the previous tournaments and I will be highlighting a couple of them.

Starting with England, the situation doesn’t look as bad. Away from the fact that Rooney has yet to find his shooting boots, a win against Slovenia will result in an automatic qualification to the knockout stage. English fans should remember that the last time England reached the last four was in 1990. In that specific tournament a win against Egypt on the last day of the group stage earned the “Three Lions” their qualification after some sloppy displays at the early beginning.

Moving on to Germany, the last time they lost in the World Cup group stage was in 1986 against Denmark; and in that tournament Germany finished as runners up. Looking at the current situation of the Germans, a win will earn them the qualification to the next round, keeping in mind the saying: “When the Germans play bad they win titles.”

As to Brazil, fans and pundits alike were expecting a big result against North Korea. That didn’t happen. A modest display ended with a 2-1 win for the Samba players and no one was convinced with the display. Regardless of the result, the Brazilian squad looked too similar to the squad of ’94 where no one liked the way they played but Brazil was crowned as the World Champions.

It is still too early to change your bets and wagers if you have placed any on England, Germany, Brazil, and even Italy. Their chances are still alive and the next games will tell.

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Serbia vs Germany

By
Omar Al-Duri
– June 18, 2010

Congratulations the World Cup has finally kicked off and we were treated to some awesome football today.Germany kicked us off having thumped Australia and appearing in the front of the cue in terms of displaying what football is all about,facing a different opposition today in Serbia who as highlighted in the beginning of the tournament weren’t to be taken lightly with the players they have who are used to Champions League football.Germany striker Miroslav Klose was controversially sent off by Spanish referee Alberto Undiano for two bookable offences after 37 minutes.The referee had set the tempo but cautioning allot of players booking 4 players in 18 minutes and one of the key factors in being a referee is to be consistent with the decisions and the calls.A minute later Serbia broke the deadlock with Milan Jovanovic firing home from Nikola Zigic’s knockdown.Many managers will be looking at the towering striker wondering how they will be dealing with him in the competition as his presence is hard to ignore especially when he throws his weight around.There were many talking points in the game and the Germans did feel hard done by conceding so close to the sending off.If the Germans needed a lifeline they certainly got that from the ever reliable Manchester united Star Vidic who is normally the rock of any side he is in.

Vidic outrageously rose unchallenged to handle the ball with no pressure either side from a floated ball by Lukas Podolski who looked threatening the whole game.Its the second handball in as many games with Kuzmanovic making the exact mistake against Ghana.Up step Podolski and with the success rate the Germans have had over the years in taking penalties a rarity happened when Stojkovic  came to the rescue diving to his left side to save the penalty and save Vidics blushes.Low’s men belatedly responded with midfielder Sami Khedira firing against the underside of the crossbar and Thomas Muller forcing a goal-line clearance from Aleksandar Kolarov with his follow-up in injury time, but Serbia held out.Serbia might have increased their lead, but Jovanovic’s 67th-minute shot came back off the post and Zigic’s header clipped the bar seven minutes later with Neuer beaten.Kloses dismissal did make a different but that shouldn’t take away the gutsy performance by serbia as the result was a fair reflection of the game at the end with Serbia just shading it.The withdrawal of Mesut Ozil did seem to delay their rhythm despite putting another attacker on in Cacao.The Germans are certainly not out of it and can be seen as a wounded Animal as they head into their last game hurt by this result,looking to rejuvenate their pride against Ghana. Serbia 1 Germany 0

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Germany vs Austrailia

By
Omar Al-Duri
– June 14, 2010

 

Every tournament Germany are always over looked as the outsiders from the supposed big forces with Brazil, Argentina, Spain and Italy always highlighted the favourites. Question marks before the game on the balance of the team having Michael Ballack their “star player” crocked with an injury. Joachim Low’s youthful outfit dismantled their ageing Group D opponents to top the table after becoming the first side in the South Africa finals to amass more than two goals. One thing that must be said about Joachim Low being Klinsmanns assistant for a long time he really is starting to look the part not only as a tactician but a sense of style in the managers approach.There have been plenty of European club teams who have lost their managers and im sure after this tournament his name will be mentioned more.

The Germans looked like a force to reckon with and surely sent shock waves to England who they may meet if England finish second in their respective group. However, Australia who were high on confidence before the game would not have had any favours having Tim Cahil sent of for a lunge in which in fairness did try to pull out of the challenge but was too late. Cahill became the fourth player to see red in this year’s tournament after the Australia midfielder’s clumsy challenge on Bastian Schweinsteiger before Muller scored his first goal in national colours in the 68th minute.Miroslav Klose extended his World Cup scoring spree as he took advantage of some lax Australia defending to head home his 11th finals goal from Philipp Lahm’s searching cross.Lukas Podolski put the Germans in front within eight minutes with an unstoppable drive after latching onto Thomas Muller’s centre. The Star of the show for the German side for me was Turkish born Mehmit Ozil who did have a dispute over him between the two countries in which he opted for Germany. HIs creativity and death touch was to be admired and almost scored again after latching onto a wonderful through ball by Podolski only to over run the ball around Mark Shworzer who had an excellent season with Fulham.And there was time for Cacau(The brazilian born player) to come off the bench and add a fourth two minutes later, as Low’s side rubber-stamped their World Cup credentials with an emphatic win at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Germany 4 Austrailia 0

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