Minute by Minute: Germany - Spain
June 30, 2008
VIENNA, Jun 29 (SW) - Euro 2008 culminates with today’s final between Germany and Spain. SoccerWay keeps you up to date with the latest.
Final score: 0-1
More match information: Here. Match Video Highlight
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FULL-TIME: It’s all over! Spain win their first major tournament in 44 years and were the better side in doing it. Valiant effort from Germany, but Torres was the difference and Spain are the kings of Europe in 2008!
Minute 90+2: Spain still going for goal. The ball is played in for Xabi Alonso, but Lehmann thwarts him at the last second.
Minute 90+1: Cross comes in from the right, but it’s too long for Gomez. Throw to Spain.
Minute 90: Germany finally manage to get in the area, but Gomez goes into the back of Capdevila. Three minutes added on by Rosetti.
Minute 88: Kuranyi again slides in on Senna, this time earning the striker a booking.
Minute 87: Germany caught offside, but they are playing more side to side, rather than ahead.
Minute 86: Xavi takes it, but it’s well over the top. Germany need to launch an attack quickly.
Minute 85: Kuranyi concedes a free kick in the center of the pitch 25 yards out against Senna.
Minute 84: Spain are on the attack. Needing an equalizer, Germany are spending a lot of time in their own half.
Minute 81: Senna nearly puts the game away! Cazorla’s cross is played back to center by a Güiza header, but the holding midfielder couldn’t quite reach to it.
Minute 80: Capdevila tries a tough shot from a tight angle, but Lehmann has it.
Minute 79: Also a third change for Germany as Mario Gómez comes for Klose. Two identical switches for Germany and Spain.
Minute 78: It’s the third and final switch for Spain, the goalscorer Torres replaced by Dani Güiza.
Minute 77: Torres tries to cross it to the center, but it’s blocked out for a corner, which amounts to a Cazorla cross going untouched across goal.
Minute 76: Torres puts a good move to put Mertesacker on his backside, but the touch is heavy and Lehmann takes it.
Minute 74: Torres is booked by Rosetti for an aerial challenge on Mertesacker.
Minute 74: Germany trying to push forward, but Ballack is offside and Spain can clear their lines.
Minute 71: Frings takes it, but a powerful punch for Casillas clears the threat.
Minute 70: Free kick won by Jansen as Ramos impeded his run.
Minute 69: Iniesta again gets a shot off in the area, but it’s right at Lehmann.
Minute 68: The corner kick is played short to Iniesta, but his laser shot is cleared off the line by Frings.
Minute 67: Poor German defending almost lets Ramos in! Free kick comes in to the far post and Ramos’ header is a free one getting in behind Jansen, but it’s right at Lehmann.
Minute 66: Silva now comes off with Santi Cazorla replacing him. Another defensive-minded switch by Aragonés.
Minute 64: Some players are steaming as David Silva and Podolski looked to try to be headbutting each other. In any event, the referee didn’t see it, and Schweinsteiger’s free kick again sails over the top.
Minute 63: First switch for Spain as Fabregas comes off to be replaced by Xabi Alonso.
Minute 62: Schweinsteiger puts in a good ball that only narrowly misses finding Klose on the doorstep. Better spell from Germany and their best period of sustained pressure in the match.
Minute 61: Great cross from the left by Ballack almost finds the head of a charging Kuranyi, but Casillas just gets to it.
Minute 60: More good play for Germany as Schweinsteiger flicks forward in the center for Kuranyi, but the flag went up on the Schalke forward.
Minute 60: Jansen recovers from losing the ball and crosses in for Schweinsteiger. The midfielder plays it back for Ballack, but his half-volley goes just wide. That’s the closest Germany have been for awhile.
Minute 59: Great service in from Ramos on the right side of the area, but it goes out for a goal kick with Lehmann diving at it.
Minute 58: Kevin Kuranyi replaces Hitzlsperger, giving Germany two strikers up front. This will also likely bring Frings forward a bit more into a tradition 4-4-2.
Minute 55: Xavi’s ball finds Torres who tries to slide in and poke past Lehmann, but the keeper gets there first and is able to avert the threat.
Minute 54: Silva sends in a shot to the far post from the corner, but Ramos fails to re-direct it, and the ball goes out for a goal kick.
Minute 54: Xavi tees one up from outside the area, but Lehmann just touches it out for the corner kick.
Minute 53: Jansen tries to play in Podolski, but he is swarmed by the red shirts of Spain, and there is no danger.
Minute 47: Ball coming over the top finds Klose, but the striker is offside.
Minute 46: One change for Germany as left-back Marcell Jansen has replaced Philipp Lahm, who had a disappointing first half.
HALF-TIME: It’s the midway point of the Euro 2008 final and Spain are in control. They have the goal from Torres, and have looked the more likely to score for most of the opening period. Germany will need to push forward in greater frequency in the second half.
Minute 45: Counter by the Spanish ends with a cross from Iniesta being blocked out for a corner by Mertesacker.
Minute 43: Double booking for Ballack and Casillas. The two captains were jawing back and forth as Ballack committed a foul as Spain broke.
Minute 41: Hitzlsperger’s corner is punched out by Casillas, but Germany get another one.
Minute 40: Ballack is finally back on. Hitzlsperger takes a free kick from the right side, but it’s headed away by Senna. Goes out for a corner, though.
Minute 39: Iniesta slides a pass through into the area for Silva, but he can’t handle it.
Minute 37: Schweinsteiger takes it and uncharacteristically skies it over the top.
Minute 37: Free kick for Germany about 25 yards out in the left channel. No Ballack for it. He’s getting stitched up after a clash in the air with Marcos Senna.
Minute 35: Silva squanders a chance. Iniesta crosses into plenty of open space, but the Valencia man’s volley is ballooned. He could have done much more with it.
Minute 33: GOAL SPAIN (0-1) FERNANDO TORRES looked like he had been bested by the German defense, but he manages to poke it past Lehmann! Xavi’s ball was out in front of him, but the striker brushed Lahm aside and poked past a charging Lehmann.
Minute 31: Fabregas takes a low effort form 25 yards out, but Lehmann is able to trap it after it came through several sets of legs.
Minute 29: Appeals for handball against Marchena, but Rosetti ignores their pleas.
Minute 26: Capdevila, who is playing well so far, crosses low to the near post, but Lehmann confidently snags it.
Minute 25: It comes back into the area for Ballack on the half-volley, but it hits a leaping Ramos in the ribcage.
Minute 25: Podolski tries to cross in from the left for Schweinsteiger, but it deflects for a corner kick. Schweinsteiger’s inswinger is headed down by Puyol.
Minute 23: Torres hits the post! Cross comes in from the right from Ramos, and the striker rises over Mertesacker, but heads onto the upright. Capdevila follows with a blast, but it swerves wide of the target.
Minute 20: The set piece is crossed in, but headed over the top.
Minute 19: Torres’ move for the ball is impeded on the right touchline by Metzelder. Free kick to Spain.
Minute 16: Torres crosses into open space, but to no one in particular and Spain concede possession to the Germans.
Minute 14: Iniesta crosses back to the center, but it goes off an unsuspecting Metzelder, forcing Lehmann into a diving save.
Minute 12: Schweinsteiger’s ball in for Klose is touched out for a corner kick that is taken by Schweini, but punched away by Casillas.
Minute 9: Klose lays it off for Hitzlsperger to crack at from the top of the area, but the midfielder’s shot lacks power and Casillas comfortably gathers.
Minute 8: A nice touch on the left by Ballack slips his marker, but the ensuing cross goes across the face of goal with no one on the end to put it home.
Minute 7: Silva’s throughball finds Capdevila heading for the left corner, but the full-back is a good four yards offside.
Minute 5: Germany build nicely up the left side, but the cross of Lahm is wayward and lands on top of the goal. Goal kick for Casillas.
Minute 4: Xavi plays it over the top for Torres, but the Liverpool striker drifts narrowly offside.
Minute 4: Horrible giveaway by Sergio Ramos whose errant pass finds Miroslav Klose, but his touch lets him down and the chance goes begging.
Minute 3: Spain have held it since the beginning but have failed to advance the ball much as of yet.
Kickoff: They’ve shaken hands, the coin’s been flipped and the whistle sounds. Game on in Vienna!
PRE-GAME: It’s anthem time. Spain’s "Marcha Real" will play first, followed by Germany’s "Deutschlandlied".
PRE-GAME: For those of you in support of referees during football matches, time to dig out your Roberto Rosetti kit for today’s final. The Italian will be assisted by Alessandro Griselli and Paolo Calcagno. The man designated with the task of putting up with the constant bickering of Aragonés and Löw is Sweden’s Peter Fröjdfeldt, today’s fourth official.
PRE-GAME: The closing ceremony is taking place right now. Lots of balloons. It’s colorful and entertaining, but it’s football all the people want to see. About 12 minutes from kickoff.
SPAIN TEAM NEWS: A big blow for Luis Aragonés and Spain, as striker and tournament top scorer David Villa is out with a groin injury. Therefore, Spain will revert to their former one-striker system. Cesc Fabregas goes from the start in an advanced midfield role.
GERMANY TEAM NEWS: Germany captain Michael Ballack was a serious doubt leading up to the match with a calf strain, but he has been passed fit and starts for Joachim Löw, who goes with just one change from the side that beat Russia 3-0 on Thursday as Torsten Frings re-enters the starting XI for Simon Rolfes.
History: Despite the long history between these two nations, this will be the first time they have ever contested the final of a major tournament against one another. Their most recent meeting was in February 2003, a 3-1 friendly win for Spain in Mallorca.
History: Spain were beaten by West Germany in the 1982 World Cup, the Germans ousting the hosts at the second group phase before going on to lose the final to Italy. They also previous met in 1966 in England, and 1994 in the USA.
History: This is the 20th all-time meeting between Spain and Germany/West Germany. Germany have won eight times, Spain five times, and six times they have played to a draw. Competitively, they have faced off seven times before: three times in a World Cup finals, twice in European qualifying, and twice in a European finals.
TEAMS
Germany (4-2-3-1): Jens Lehmann; Arne Friedrich, Per Mertesacker, Christoph Metzelder, Philipp Lahm; Torsten Frings, Thomas Hitzlsperger; Bastian Schweinsteiger, Michael Ballack, Lukas Podolski; Miroslav Klose.
Spain (4-1-4-1): Iker Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Carlos Marchena, Carles Puyol, Joan Capdevila; Marcos Senna; Andrés Iniesta, Xavi, Cesc Fabregas, David Silva; Fernando Torres.
Popularity: 2% [?]
2008-06-29 - Germany v Spain
June 28, 2008
UEFA Euro 2008 - Final
Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna
Sunday 29th June 2008 - KO 19:45
After 30 games over 3 weeks, Euro 2008 reaches its climax on Sunday as Germany take on Spain in Vienna at 7:45pm.
Despite being labelled a ‘poor’ German team by many pundits, they have, as they did in 2002 and 2006, overcome these criticisms to show you can never write of the Germans.
As always Spain entered the competition with great expectations, but this time there was also a real belief amongst both the squad and the fans that this side had the resilience needed to win a major tournament.
GERMANY 4-0-1 10:6
Three times champions Germany look to continue their impressive form in this competition as they enter their sixth final, but their first in twelve years.
Although they started the tournament as favourites, due in part to the relative weakness of Group B, many people believed their workman like team would struggle against more skilled outfits once they reached the knockout stages.
Their first real challenge came against a fancied Portuguese team, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, who had been impressive in their first two group games.
However, early goals from Bastain Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose gave the Portuguese a shock they could not recover from, despite Nuno Gomes’ reply five minutes from half time. Germany were never truly stretched, and in the 62nd minute Ballack sealed it with a header from a Schweinsteiger free kick, despite Postiga’s consolation goal three minutes from time.
The semi final win over a depleted Turkey was not as comfortable, as first they had to come from behind, and then score in injury time to seal their place in Vienna.
Germany were big favourites to beat the injury ravaged Turks, but were outplayed in the first half, and were fortunate to be level at half time. Ugar Boral had given Turkey a deserved lead after they dominated the opening twenty minutes, but that lead lasted just five minutes as Schweinsteiger flicked in a cross from Podolski.
In a tight second half Klose looked to have won it for the Germans ten minutes from time as he capitalised on a mistake from Rustu to head Germany into the lead.
However the Turks have made scoring late goals their speciality in this tournament, and did it again for the fourth game in a row, thanks to Semih Sentruck, and everyone prepared for extra time.
Everyone except Phillip Lahm that is, as his surging run from full back caught the Turks napping, and he lashed home Hitzlspe rger‘s pass from six yards to seal Germany’s place in the final.
SPAIN 4-1-0 11:3
Spain have been the neutral’s choice due to their open and exciting approach, and are the tournament’s top scorers with 11 goals, one more than the Germans, while David Villa is the top scorer so far with four, three of which came in their opening game, where they swept aside the Russians 4-1.
Consecutive 2-1 wins in their final two group games against Sweden and Greece earned them top spot in Group D, and a quarter final clash with the Italians.
The two sides took very different approaches to the game, resulting in Spain dominating the 90 minutes as their attacking brand of football was restrained by the Italians typical defensive position.
Spain had the best chances in normal time, coming closest to scoring when Buffon spilled Marco Senna’a shot, only to see it hit the post and come back into his arms. The match inevitably went to penalties and looked set to favour the Italians, as it looked as though they had played for that outcome since the start.
History was also not on Spain’s side, as they had previously lost three quarter finals by penalty shot outs, all on the 22nd June. However, this time they held their nerve to win the shoot out 4-2, Casillas saving two kicks to give Fabregas the chance to shoot the Spanish into the semi-final.
Their semi final pitted them against their opponents from the first round, a Russian team this time with Andrei Arshavin. The opening half was tight, with both teams predictably cancelling each other out following their opening group game.
The second half saw the attacking Spain of the last three weeks emerge, with Fabregas, who had come on for an injured David Villa, and Xavi opening the scoring on 50 minutes. Guiza and Silva then put the game beyond the Russians with strikes in the 73rd and 82nd minute respectively, to seal Spain’s first tournament final place since the Euros of 1984.
HEAD TO HEAD
Germany and Spain have met each other 19 times, and Germany have won eight of these contests, while Spain proved the strongest on five occasions.
At the World Cup and European Championship, the two teams have played each other five times, with Germany winning three times and Spain having the upper hand only once.
The last time these two met was a friendly in February 2003, which Spain won 3-1.
TEAM NEWS
Germany coach Joachim Low must decide whether to recall Torsten Frings for Sunday’s Euro 2008 final against Spain.
The midfielder has declared himself fit after recovering from a broken rib and could replace Simon Rolfes (cut eye) in the only change to the side.
Spain striker David Villa will miss Sunday’s Euro 2008 final against Germany, the Spanish football federation have confirmed.
Villa, 26, injured a thigh muscle in Thursday’s semi-final win over Russia.
THE VERDICT
Looking at the tournament as a whole, Spain have produced the better record and against tougher teams - and with the semi-final in mind it’s easy to see why Spain are considered warm favourites.
Taking each round seperately, there would only be one occasion so far when I would give Germany the nod, and that would be in the Quarter-finals when I felt the 3-2 win over Portugal was a better performance than Spain’s 0-0 draw with Italy.
The absence of David Villa is a "headline" blow, but in truth Villa only scored in the group games, and if his absence means that Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas starts then I would argue that it actually makes Spain stronger.
The only concern might be if Aragones takes a cautious approach and decides to revert to a 4-5-1 with Torres upfront as a lone striker - because that’s a plan that might result in a DRAW at 90 minutes.
Given my estimated percentages, I’m looking for prices of 3.30 on Germany or the Draw and a price of 2.50 on Spain - and the bookmakers are also pitching the game around that level.
The Pick :
PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :
FIXED ODDS BETTING :
I see this game as being much like the 2002 World Cup final - with a hardworking German team up against a more skillful opponent. It was close for a long time but eventually Brazil won 2-0.
So I’m going to oppose my percentages a bit and take SPAIN to win here - assuming that having Fabregas on from the start might actually raise that winning chance a bit and make the prices fair value.
Beware the German experience and craftiness though - you can never write them off - so a correct score saver of 1-1 DRAW might be worth a play.
(or else check out that "cash-back" page - to see which bookmakers are offering an angle to give you a bit of "insurance" if the bet goes wrong)
Good luck - and I hope the previews have been helpful for you this month!
Popularity: 2% [?]
Minute by Minute: Germany - Turkey
June 26, 2008
Final score: 3-2
More match information: Here.
Feel free to register or log in and start using the ‘discuss’ option below to give your opinion on this match!
FULL TIME - German secure a spot in the final after a true thriller. Turkey are out of the tournament but not without delivering a real battle.
Minute 94: Altintop wastes the chance as it goes well over the crossbar.
Minute 93: Probably Turkey’s last chance as they get a free kick in a good position right in front of the goal.
Minute 92: Kazim Kazim has just come off for Tümer Metin and Miroslav Klose makes way for Janssen.
Minute 90: GOAL GERMANY (3-2) PHILIPP LAHM - This should really be it! A beautiful German attack ends with Lahm storming towards the goal and slamming the ball past Rüstü to restore Germany’s lead!
Minute 90: Semih sends a shot wide of the right post.
Minute 88: A fan came onto the pitch and needed to be caught by security officials. He has been now.
Minute 86: GOAL TURKEY (2-2) - SEMIH SENTÜRK - Turkey have done it again!! Sabri does well to get past Lahm and passes to Semih who manages to put the ball past Lehmann for 2-2!
Minute 84: Goalscorer Ugur Boral has come off for another striker, Gökdeniz Karadeniz.
Minute 83: Rüstü collects a low cross from Podolski.
Minute 82: Turkey escaped with late goals in three consecutive games. Can they do it again?
Minute 81: Terim reacts and brings on the young striker Mevlüt Erdinç for Ayhan Akman.
Minute 79: GOAL GERMANY (2-1) MIROSLAV KLOSE - A diagonal cross from the left wing is misjudged by Rüstü which allows Klose to head in for 2-1! About ten minutes to go and the Germans lead!
Minute 73: Thomas Hitzlsperger shoots again and this time it sails about 10 centimeters past the left post. Good effort.
Minute 66: The second half hasn’t been quite as entertaining as the first as Turkey have left more of the initiative to Germany.
Minute 62: A big power hit at the satellite park has caused trouble for all of the world’s television and radio channels. Luckily no goals during that black out.
Minute 58: Ballack takes the free kick but it’s blocked.
Minute 57: Free kick to Germany in a dangerous position although there didn’t really seem to be a foul. Busacca seems shaky at the moment and has made some bad calls. He also failed to show players where the limits are as he hasn’t pulled a single yellow card.
Minute 55: Hitzlsperger shows himself with a powerful distance shot but it flies a meter over the goal.
Minute 55: Friedrichs tries to reach a team mate in the Turkish area but his pass is cleared.
Minute 53: A second look confirms that if it was a foul, it would have been just outside the penalty area.
Minute 51: Lahm is brought down by a Turkish player in the penalty area but referee Busacca saw nothing and waves play on.
Minute 50: A free kick from Ugur Boral is controlled by Lehmann.
Minute 46: The second half begins without Rolfes, whose injury seems to be too serious to continue. Frings is his replacement.
HALF TIME - The first half has been very entertaining with one goal each. Turkey were stronger though and could have scored more.
Minute 45: The stitches are working now apparently as Rolfes just returned to the action. Frings was waiting at the side line but it looks like he won’t be needed now.
Minute 44: Rolfes is still bleeding meanwhile and unfortunately, the situation forces Joachim Löw to replace the player with Torsten Frings, who should come on soon.
Minute 42: Sabri sends a shot just over the crossbar. The Turks are still stronger in this game despite the equaliser.
Minute 41: The ball ends up in front of Altintop but the attacker can’t control it. If he had, it would have been a huge chance.
Minute 40: Ayhan and Rolfes clash their heads and both seem hurt. In fact both are bleeding and stitches will be needed.
Minute 38: Boral shoots on goal despite the difficult angle but Lehmann boxes it away. This time the goalkeeper looked confident.
Minute 37: Lahm brings down Kazim near the penalty area on the right side, and Turkey get a free kick.
Minute 34: Podolski has only the goalkeeper to beat but has to shoot early due to pressure from the defenders. It goes over the crossbar.
Minute 31: Altintop swings in a free kick from the left wing and almost surprises Lehmann, but the keeper tips it over the bar at the last moment.
Minute 29: Turkey attack again and Sabri crosses to Semih whose header is controlled by Lehmann.
Minute 28: A second Turkish goal actually seemed much more likely but the Germans somehow managed to get themselves back into this game.
Minute 26: GOAL GERMANY (1-1) - BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER - Lukas Podolski comes down the left wing and sends in a cross, and Schweinsteiger levels the score! What a match.
Minute 26: A corner kick is headed on by Aurelio and Semih only just misses the ball. Would have been another good chance.
Minute 25: Semih tries to launch a shot on goal from the edge of the penalty area but has it blocked by a German.
Minute 24: It’s the first time at Euro 2008 that Turkey actually open the score themselves. And it’s deserved.
Minute 22: GOAL TURKEY (0-1) - UGUR BORAL - Kazim Kazim hits the crossbar for the second time but this time Ugur Boral stands in the right place to push the ball past Lehmann in the rebound!!
Minute 18: Danger now near the Turkish goal but Topal manages to clear and avoids a good chance for Ballack.
Minute 13: Great chance for Turkey but Kazim Kazim’s shot bounches off the crossbar! Semih then has a shot deflected by a defender.
Minute 8: Altintop takes advantage of a defensive error by Lahm but then finds Lehmann in his way. Right now it’s only Turkey who attack.
Minute 7: Kazim Kazim shoots on goal but has his effort saved by Jens Lehmann. Quite a powerful attempt.
Minute 6: Ugur comes down the left wing but his cross is cleared by a German.
Minute 2: Germany have taken the initiative in the opening minutes, which was to be expected. For Turkey, this match is about surviving.
Kick-off: The first Euro 2008 semi final has started!
Pre-match: It’s perfect weather for football in Basel with a comfortable temperature and just the occasional cloud.
Pre-match: Up to half a million Germans and Turks are watching tonight’s match from a square in Berlin. Should be heated afterwards!
Pre-match: Germany have a fit selection ahead of today’s clash but Turkey have less luxury as a large amount of players is either suspended or injured. Fatih Terim did manage to list 18 players but not all of those on the bench will be able to play.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Germany v Turkey (Semi Final 1)
June 25, 2008
UEFA EURO 2008 SEMI-FINAL
Date: Wed 25 June Kick-off: 1945 BST Venue: St Jakob-Park, Basel
Turkey coach Fatih Terim has been hit by injuries and suspension
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Germany coach Joachim Low said Torsten Frings could play against Turkey despite suffering from a fractured rib.
The midfielder was back in training on Monday having missed the quarter-final win over Portugal.
Turkey face the prospect of having just 13 outfield players available for their Euro 2008 semi-clash.
Keeper Volkan Demirel will miss out after his two-match ban was upheld for a red card against Czech Republic and Emre (hamstring) was also ruled out.
Coach Terim said Tumer Metin might be able to play the last 30 minutes of the match despite suffering from a groin strain and he may also have to field third-choice keeper Tolgan Zengin because of the injury crisis.
"He could come on towards the end as a sub as last man in defence or a centre forward," he said.
The Turks were without six players when they beat Croatia 3-1 in a penalty shoot-out in the quarter-finals Friday, and lost a further three - Tuncay Sanli, Arda Turan and Emre Asik - to suspension after picking up yellow cards during the match at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna.
Striker Nihat Kahveci was ruled out of the tournament on Sunday with a thigh injury, but Uefa insists it will not be making a special dispensation for Turkey to call up more players to their squad.
Defensive midfielder Mehmet Aurelio returns from a one-match ban, but keeper Volkan still has one game left on his suspension.
Uefa spokesman William Gaillard said: "You can’t replace any players after the first game of the tournament has been played.
"We know some teams are facing difficulties, but this is a hard rule of the tournament. We have no intention of changing the tournament rules.
"If a team only had eight players to choose from before a match, then we might call an emergency meeting. But we have had no requests and we would find it a bit difficult changing now."
BIG MATCH STATS
Head-to-heads
Germany and Turkey have played each other on 17 occasions with Germany winning 11 and losing three.
Turkey are unbeaten in three successive meetings with Germany, recording two wins and one draw.
Germany’s last win over the Turks dates back to May 1992, when they won 1-0 in a friendly encounter.
Their only previous meetings at a major tournament came at the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland, when West Germany won 4-1 and 7-2.
Their last meeting in all competitions was a friendly in October 2005, in which Turkey prevailed 2-1 in Istanbul, through goals by Halil Altintop and Nuri Sahin. Oliver Neuville scored the German goal in injury time.
Played five previous European Championship semi-final matches, progressing on four occasions.
Their sole semi-final defeat came in 1988, when West Germany were knocked out by eventual winners the Netherlands (2-1).
Both Germany and Turkey finished second in their group at Euro 2008. The last two European champions (Greece in 2004 and France in 2000) also finished second in their group.
Team facts - Turkey
This is Turkey’s first European Championship semi-final. Their only previous appearance in the last four of a major tournament came at the 2002 World Cup when they were defeated 1-0 by Brazil.
Been in the lead for only nine minutes in their four matches played at Euro 2008. Including injury time, Turkey were in the lead for 2.5 minutes against Switzerland and 6.5 minutes against the Czech Republic.
Player facts - Germany
Bastian Schweinsteiger has a goal, an assist, a yellow card and a red card to his name at Euro 2008. The only other player to have achieved this feat is Denmark’s Klaus Berggreen in 1984.
If he plays, Kevin Kuranyi will win his 50th cap for Germany. He made his international debut in March 2003 in a 1-1 draw against Lithuania.
Michael Ballack has scored in two successive European Championship matches (against Portugal and Austria).
Ballack and Lukas Podolski both need two goals to equal Jurgen Klinsmann’s German record of five in the European Championship.
Ballack has now scored 38 international goals. Only six German players (Muller, Klinsmann, Voller, Rummenigge, Seeler and Klose) have scored more goals.
Player facts - Turkey
By scoring twice at Euro 2008, Arda Turan, Nihat Kahveci and Semih Senturk have all equalled Hakan Sukur as Turkey’s joint top scorers in European Championship history.
If they take to the field, Hamit Altintop will come up against his Bayern Munich team mates Marcell Jansen, Phillip Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski.
If he plays, Gokdeniz Karadeniz will win his 50th cap for Turkey. He made his international debut in a 4-0 defeat against the Czech Republic in April 2003.
35-year-old Rustu Recber is the oldest ever Turkish player in a major tournament (European Championship and World Cup combined). Rustu is Turkey’s most capped player with 117 internationals and also the most experienced Turkish player in the European Championship with eight matches to his name.
Tuncay Sanli, Arda Turan and Emre Asik are suspended for this semi-final. Goalkeeper Volkan Demirel is also suspended pending his appeal.
So far, Turkey have received 15 cards at Euro 2008, only four shy of the competition record set by the Czech Republic in 1996.
Popularity: 2% [?]
Germany vs Portugal Preview
June 19, 2008
Germany vs Portugal: Road to Quarter Final
Germany started the tournament defeating Poland 2-0 in Group B in style. However, they got stuck in the second match being lost to an inspired Croatia team 2-1. With that defeat, Germany was left on the verge of elimination, and draw was required for Germany in the last match against Austria in order to progress to the last eight of the tournament. Germany clinched the victory thanks to a superb Michael Ballack free kick against Austria. So, Germany reached the quarter final as the group B runner up.
Portugal also got off to a good start with a 2-0 victory against Turkey in group A. Portugal ensured their place in the quarter final after defeating Czech Republic 3-1 in the second match. Naturally, the last match against Switzerland became a mere formality against a spirited Switzerland team who were determined to leave the tournament with something to cherish for a long time and they got their first Euro victory against group leader Portugal who drafted a second-string squad in the last match giving rest some of its regular members. Even with this defeat, Portugal came into the last eight as the winner of group A.
Germany vs Portugal: Head to Head and Recent Form
Germany and Portugal met each other last time in the third/fourth place deciding match of 2006 FIFA World Cup, where Germany defeated Portugal 3-1 to win the third place of the world cup. The two sides faced each other five times so far, with Germany winning twice and Portugal winning once, while two matches finishing in draw.
Germany and Portugal faced each other in European championship last time was in Euro 2000, were Portugal won by 3-0. Now, the two sides are facing each other once again tomorrow. Let us have a look at the recent form of Germany and Portugal.
Germany won five out of their last seven matches in all competitions, besides a defeat and a draw. However, Portugal’s performance is not that impressive with only three victories, three defeats and a draw in their last seven matches.
German goal keeper Jens Lehmann Found Recipe to Stop Cristiano Ronaldo
There is no doubt that Cristiano Ronaldo is the top gun of Portuguese side and to some extent Portugal’s success in the match depends on the performance of the Manchester United star. However, German goal keeper Jens Lehmann has found out a way to stop this ‘seemingly unstoppable’ midfielder, who is currently in the forefront of winning FIFA Footballer of the Year Award. The Arsenal goal keeper learnt the recipe from his former colleagues in the defense of Arsenal.
Telegraph reported:
“Ronaldo is a player who can make all the difference,” said Lehmann. “He is very pleasant to watch playing, but my former colleagues in the Arsenal defence found a very good recipe to stop him. I will not explain to you now how this recipe works, but I know how you can play effectively against him and I have already spoken to our defender Arne Friedrich about it.”
German coach Joachim Löw, no doubt, would appreciate Lehmann sharing the recipe with his German teammates. However, let us see if if the recipe really works, because there is no guarantee that the trick that worked a few years back would be quite effective for a more matured and more improved Cristiano Ronaldo.
Germany Worried about Injury Problems
Germany is facing a few injury problems. Lukas Podolsk, who scored three goals so far could miss the game with a calf injury, while midfielder Torsten Frings is yet to recover from his fractured rib and is doubtful for the match. However, the good news for German fans is that midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is expected to come into the match after spending a match in the sideline due to suspension. Among the two strikers, Mario Gomez and Miroslav Klose, Klose is expected to start the match, though he has not been at his best so far in the tournament.
German Coach out of Portugal Encounter
Well, do not think that I am indicating Joachim Löw could have come into the field as a player against Portugal. Actually, Joachim Löw was sent to the stand during Germany’s previous match against Austria following a spat with Austrian counterpart Hickersberger. Now, he has been given a one-match touchline suspension by UEFA. Thus, Joachim Löw will not be able to sit at the bench along with other players during the match aginast Portugal. The coach has to watch the match from the stand. No doubt, it might affect Germany’s performance because he may not be able to take important decisions in the crucial situations. Now, let us see how German players can cope up without getting any direction during the match. Oliver Bierhoff will be the acting manager of Germany for this match.
Michael Ballack vs Cristiano Ronaldo?
There is no doubt that Ballack and Ronaldo are the two key players for Germany and Portugal respectively in the match. Ronaldo’s club Manchester United outclassed Ballack’s Chelsea last season, but this time it could go either way round. Ballack scored from a superb free kick against Austria in the previous match, while Ronaldo also played well in the first two matches. However, ahead of the match of tomorrow, both sides are expecting something special from the two in from midfielders of the tournament. I think, in the disguise of Germany vs Portugal match, there is another competition between Michael Ballack and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Scolari Indicates no Change in the Portugal Squad
Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is not going to bring any significant change in the starting line up that played in the first two group matches. Nuno Gomes is expected to be the long striker while Cristiano Ronaldo and Simao will be employed in the two wings of Portugal. Armando Petit and Joao Moutinho will be in the midfield, while Deco will play as a playmaker. Jose Bosingwa, Ricardo Carvalho, Pepe and Paulo Ferreira will be in the defense along with Ricardo in goalpost. Scolari expressed his respect for Germany, but he also indicated that it did not expect it was going to be his last game with Portugal.
Sky Sported reported:
“I could, but I’m not going to change anything,” he stated. “In principle it will be the same team.”
“I don’t expect it to be my last game with Portugal,” he said. “Everything we have done is one with one objective (to get to the final).
“I have the utmost respect for Germany but I trust my team and I think we are going to go through.”
Considering the group stage performance of the two sides, you may pick either Portugal or Germany as the favorite for the match. However, I think, both the sides have equal chance in the match. Portugal might be slightly stronger on pen and paper, but taking Germany’s fighting spirit into account, I think, it would not be fair to pick up a favorite in the match. Rather, I just hope to see an exciting quarter final match at the St. Jakob-Park, Basel tomorrow.
Who do you think is going to win the match?
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