gillsminnow Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Germany vs Greece Kick Off: 7:45pm GMT Referee: D Skomina Germany coach Joachim Löw issued a strong warning to those who believe his side can already begin planning for the UEFA EURO 2012 semi-finals: "Playing Greece will be akin to colliding with a rock." The three-time European champions go into the tie at the Arena Gdansk on the back of a national-record 14-game winning run in competitive fixtures and, in eight previous meetings with Friday's opponents, have never lost. Yet one statistic weighs heavily in the other column: Greece triumphed at UEFA EURO 2004 when their ambitions were similarly dismissed. "We are the favourites, that's logical and we can live with that," Löw said. "We also know that knockout games have their own character. Once the match starts, being expected to triumph counts for nothing. Greece are not the sort of team that gets ripped apart; we saw that against Russia when they upset the odds [winning 1-0]. You can never count them out." Löw has made just one change to his starting lineup during a tournament which has so far brought wins against Portugal, the Netherlands and Denmark. With Jérôme Boateng available again after suspension and Bastian Schweinsteiger having shaken off an ankle complaint, the 52-year-old is not expected to radically vary his set-up for Greece, a team he describes as "dynamic, good defensively and dangerous on the counterattack". "In a quarter-final you have to make a huge effort," added Löw. "We have so far shown we're fast, capable of creating problems for opponents and able to score good goals. If we run at them in the last third, look to play at a high tempo and display a killer instinct, we will be in a good position to beat them." On their way to victory at UEFA EURO 2004, Greece defeated holders France at the quarter-final stage and their coach this time around, Fernando Santos, spelled out what his team need to do to match that achievement: "We must avoid all mistakes and be focused throughout. That is the only way we will be the team celebrating on the pitch afterwards." Greece made errors in their opening game, but fought back from a man and a goal down to draw with Poland, then lost 2-1 to the Czech Republic before getting back on track with victory over Russia. On Friday they will be without suspended captain Giorgos Karagounis and full-back José Holebas but can take heart from the fact that the Czech loss is their only defeat in 13 games during this campaign. A record as favourable as that makes their billing as David to Germany's Goliath seem somewhat overstated, but Santos is happy to go along with it. "David won that battle against an opponent who was never expected to lose so I'm OK with that," he said. "It's true that in terms of stature and importance Germany are big and they always expect to get far in tournaments. However, we are not here on our holidays. The 2004 team was written off before that tournament and they are our source of inspiration now." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Gonzo Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 There are a lot of rumours reporting that Klose will start. Edit I dunno where this is exactly coming from but many sources say Reus and Schürrle will replace Podolski and Müller. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 I would be amazed if Gomez doesn't start. He couldn't possibly have done much better, could he? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UTT Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 There are a lot of rumours reporting that Klose will start.Edit I dunno where this is exactly coming from but many sources say Reus and Schürrle will replace Podolski and Müller. Reported by BILD supposedly. And Klose is a better player than Gomez. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Gonzo Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Reported by BILD supposedly.And Klose is a better player than Gomez. Yes, BILD is one source. Kicker and Sky confirm it and claim they have their own sources. Can't really believe it but the press did know Gomez and Hummels started the first game and they did know Bender replaced Boateng after his second yellow. ---------------------Klose------------------ -------------------------------------------- Schürrle------------Özil--------------Reus --------------------------------------------- -------Schweinsteiger---Khedira----- --------------------------------------------- Lahm---Badstuber---Hummels---Boateng --------------------------------------------- ------------------Neuer--------------------- Would be awesome! 8) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Not a shabby team, by all means Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leppard Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 I lulzed. Would be really nice to see Klose and Reus start. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BraveSirRobin Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Won't mind a loss (unless it's more than 4-0 ) Then again, if the players prove me wrong, I won't mind it either! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
el sid Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Gomez not starting would be bad for my fantasy team Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
foofighter23 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 can see germany destroying greece tbh, 4-0/4-1 or something. even if greece try to keep it tight i can see a comfortable 2-0. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
5iver Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 If Greece don't concede in the first 30 minutes, we will stand a chance... 1-0 Greece! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
football_master_94 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Miro starting Can only see a German battering here Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbert_o154 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 can see germany destroying greece tbh, 4-0/4-1 or something. even if greece try to keep it tight i can see a comfortable 2-0. I can't see it. Greece to put 12 men behind the ball, Germany struggling to find an opening, 1-0 78th minute. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpfc543 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 C'mon Greece! Arrogant Germans -.- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bootador Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Mon George & Co! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 C'mon Greece! Arrogant Germans -.- It's arrogant to be declared the favorite team by others? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kriss Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Germany to win on penalties, you read it here first Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
el sid Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Has Klose been confirmed as starting? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob1981 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Love to see Greece squeeze through, on the off chance England beat Italy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Whippy Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Greece will win. 90th minute penalty. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Gonzo Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Has Klose been confirmed as starting? Yes. Klose, Reus and Schürrle are officially confirmed. ------------------------------ KLOSE #11 ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------- SCHÜRRLE #9 --------------- ÖZIL #8 ----------------------- REUS #21 ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ ---------------- KHEDIRA #6 ------- SCHWEINSTEIGER #7 ------------ ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ LAHM #16 © --------------------------------------------- BOATENG #20 -------------- BADSTUBER #14 ------ HUMMELS #5 ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------------- NEUER #1 ----------------------------------- http://www.dfb.de/index.php?id=511739&tx_dfbnews_pi1[showUid]=34766&tx_dfbnews_pi4[cat]=168 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Philip Rolfe Posted June 22, 2012 Administrators Share Posted June 22, 2012 Fantastic changes by Germany, the two wide players should be an upgrade on Podolski and Muller right now, at least based on the group stages. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leppard Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Oh man, I'm liking the look of that Germany. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helarxe Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 I expect a goal in the first 10 minutes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DandyDon Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 So does anyone think that those changes are showing a lack of respect for Greece by resting key players in a quarter final? (Like some of the tweets being posted on BBC at the moment) Or do you think that Jogi Luuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrvvve thinks those 3 changes will give him a better chance perhaps of breaking down a stubborn Greek defence. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leppard Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 They'd probably walk into most national teams. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bababui Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Germany has just loaned Greece a goal so for the moment Greece are ahead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaitsev Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 German attack hasn't been amazing so far, have struggled to break teams down. Podolski hasn't been in the tournament at all, whilst Müller hasn't been at his best despite being involved a fair bit. Only a moron would consider it a case of Löw disrespectfully resting players, looks like he's trying to rectify the same issue they had against the Portuguese regarding struggling to break down a heavily defensive team. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Greece to get gang-banged. I predict at least a three goal victory. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bababui Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 German attack hasn't been amazing so far, have struggled to break teams down. Podolski hasn't been in the tournament at all, whilst Müller hasn't been at his best despite being involved a fair bit. Only a moron would consider it a case of Löw disrespectfully resting players, looks like he's trying to rectify the same issue they had against the Portuguese regarding struggling to break down a heavily defensive team. Germany did come through the Group of Death with 3 wins... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Gonzo Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 German attack hasn't been amazing so far, have struggled to break teams down. Podolski hasn't been in the tournament at all, whilst Müller hasn't been at his best despite being involved a fair bit. Only a moron would consider it a case of Löw disrespectfully resting players, looks like he's trying to rectify the same issue they had against the Portuguese regarding struggling to break down a heavily defensive team. Exactly. Finally Podolski has been replaced. I was awaiting this for month. Klose for Gomez was expected any way because he adds so much more than goals to the team. The only surprise is Müller being out. However if Germany loose this game Löw will be the guilty one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candre168 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 HAHAHA GREEKS HAVE NO MONEY THEY ARE LAZY HAIRY SMELLY DIRTY NON-EUROPEANS LOLZ LOLZ LOLZ. Now we've got casual xenophobia out of the way, I think we don't have much of a chance but if we can at least make it close I'll be happy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leppard Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 That was... random. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
football_master_94 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Fantastic lineup, that. Shame Müller got dropped, but Poldi had it coming. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candre168 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 That was... random. It's what everyone has been implying for the last 36 months. I wish they'd just be more blunt. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 To be fair, this is a great move by Jogi, these lads are eager to go and prove themselves in the national team and both wide men are also pretty young. Now Klose has been rested nicely he is able to begin a game and show Gomez exactly what his game is missing, yes Gomez has scored the goals but he was non-existant in the Denmark game and was also in the Portugal game the same. Should be a cracker either way, hope the two lads show their worth! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukey Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Hope Götze gets some game time today. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaitsev Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 I'm off to kill myself with this level of British punditry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerokus Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Chiles thinks changing your team is 'arrogance'? Le sigh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
samba23 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Shurrle and Reus Germany finally starting with their best wingers Can see this being more one sided than the Spain v Ireland game Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_oc16 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Interesting changes for Germany. Big to change the front 3 when you've won the 3 group games, but can see why he's done it, looks bad for Loew if it doesn't work out though but also bad if he doesn't change and they struggle. Like Schurrle and Reus though, similar to Mata in that they're unfortunate to play for a nation with so much talent in their positions. Fancy we might see Podolski, Mueller or Gomez make an impact off the bench. Wonder how long Greece can hold out for. Would expect Germany to score at some point, just a matter if Greece can hold out long enough to frustrate Germany and capitalise to nick a goal or they concede early and are left chasing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bababui Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Now who wouldnt want to see another Germany v England battle? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukey Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Me. Don't fancy us being humiliated again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bababui Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Me. Don't fancy us being humiliated again. Its one match. Anything can happen. cough Wigan v Man U cough Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Man11 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Now who wouldnt want to see another Germany v England battle? Greeks and Italians for a start? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bababui Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Greeks and Italians for a start? The bankrupt and the cheaters Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukey Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Its one match. Anything can happen. cough Wigan v Man U cough True, I just won't be confident at all Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
football_master_94 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Goal, imo. Looked on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fvg Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Greeks tome wasting already? That's impressive lol Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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