boots Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Here. We. Go. For the right to play Spain in the final on Sunday. Venue: National Stadium, Warsaw Date: Thursday, 28 June Kick-off: 19:45 BST BBC Preview Two themes have dominated the build-up to the second Euro 2012 semi-final - fear and revenge. Disadvantaged by two days fewer rest, not to mention playing extra-time, Italy have drawn strength from their remarkable record against the Germans, who have failed to beat the Azzurri in all seven previous encounters at major tournaments. Man-of-the-moment Andrea Pirlo says: "They are afraid of us - we are at the level of Spain". Pirlo and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon are the only survivors from the Italian side that started the last competitive clash, which the Azzurri won 2-0 to reach the 2006 World Cup final. Veteran Germany striker Miroslav Klose concedes the defeat in Dortmund was a "trauma" while captain Philipp Lahm admits "of course we still have that [match] in our minds". But coach Joachim Loew, who was assistant to Jurgen Klinsmann at the time, refuses to dwell on the past: "In football there is no such thing as revenge. The past plays absolutely no role for us or for our young players who may know things only from history." If any squad should not feel burdened by previous failures it is this one - the youngest Germany have ever selected for a European Championship. Those young legs should ensure Loew's side do not run out of gas quite as dramatically as Italy's quarter-final victims England. But to avoid getting the run-around from the Azzurri, Germany will have to succeed where the Three Lions failed - and devise a plan to stop Pirlo. The 33-year-old playmaker completed 117 passes on Sunday, more than the combined tally of England's four starting midfielders. Italy may be unbeaten in competitive games under Cesare Prandelli, but the Germans have won their last 15 meaningful matches. The Azzurri have not fallen behind at Euro 2012, but the last time Germany trailed in a European Championship match (including qualifying) was the final four years ago. Germany have the form, yet Italy the history - something has to give. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
football_master_94 Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Super Miro must start tonight Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubos Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Hopefully less of a borefest than the other semi final. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razzler Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Italy and Germany have had some crackers down the years in tournaments and Germans yet to beat them (?) 0-0 and pens ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranquelme Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 I hope Italy win, always liked the Italians. But I think Germany will get a 1-0 win. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gizmo7 Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Italy will win on penalties Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricky Button Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Want to see a Germany win, purely because I don't want Spain to win the Euros and I don't think Italy can beat Spain. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonno-Blood Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 I think Germany match up really well considering how poor the Italian defence looked against us, we just didn't have the ability/intelligence to exploit that weakness. Going for something like 3-1 Germany here and praying Gomez gets the start for fantasy reasons. Oh and I have money on Germany winning the whole thing so they'd better bloody win Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leppard Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Klose, Reus, and Schürrle have to start ahead of Gomez, Müller, and Podolski. Germany looked so much more threatening with the former trio playing, though I'm not sure how much of that was down to Greece's incompetence. Löw has plenty of options, anyway. 3-1 to Germany. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DandyDon Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 I think Germany will win this. However I have a feeling Spain will win the final, regardless who they play. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
football_master_94 Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Klose, Reus, and Schürrle have to start ahead of Gomez, Müller, and Podolski. Germany looked so much more threatening with the former trio playing, though I'm not sure how much of that was down to Greece's incompetence. Löw has plenty of options, anyway. 3-1 to Germany. I'd take Müller over Schürrle tbh but I think Reus and Klose need to start. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Italy to win here. Will beat Spain in the final too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skybluedave Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Come on Italy! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudge7 Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Germany to win here, and then lose to Spain in the final again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Germany have the form, yet Italy the history - something has to give. Says it all. I'm optimistic, however. The curse will end today. Auf geht's Deutschland schießt ein Tor!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vynal Seven Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Vorsprung durch technik! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigcwwe Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 I said before the tournament started that i think Germany will win the Euros and not seen anything to change my mind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Gonzo Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 I'd take Müller over Schürrle tbh but I think Reus and Klose need to start. Agreed but apparently Podolski will start. Müller/Reus and Gomez/Klose are the question marks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheps. Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 I'd have Gomez, Reus and Muller to start. I'm going to be bold and say Germany to win 3-0 here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
teodoro Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 If Cassano and Pirlo will play the best and wil assist Balo decently, Italy's victory is very likely Especially if Italy scores the first goal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigcwwe Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 If Cassano and Pirlo will play the best and wil assist Balo decently, Italy's victory is very likely Especially if Italy scores the first goal :confused: What? How can a Italian victory be very likely against a very strong German team who have won their last 15 competitive games? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zvonimir Boban Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Their hair is lovelier and you can't quantify the psychological effect that has on the opposition. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
football_master_94 Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Agreed but apparently Podolski will start. Müller/Reus and Gomez/Klose are the question marks.Poldi's been anonymous so far so he's bound to have a good game tonight and start playing in this Euros. I think Jogi will use Poldi, Klose and Müller with Reus and Schürrle to feature at some point.Is Schweinsteiger fit for tonight? I remember reading there were question marks over his fitness a couple of days back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Gonzo Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Schweinsteiger has had problems with his ankle since February. He played all matches since then with these problems and Löw will definitely field him. There is no problem with his stamina, tho. I would love to see Podolski dropped again but there is a special bound between Jogi and Poldi. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigcwwe Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Wish they would release the line ups, waiting to see who is up front so i can put a bet on Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebs Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Like the way Germany play...but love the Italian - gotta go Italy overall...but wouldn't be annoyed if Germany got through. Just hope whoever wins this tonight goes on and does Spain in the final. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Poor Italy. Fewer days for rest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukey Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Italy: Buffon; Balzaretti, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Marchisio, Pirlo, De Rossi; Montolivo; Cassano, Balotelli. Germany: Neuer; Boateng, Hummels, Badstuber, Lahm; Khedira, Schweinsteiger; Kroos, Ozil, Podolski; Gomez. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
football_master_94 Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Jogi bottled it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leppard Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 The ****? Kroos? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
football_master_94 Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Vialli Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew_ Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 No Hansen or Dixon and I'm missing the build up. Shearer's still there, but it's a start. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vynal Seven Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Oh god not Keown again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigcwwe Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Jake Humprey: "Nice to see you have found your passports" To the BBC studio Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vynal Seven Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 "Postmen don't celebrate when they deliver letters" Mario Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasma Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 so now alan shearer is praising balotelli? the other day he said he's done nothing in his career Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillsminnow Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 "Postmen don't celebrate when they deliver letters" Mario Balotelli so wise Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartwork Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 I need to know if Ozil is a grammatically correct alternative for Özil. To my understanding the alternative is Oezil (as Ozil changes the pronunciation) but that's from my limited knowledge of German grammar (I get unnecessarily irritated by foreign grammar if I think it's wrong). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DandyDon Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Is that Kroos selection a case of Germany worrying a little too much about nullifying Pirlo rather than playing their own game? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zvonimir Boban Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Vialli Choked at his "These two - and maybe you - would have scored lots of goals" to Gary. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
teodoro Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 :confused:What? How can a Italian victory be very likely against a very strong German team who have won their last 15 competitive games? None of us is Nostradamus, even you.... Let's wait and see Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romanista1994 Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Forza Azzurri! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klimowicz Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Genuinely don't mind who wins this, I just want to see a thriller. For once, in this godforsaken tournament. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zvonimir Boban Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Abate still injured Thanks Ashley Young for getting Maggio suspended Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klimowicz Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 so now alan shearer is praising balotelli? the other day he said he's done nothing in his careerI remember his face when Lineker said, "well, he won the league last month". Priceless. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skybluedave Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 2 pretty decent anthems there Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zvonimir Boban Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Genuinely don't mind who wins this, I just want to see a thriller. For once, in this godforsaken tournament. Mario is always entertaining. The commentators trying to convince everyone that he is about to flip out every time he makes a small mistake not so much. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 It kind of loses a bit of its meaning when you just get them to read it off a card. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Chiellini record recovery. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Balotelli didn't train. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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