confed cup thread

[elmubarak]

our 1st match is vs australian. this is the match that is important for me. as i like aussie as my 2nd team.

the line up according to kicker:

Deutschland
Aufstellung: Kahn - B. Schneider, A. Friedrich, Mertesacker, Hitzlsperger - Frings - Deisler, Schweinsteiger - Ballack - Kuranyi, Podolski - Trainer: Klinsmann

Reserve: Lehmann (Tor), Hildebrand (Tor), Hanke, Brdaric, Asamoah, F. Ernst, Engelhardt, Borowski, Schulz, Owomoyela, Huth, Hinkel

Australien
Aufstellung: Schwarzer - Neill, Popovic, Moore, Muscat - McKain - Chipperfield, Skoko, Emerton - Cahill - Viduka - Trainer: Farina

Reserve: Petkovic (Tor), Kalac (Tor), Zdrilic, Thompson, Aloisi, Wilkshire, Sterjovski, Elrich, Culina, Colosimo, Vidmar, Milicevic

The NT looks to be very attcking in nature as we have ballack, schweini n deisler in it. in fact, this is the most attacking team that i've seen for years.

u guys might not know that much about aussie but believe me they're a good team. althou they're dont consist of popular players, they work very hard as a team, just like aussies in other sports do. (remember, aust got up so high in the olympics, even better than germany do)

players to watch is emerton n cahill n their solid defence. as kewell is not there, emerton will be providing the skills to aussie atttack. he's quite skilfull, viduka is a good striker. so, watch out!!

cahill has had a good few seasons in england. he's prob i'd like to likened up (thou lesser in quality) with ballack. he ussually runs fr deep n scores some important goals for the team. the defence is also mean n quite rough stimes. it's very tough nut to crack. also, watch out for ahmad elrich if he ever get playin time. he's one skilfull bloke.

my prediction:
as long as germany can play anywhere up to their standard n be passionate (as aussie is a very3 spirited team) they should win. early 2 goals will kill off the aussies.
Deutschland - Australia
2 0

[Guday]

2-1 to Australia.

Hitzpelberger is no defender - based on the Russia game, he look like fish out of water, his crosses were always sky-high, his position is always way off. Any decent forwards will rip apart German defence at will. The central defence have no understanding among themselves.

Deisler is off form, and Schneider is lacking fitness-always look exhausted after only 10m sprint. Ballack is Ballack, always annoying to see him stopping for no reason in his stride, thus giving opponent defenders time to catch up.

The only on-form guys are Schweni and Podolski. But Frings looks ok too, hopefully he got inspired after being dumped by Bayern. He has to prove that his best position is the holding midfielder as he claimed. We'll see...

[Zimmer86]

yep aussie will go all out. if viduka plays with Cahill up front german defence will have alot of troubel. although in saying that it is like elmubarak82 said one of the most attacking sides that germany have put out over the last year or so. Germanys midfeild will cause alot of troubel for the aussies.

Prediction is: Australia will score first and get an early lead. Germany will wake up and score 3 goals.
3-1 to germany.

[swissknife]

our 1st match is vs australian. this is the match that is important for me. as i like aussie as my 2nd team.

the line up according to kicker:

Deutschland
Aufstellung: Kahn - B. Schneider, A. Friedrich, Mertesacker, Hitzlsperger - Frings - Deisler, Schweinsteiger - Ballack - Kuranyi, Podolski - Trainer: Klinsmann

Reserve: Lehmann (Tor), Hildebrand (Tor), Hanke, Brdaric, Asamoah, F. Ernst, Engelhardt, Borowski, Schulz, Owomoyela, Huth, Hinkel

oh dear :ninja

loving the Bayern midfield thou :cool well except for Frings :Knob

[Faram|R]

Schneider as a right back??

[Ballack13]

I like the lineup except for the sidebacks. Especially Hitz, at least put Hinkel there. Didnt he play there against France in a friendly a while back. I remember him doing very well. Scheider is a skillful player but getting up there. Still better than Huth playing.

[Faram|R]

Scweinsteiger will be the player of the tournament. He is just getting better and better.Hopefully Germany will meet Brazil in the final and beat them on penalty shoot-out.

[elmubarak]

here's a new story fr an aussie website:

[/QUOTE]
Farina gambles on Ljubo
Exclusive by Neil Evans
June 14, 2005

THE Socceroos will hand rookie man-marker Ljubo Milicevic the biggest job of his brief international career in the Confederations Cup opener against Germany on Thursday (AEST) - mark German goal-scoring powerhouse Michael Ballack out of the game.

Head coach Frank Farina will also leave No.1 striker Mark Viduka on the bench, refusing to gamble with his suspect hamstring.

Instead, in-form Spanish-based striker John Aloisi will take over from Mile Sterjovski in the central striking role, while Milicevic takes over the holding midfield role from Jon McKain.

They are the only two changes to the side that struggled to a 1-0 win over New Zealand in London last week.

Australia will again go with a 4-3-3 system that can easily convert to a 4-5-1 formation under pressure.

Farina and assistant coach Graham Arnold will plump for Milicevic, hoping his physical strength and power in the air will blunt Ballack's all-round attacking game.

The 24-year-old former Olyroos captain, who plays his club football for FC Thun in Switzerland, is still re-establishing himself in the international frame after a long injury lay-off last year.

Milicevic will play just in front of regular central pairing Craig Moore and Tony Popovic, acting as a protective buffer, but his mission will be to harass Ballack, the Germans' key playmaker, when the ball is deep in Australia's half.

The Socceroos are worried about Ballack's aerial strength and timing in and around the box, and are banking on Milicevic stopping the Bayern Munich midfielder.

Meanwhile, Viduka is still concerned his hamstring might not hold up under hard match conditions, and Farina would prefer he not have to call on him at all.
The injury-troubled Middlesbrough striker will sit on the bench alongside Archie Thompson.

Against a packed partisan German crowd, the Socceroos will direct much of their attack at the German fullbacks, particularly on the left, where they feel Thomas Hitzlsperger is vulnerable.

Injuries have forced the Germans to go with makeshift fullbacks, and former Aston Villa midfielder Hitzlsperger can expect a lot of Australia's attack to come down his side through Brett Emerton.[QUOTE]

seems like they'll target hitz n maybe schneider

[Guday]

[/QUOTE]

THE Socceroos will hand rookie man-marker Ljubo Milicevic the biggest job of his brief international career in the Confederations Cup opener against Germany on Thursday (AEST) - mark German goal-scoring powerhouse Michael Ballack out of the game.

[/QUOTE]



If I were the Kangaroos coach, no need to worry too much about Mickey Ballack - just as long as he is being marked inside the box, that's good enough. Just ask the Latvian, he is no Matthaus or Zidane.

But I would be wary of Schweni or an inform Deisler(hope he will do better than the Russia match).

A win by more than 2 goal to the Germans will be an absolute miracle.

[Gerry_BMG]

I think pulling Schneider back is the best solution. He already played it at Leverkusen and did most times very well. Like most people I think Hitzlesperger is the weak-point. It would be great if the midfield will play good together. This could a very strong WC06 formation if they get their act together. Would be nice if Kuranyi and Podolski would harmonize.

[Excelsior]

What I'm wondering is: are you Germans actually interested in this? I think this is an utterly useless tournament and it should be scrapped!

[Gerry_BMG]

Yeah, it is hyped up in Germany because those games seem to be the only games before 2006 with competition-character although this is doubtfull because I doubt every team will give everything. We for sure will give everything and that could be blinding if we win it and think we are the kings.

yeah, its useless. but good testing-games for us tho. after this confed cup this tournament can be deleted

[locoLopez]

christian schulz is back in bremen again. his injury won't give him a chance to play so he decided to return to bremen. i dunno who or if he even will replaced. his injury isn't serious - he has a bruise(?) on his leg with an bone-inflammation.

[Schwalker]

I expect germany to have a difficult start in the tournament...a draw perhaps?
But to pick up sped and eventually go out against Brazil or Argentina.

[Ballack13]

What I'm wondering is: are you Germans actually interested in this? I think this is an utterly useless tournament and it should be scrapped!

Hmm, maybe you are not interested because your team is not in it!

Yeah so its not the euro or world cup but its still involving a lot of strong teams. Most teams are bringing their best squads. So why not be interested in it?

[Excelsior]

Hmm, maybe you are not interested because your team is not in it!

Yeah so its not the euro or world cup but its still involving a lot of strong teams. Most teams are bringing their best squads. So why not be interested in it?
Well, it's not just that my team isn't in it. I'm mad about football and I'm following almost every competition, from our national amateur cup to the Bundesliga, from intertoto to world cup.

But there is a competition I don't care about at all: the Confederations Cup. It's just tyring players in one of the few periods they normally don't have a game. I don't think that's a good thing. Also, it's about nothing so I think it should be scrapped.

[Mertesacker]

Of course it's a stupid tournament and should be scrapped but now that it takes place and Germany is participating of course I'm interested.

I'm not going to watch today's game live thoug. I rather meet with friends. So that kinda shows how important it is for me. ;)

[Gerry_BMG]

woooow!!!!!!!!!!! mertesacker has a life besides football. I envy you! :laugh

[scorpion2a]

Any idea if there's a channel which would broadcast the tournament (live or postpoed)? Ineed to watch the German NT closely.

[phsychyzed]

Any idea if there's a channel which would broadcast the tournament (live or postpoed)? Ineed to watch the German NT closely.
ARD and ZDF and ART sports

[phsychyzed]

15 minutes to go and i would just like to say GOOOOOO Deutschland !!

its been a long time since ive seen germany lift something so i hope and pray and wish that we do this atleas to boost our chances for the WC !!

:clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap


GO DEUTSCHLAND

[TheNameOfTheG..]

ARD and ZDF and ART sports

****, I dont have this programs and Croatian RTL showed Arg-Tun game, there will no be Ger-Aus on it.
I will watch highlitis on Eurosport at 11 pm.

[bastian]

min 23 germany 2-1 aussies.... kuranyi and merte... good goal by merte :clap

[Zimmer86]

2-2. Hmm germanys defence not soo good.

[Ballack13]

I knew that ass Huth would cause problems. I swear sometimes I think he is retarted. His idiotic foul caused the first goal. Could have been a red card.

Defense is having problems on the right side suprisingly. Schneider and Friedrich are a bit careless going forward and leaving to much space. The Australians are dangerous on the counter. Frings and Ballack have been very quiet. I like Schnedier but he doesnt seem to have the speed to get past defenders anymore. I think Deisler should be injected second half. Mertesacker looks very good. I would move friedrich central for Huth and then put Hinkel at right back.

[Gerry_BMG]

oh dear. no agressiveness in our game. I hope Deisler will come on for "Grandpa" Schneider. The defensive midfield looks like there is none, and the Aussies can do what they want in midfield. Against Holland, Argentina or any other strong team we would have already lost this game at half-time.

Looks like the players are pissing their pants.

[Ballack13]

Defense is having problems on the right side suprisingly. Schneider and Friedrich are a bit careless going forward and leaving to much space. The Australians are dangerous on the counter. Frings and Ballack have been very quiet. I like Schnedier but he doesnt seem to have the speed to get past defenders anymore. I think Deisler should be injected second half. Mertesacker looks very good. I would move friedrich central for Huth and then put Hinkel at right back.

[NOONE]

Coool , go aussies :D
Great to see attacking football.......

The 2nd half started the same way as the first , a ball slid in in-front of the goal and nobody tapping it in for germany :D

[Zimmer86]

4-3 end score. Germany in the 2nd half were much better. In the first 10 minutes they played some really good football. As usual defence let Germany down. Podolski's goal was a classy goal. I just hope they can work out there defence problems before Argentina game otherwise it might end up 4-0 to argentina.

[Schwalker]

I was a bit surprised that Podolski scored...It was the only thing he did right, total waste of space for almost 90 minutes.

Kahn...Didn´t made one save during the whole game, NOT ONE! Get Hildebrand in there for Gods sake...or anyone else.

Kuranyi...At least he tried, and scored once.

Ballack..Not one of his better games but fairly ok.

Friedrich...Man of the match for me, someone had to go forward and he choosed to do it even if that meant exposing our defence.

Schneider...a bit to slow today.

Schweinsteiger...Just need to be a bit more cool, otherwise he would have been my man of the match.

Huth...Waste of space

Mertesacker...Okeyish, nice goal.

Hitzelsperger...Better than I feared, more used to playing British style teams no doubt.

Frings...Didn´t see much of him

[Ballack13]

Kahn- cant really be blamed for any of the goals. Got to hand it to Australias finishing, they had 3 chances and scored every one.

Mertesacker- Solid in defense which is not easy when paired with a fool like Huth. He is calm on the ball and passes well, not to mention he scored a nice goal!

Huth- Overated, should not be starting. Was guilty for first goal and made other obvious errors.

Friedrich- Man of the match. Great attacks down the wing though he did leave the defense open a few times. Hes much faster than I remember, damn.

Hitzlsperger- Decent in defense but didnt get forward much at all. He improved from past games though. Damn we miss Lahm and Pander though.

Frings- Very quiet, he is out of form. Had a nice long shot but wasnt winning enough balls in the midfield.

Ballack- Also a bit quiet, better in the second half.

Schweini- He seemed to be double teamed a lot but still looked dangerous. Would be even more lethal on the right side.

Schneider- He has great technique and ball skills but he is to slow to play on the flank it seems these days. Side player must be able to get past players and he cant anymore.

Podolski- Didnt do much for a lot of the match but had some moments of brillance. Problem is he got no service.

Kuranyi- Did nothing aside from goal. Out of form.

Deisler must replace Schneider next game. Also Huth has to go but who the hell is gonna replace him? Can owoyomela play centerback? Friedrich proved to valuable on the flank. Hinkel should replace Hitz. Maybe Borowski for Frings.

[phsychyzed]

one thing to say WTF WAS THAT DEFENCE !! no one to blame !! and kahn isnt to blame for any goal !! no defence watsoever !! i cant believe this defense !! sooo many ******* mistakes !!


one more thing i agree with all ballack 13 's post match comments

[TheNameOfTheG..]

I just saw the eurosports 40 minutes replay.
When Australia scores 3 goals it is obvious something is wrong :ninja
Before few years I alway thinked that good striker is German problem but now I see that defence is even bigger problem. It is horible. It was so easy to reach German penalty box. Did Germany played against World stars?
If Huth will not learn something next seasone in Chelski then it is a bad thing... Honestly, I think he has lack of "football brain". Oponent player is with ball on the edge of penalty box and he is marking him from 5 meters distance!!! Then he remebers that he should do different and starts to run forward to aussi player with the ball. Per M. is not much better. Maybe it is because they are young but tournament is in this moment and second one is for one year, not for 5 or 6 years.
I find that Kurany and Podolski are (or will be) the best double since Klinsman and Voller... but Schweini is the best German player and will be world class player, alredy is (he is dangerous in every position) :clap . Friedrich had a good game, his attacking ability and speed is quite good. Ballack under-stated, altough he asists well for 4th goal (and he is a very good penalty taker :USA_Blue ).
Overall, my opinion is that Germany knows how to score but defence is :ninja

BTW nice play by aussi croat and former Hajduk Split player Josip Skoko (goal and 2 asists).

[elmubarak]

you've guys says it all really. defence is CRAP but attack is not bad. now i fear our meeting with argentina next week. we could seriously get walloped.
pls klinsi, call back ramelow, worns or metzelder. we need experience!!!

now, here's what the media in aussie said..


Angry Socceroos blast ref
From correspondents in Frankfurt
June 16, 2005

Germany 4 Australia 3
SOCCEROO manager Frank Farina and skipper Craig Moore vented their frustrations at Paraguayan referee Carlos Amarilla after the Confederations Cup Group A defeat this morning (AEST).

Australia twice came from behind to level at 2-2 through Josip Skoko (21) and John Aloisi (31), but a controversial 60th minute penalty allowed Michael Ballack to put Germany back in front and this time it held on to win 4-3.

"It was a soft penalty you could see Ljubo (Milicevic) already had his hands up," said Moore.

Arne Friedrich collapsed under a challenge from Milicevic convincing Amarilla to point to the spot.

"The referee made some strange decisions but we have ourselves to blame as we conceded four stupid goals," said Moore

The spot-kick was not the only sore spot for Moore who could not fathom why Robert Huth was not red-carded for a robust 2oth minute challenge.

Chelsea defender Huth used his giant frame to floor the speedy Aloisi and received a yellow card, but Moore believes it should have been red.

"(Robert) Huth should have been sent off as he is the last man," said Moore.

"The rules are there for a reason and need to be to enforced. John (Aloisi) was going through before he was stopped."

Farina was left shaking his head at his side's defending but also had a bone to pick with the referee.
"The referee had a night to forget," he said.

"But when you score three goals you should be winning the game. To finish empty-handed is disappointing and now we need to win the next two games.

On Saturday, Australia faces Argentina, which earlier defeated Tunisia 2-1, hoping to bounce back and have a shot at netting one of the top two spots to reach the semi-finals.

German boss Jurgen Klinsmann said: "We just have to be happy to start with a win and have to improve as the competition goes on."

The Socceroos were behind after just 17 minutes when German striker Kevin Kuranyi took advantage of slack marking.

They equalised four minutes later when midfielder Josip Skoko snuck a free-kick under the defensive wall, before Germany scored again two minutes later as Australia's defence was caught napping and Per Mertesacher found himself unmarked to hammer home.

Then Aloisi struck in the 31st minute to again tie things up, latching on to a brilliant Skoko through ball and slotting a left-foot shot from a narrow angle.

While Australia more than matched Germany in the first- half, the home side poured on the pressure in the opening 15 minutes of the second, with goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer forced into three great saves.

Then the pressure told as first Ballack, then Podolski struck to ensure the home team a first-up success.

[Zimmer86]

hey what changes to the team do u guys think Klinsmann will make in defence. i would love to see Hitzelsperger in Midfield.

[Ballack13]

Problem with defense is that Friedrich was attacking almost the whole game, that left a defense of basically mertesacker, huth and Hitzl. Hitzlsperger is not a defender! Huth is but a crappy one lol. That left basically Mertesacker as the only good defender. On top of that Frings was not doing his job in defensive midfield.

Anyone else think the defensive midfield is a major problem these days for Germany? There needs to be a natural all winner like Jeremies. Frings is more an attacking or central midfielder. Same with Borowski. Ernst is more defensive but not shown anything at international level.

I hope Klinsmann plays Hinkel instead of Hitzlsperger next game. Or even putting Frings there would work.

[Ballack13]

hey what changes to the team do u guys think Klinsmann will make in defence. i would love to see Hitzelsperger in Midfield.

Hitz is not good enough to get a place in midfield. Who would he replace? Schweini, Ballack, Deisler,?????

As for defensive changes, Klinsmann should have called up extra centerback cuz now he is forced to play Huth.

[Guday]

hey what changes to the team do u guys think Klinsmann will make in defence. i would love to see Hitzelsperger in Midfield.

Hinkel Friedrich Mertesacker Frings

Borowski
Deisler Ballack Schweni

Podolski Kuranyi


It is obvious that Frings cannot be a holding DM as he wishes because his workrate is very low and lack of initiative. That's why Hagreaves and Micho had him for lunch at Bayern, and after one season rightly dumped by Hoeness. But he could play on a more specialised role like a winger or even a man-marker. And he did play on the left flank midfield against Dutch in the last Euro. He is good, no doubt, but like most player he just prefers a more glamorous role, that unfortunately does not suite his style.

That Huth guy is a joke , lucky he turned down Bayern offer.

However, if all stay the same - then against Argentina it will a 5-1 demolition similar to the infamous encounter against England, or times that by 2 - you get Bremen style national embarrassment 10-2. :laugh :laugh

[phsychyzed]

However, if all stay the same - then against Argentina it will a 5-1 demolition similar to the infamous encounter against England, or times that by 2 - you get Bremen style national embarrassment 10-2. :laugh :laugh

I just wanna understand how u cheer for a team when u criticise and never say anyyyyyything anyyyyyything whatsoever good about it ??

when was the last time anyone hear guday say bayern played good or germany played good?

man ur too boring u know !! :woot :woot :woot

[Guday]

I just wanna understand how u cheer for a team when u criticise and never say anyyyyyything anyyyyyything whatsoever good about it ??

when was the last time anyone hear guday say bayern played good or germany played good?

man ur too boring u know !! :woot :woot :woot

Good ole buddie mr.psycho... you need to play good cop and bad cop thing...and if you keep praising yr players in spite of playing crap football..they all be puffed up believing they are good, no more motivation to improve.

Well I did post praising comment whenever Bayern/Germany played good...yr accusation is not true..btw, cheer up old buddie :cool

[Faram|R]

What a game!! At one point I thought it gonna be 4-4!!Huth is..........damn it :ninja ..he looks very careless at the back.The first goal is his fault...Hitz is not a defender!!! But I'm happy Klinsmann put Friedrich as a right back. I always think he is a natural right back and looks like i'm right! Bring back Metzelder and get rid of the Chelsea boys and Lahm return...we will have a solid back four - Friedrich-Mertesacker-Metzelder-Lahm :clap :clap Ballack is doing fine, Frings should give way to Borowski..Schneider is good but quite slow,Schweinsteiger?Well this is the first game and I think he will show us more in the next match..Podolski is good( that goal is really awesome!!) Kuranyi scored 1 goal so I think we must thank him for the goal...and lastly Kahn is not the man to blame..he try his best to save all the goals...still better than Lehmann anyway...

[Gerry_BMG]

Friedrich did ok, but man of the match? No german deserved that except maybe Mertesacker. Friedrich was bad first half, and also has to be claimed responsible for the 4th goal where he slept in an awesome way.

And concerning Huth, he is doing to many errors and thus needs to be replaced the next games but by whom, if not by Friedrich?

[phsychyzed]

, cheer up old buddie :cool

Dont worry am always cheered up :D:D:D

ask gerry ;)

[The Southern Dandy]

Friedrich did ok, but man of the match? No german deserved that except maybe Mertesacker. Friedrich was bad first half, and also has to be claimed responsible for the 4th goal where he slept in an awesome way.

And concerning Huth, he is doing to many errors and thus needs to be replaced the next games but by whom, if not by Friedrich?


Last time I checked, the Aussies only scored 3 goals.

[Coldplay]

Can Borowski play as a defender as well? If not, 3-5-2 may not be a good tactics against Tunisia....the three CB will be A.Friedrich-Mertesacker-Borowski.and that will be better

Did Klinsi forget about Fahrenhorst? He is bad but not any worse than Huth anyway

[locoLopez]

no borowski can not - fahrenhorst isn't even nominated for the confedCup. but it's ok cuz he had a bad season with many injuries so won't be much better than bloody huth

[Ballack13]

Probably the only solution to the defense is to move Friedrich to the center. Sucks because he was damn effective attacking from the rightback position. Now he is going to have to stay totally in defense. What choice though do we have? Play that ass of a defender Huth?

Frings---Mertesacker--Friedrich---Hinkel

[The Southern Dandy]

Probably the only solution to the defense is to move Friedrich to the center. Sucks because he was damn effective attacking from the rightback position. Now he is going to have to stay totally in defense. What choice though do we have? Play that ass of a defender Huth?

Frings---Mertesacker--Friedrich---Hinkel

Why would you play a right-footed defender/normal right back on the left side of the center of defense? Swap him and Mertesacker and it work a lot better.

[Ballack13]

Why would you play a right-footed defender/normal right back on the left side of the center of defense? Swap him and Mertesacker and it work a lot better.

My point was basically that Friedrich should move central. Left or right doesnt make a huge difference. Mertesacker is right footed as well isnt he? Besides its not like centerbacks make many runs forward.

[Brazzo]

Lets pray for metzelder to get back to the form of 2002, then all the defence problems will be solved

[Shad]

Lets pray for metzelder to get back to the form of 2002, then all the defence problems will be solved

Yes, Lahm--Mertesacker--Metzelder--Friedrich would definitely be more than capable, but do you think Metzelder will be ready? He's only got about one year to go...

[elmubarak]

why not. he's already played almost one season

[locoLopez]

oh yeah and then please kick this clumsy clown huth out of this team.

[bastian]

merte-metze would be a great pàir in the center of the defence , of course i meant a in form-metze.....

I also have to say that im quite impress with mertesacker, he's so calm and a very good defender already, and IMO he's the best center back-talent in germany and one of the best in europe right now.... :clap

[Gerry_BMG]

merte-metze would be a great pàir in the center of the defence , of course i meant a in form-metze.....

I also have to say that im quite impress with mertesacker, he's so calm and a very good defender already, and IMO he's the best center back-talent in germany and one of the best in europe right now.... :clap
but for becoming a star he needs a new haircut... :cool

[TheNameOfTheG..]

I also have to say that im quite impress with mertesacker, he's so calm and a very good defender already, and IMO he's the best center back-talent in germany and one of the best in europe right now.... :clap

I am not so impressed with him.

[bastian]

I am not so impressed with him.

Well has been great almost all season long ..... u cant judge him for the last game ...u know he was almost alone in defence considering huth was quite bad.

[TheNameOfTheG..]

Well has been great almost all season long ..... u cant judge him for the last game ...u know he was almost alone in defence considering huth was quite bad.

Maybe you are right, I didnt watched him trough the season, in fact this was the first time. I will give him few more creditis in my judgment :)

[elmubarak]

DFB- tunisia lineup in kicker:

Tunesien
Aufstellung: 1 Boumnijel - 6 Trabelsi, 4 Abdi, 15 Jaidi, 20 Clayton - 12 Mnari, 14 Chedli - 8 Nafti, 18 Benachour - 5 Jaziri, 11 Santos - Trainer: Lemerre

Reserve: 16 Fadhel (Tor), 22 Kasraoui (Tor), 2 Saidi, 3 Essediri, 7 Mhadhebi, 9 Guemamdia, 10 Ghodhbane, 13 Namouchi, 17 Ben Saada, 19 Ayari, 21 Jomaa, 23 Haj Massaoud


Deutschland
Aufstellung: 12 Lehmann - 3 A. Friedrich, 17 Mertesacker, 4 Huth, 16 Hitzlsperger - 19 B. Schneider, 8 Frings, 7 Schweinsteiger - 13 Ballack - 22 Kuranyi, 20 Podolski - Trainer: Klinsmann

Reserve: 1 Kahn (Tor), 23 Hildebrand (Tor), 2 Hinkel, 5 Owomoyela, 6 Engelhardt, 9 Hanke, 10 Deisler, 11 Brdaric, 14 Asamoah, 15 F. Ernst, 18 Borowski

[Guday]

DFB- tunisia lineup in kicker:

Tunesien
Aufstellung: 1 Boumnijel - 6 Trabelsi, 4 Abdi, 15 Jaidi, 20 Clayton - 12 Mnari, 14 Chedli - 8 Nafti, 18 Benachour - 5 Jaziri, 11 Santos - Trainer: Lemerre

Reserve: 16 Fadhel (Tor), 22 Kasraoui (Tor), 2 Saidi, 3 Essediri, 7 Mhadhebi, 9 Guemamdia, 10 Ghodhbane, 13 Namouchi, 17 Ben Saada, 19 Ayari, 21 Jomaa, 23 Haj Massaoud


Deutschland
Aufstellung: 12 Lehmann - 3 A. Friedrich, 17 Mertesacker, 4 Huth, 16 Hitzlsperger - 19 B. Schneider, 8 Frings, 7 Schweinsteiger - 13 Ballack - 22 Kuranyi, 20 Podolski - Trainer: Klinsmann

Reserve: 1 Kahn (Tor), 23 Hildebrand (Tor), 2 Hinkel, 5 Owomoyela, 6 Engelhardt, 9 Hanke, 10 Deisler, 11 Brdaric, 14 Asamoah, 15 F. Ernst, 18 Borowski


2-2 draw or 2-1 win for Tunisia, if Klinsi and Yoggie Loew stick to the previous formation, esp with Frings as his DM workhorse and no change to the backline , something is not right.

These 2 coaches just excel in silliness, at least Voller previously had a good tactician as his assistant. No wonder football made in Germany these days are synonymous with infamous losses such Bremen styles CL fiasco, or 1-5 scoreline defeat.

And replacing Kahn for the sake of appeasing a singing cowboy monkey is insane.
:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[The Southern Dandy]

2-2 draw or 2-1 win for Tunisia, if Klinsi and Yoggie Loew stick to the previous formation, esp with Frings as his DM workhorse and no change to the backline , something is not right.

These 2 coaches just excel in silliness, at least Voller previously had a good tactician as his assistant. No wonder football made in Germany these days are synonymous with infamous losses such Bremen styles CL fiasco, or 1-5 scoreline defeat.

And replacing Kahn for the sake of appeasing a singing cowboy monkey is insane.
:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

When the hell did Hitzlsperger became a LB? Jesus, we have some inept coaches.

[Timonator]

We don't have another option for LB! Lahm and Schulz are injured and Hitz is the only one who already played this position.

Or could someone else play as LB?

[The Southern Dandy]

We don't have another option for LB! Lahm and Schulz are injured and Hitz is the only one who already played this position.

Or could someone else play as LB?


There's probably more than one German LB in the Bundesliga.

[bastian]

There's probably more than one German LB in the Bundesliga.

Pander lahm and schulz r injured.... the only one i can think right now is jansen.

[bastian]

This will be the starting elf:

lehmann-friedrich,huth,merte,hitz-deisler,frings,ballack,da pig-asamoah,poldi.

[Theo]

If Asamoah is a pig, then he would be the fastest pig in the world :bowing

[The Southern Dandy]

Pander lahm and schulz r injured.... the only one i can think right now is jansen.


Fathi, but I think he's playing in the Military World Cup right now. He's in the middle of his civil service call-up.

[Theo]

I also have to say that im quite impress with mertesacker, he's so calm and a very good defender already, and IMO he's the best center back-talent in germany and one of the best in europe right now
What club is he playing at?

[Ballack13]

First half 0-0...

Hitz is startign to really annoy me at the leftback position. You can see the EPL has rubbed off on him lol, his passes are often sloppy and long when he has players open closer. I hate this style. I want the ball played on the ground like the rest of team is trying to do(except the other epl fool, Huth). For the love of god Klinsmann, put Hinkel at leftback!!!! Who cares if he isnt left footed, Lahm is right footed to ya know and he is brilliant.

[Guday]

Halftime 0:0 .

Germany have more chances but the backline look shaky again, Tunisian as expected are quite skillful and have plenty of possession. Huth has trouble marking their small nimble striker. I do not know what Frings did, he certainly did cover much, such that Ballack has to go deep often. Hitzpelberger passes and crosses always went straight to the Tunisian.

Asamoah and Friedrich could have scored.

Ernst should play DM and move Frings to the LB.

[Guday]

Well a win is nice but 3-0 is too flattering, Schweni-Podolski goal was a good one. But why ask Schneider to play LB or LW, and he looks uncomfortable too to say the least. What was Klinsi thinking, if he was thinking at all, while making the sub.

The best is hoping for a draw versus the Argies, and hope that Argentina will not win with bigger margin in the latter match, and therefore avoid Brazil in the semi. Definitely no Hitz for the next match.

[Theo]

Mertesacker & Huth were extremely good today

[scorpion2a]

Our performance today was a big mystery. Not a very well 1st half with a very incompetent attacking force and a very clumsy defending formation. And then in the dying 15minutes of the match every thing turned upside down. Huth is sooo naive. I agree he's very strong and becoming very very fast. Also to add in his favour is that Huth has a high fitness score. He joined the attack during the last 10 mins of the match and U can see him sprinting backwards (thats when everybody else were so tired). But he's got not skill. As I and Ballack13 here mentioned before.. he charges very violently and makes silly mistakes. He'll get a card or give the opponents a penalty. Anyway, I'll post my detailed comments in another thread because I have too many!!! LOL
Good win for the Germans. We gained confidence. And we gained a new striker I always called for.. Hanke!

[TheNameOfTheG..]

Did Huth heard me from the last time because he was the best German player :woot I know what is wrong, youth!!! One game good one game bad, that is how thing are going with mopst of the young players. Like schweini, last game v good, this one bad.
Ballack also v good, If he can produce same play always that would be a big thing for German team (once again I will mention how sure penalty taker is he :USA_Blue) :USA_Blue
Think that Borowski desrved a chance instedad of Frings.
Podolski :drinkbeer

[elmubarak]

her's my 2 cents:

lehmann: done well
a.friedrich: should stay at RB
merte-huth: played well enuff. thou they had prob with the skilful tunisian thou
hitz: surely last game for him?
frings: dun do enuff again. has to be left out so he could regain his touch again on the bench.
s.diesler: not too bad. but he's not as good as wat i thought him to be. quite reckless in the 1st half IMO
ballack: during the revival he is da man. but invisible pretty much most of the time
schweini: same as balllack
asamoah: got some good chances but couldnt score. he might need a bout 997 chances to score one LOL
podolski: personally i think he's the best in this game. IMO he's already better than ALL our striker now, n that includes Klose

subs:
schneider: what was klinsi thinking????????
kuranyi: invisible, but better than asamoah
hanke: should be 3rd in the pecking order now instead of asamoah

[Coldplay]

We may just have to call up a replacement for Schulz. Hitz or Schneider as a left back is definitely not the solution of the problem. Jansen or Klingbeil(HSV) or even Fathi can be options. But apparently, Marcell Jansen may be the best out of all.

No idea why Brdaric is in the team. 30 years of age( the oldest striker in our squad) and not even the 4th striker in Klinsi's mind. I would see a better NT if youngsters like Kucukovic or Hunt is called. Then we may have another secret weapon, player like Hunt can improve our creativity up front. In my opinion, he is more dangerous than Asamoah, or even Hanke.

Timo deserves more chance.. so is Borowski and Engelhardt(a very underrated player in Bundesliga). Please Klinsi, give us some surprise and not being so predictable

[SAINTBASTI]

Mainz05 "Weigelt can be a good choice

[scorpion2a]

2-2 draw or 2-1 win for Tunisia,
These 2 coaches just excel in silliness, at least Voller previously had a good tactician as his assistant. No wonder football made in Germany these days are synonymous with infamous losses such Bremen styles CL fiasco, or 1-5 scoreline defeat.
And replacing Kahn for the sake of appeasing a singing cowboy monkey is insane.
:rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Dude, U have some negative remarks.. why did U say that. I agree with U concerning the Frings DM position. But rotating between Lehmann & Kahn is OK cuz is motivates both. Also Klinsmann isn't that bad as a tactician. His substitutions proved to be excellent and reflected his awareness. I think Klinsmann just needs some experience (as do his players). Klinsmann plays attacking football that Germany hadn't practiced since the Beckenbauer ages. I believe he's building a strong future team.

[scorpion2a]

Hitz. You can see the EPL has rubbed off on him lol, his passes are often sloppy and long when he has players open closer. I hate this style. I want the ball played on the ground like the rest of team is trying to do(except the other epl fool, Huth). U think just like me Ballck13. U sure do.
But I don't think Hinkel could play on the left side. Next game Friedrich is suspended (for 2 yellow cards). Hinkel will take over the role of RB. Hitz should stay as LB as there's no other. Besides he has a hell of a left foot that can shoot canons. He just needs to give up the "Kick and run" approach, which even the english dumped.

[Timonator]

Just watched the press conference and Timo Hildebrand will play against Argentina :D
That's a surprise, now he can prove how good he is.

[bastian]

Just watched the press conference and Timo Hildebrand will play against Argentina :D
That's a surprise, now he can prove how good he is.


Nice to hear that hopefully he'll do good....come on timo :clap

[bastian]

Ballack happy with win



Germany skipper Michael Ballack hailed his team for their impressive work-rate in the hard-fought 3-0 win over Tunisia which saw the hosts booking their place in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup.

Jurgen Klinsmann’s team had been criticised for their sloppy defending in the first Group A game, a 4-3 win over Australia, but Ballack insisted that they had learned their lesson.

“We gave the right answer to the criticism following the game against Australia," explained the Bayern Munich midfielder, who broke the deadlock by converting a penalty on 74 minutes.

"It was very hot outside and the Tunisians were very disciplined and so it was difficult to keep up the tempo but we never stopped trying and finally dominated and created a couple of chances in the second period."

Tunisia boss Roger Lemerre admitted that his spirited team had no reply to Ballack’s opener and could not prevent Bastian Schweinsteiger and late substitute Mike Hanke - with his debut goal for his country - clinically converting two late chances.

“For about 75 minutes we gave the Germans a tough time but after the penalty we struggled," said Lemerre.

"We had the chances to score ourselves but we failed and the difference between bigger football nations and smaller ones is that the big nations tend to need fewer chances to score goals."

Despite admitting that his team struggled to dominate the Tunisians for large parts of the match, Klinsmann insisted that his young team showed encouraging progress compared to their most recent performances.

“We knew that it would be a tight affair as Tunisia are the champions of Africa and their coach, Roger Lemerre, is a master in terms of finding a perfect tactical concept but we stayed patient, didn’t commit many mistakes today and finally forced ourselves to create some chances up front," outlined Klinsmann.

“The learning process continues and the team is growing into a closed unit."

With most criticism in the German media directed at Chelsea youngster Robert Huth, Klinsmann paid special tribute to the 20-year-old’s performance.

“I was pleased to see how the crowd reacted, they and the rest of the team did their best to support him and you can say that Huth pulled himself out of the trouble with his performance."

Germany will now challenge Argentina on Tuesday, with the winner claiming top spot in Group A.

[ACBerb]

Congrats to the boys on two first wins. :drinkbeer Sounds like all the angles have been covered here so I'll just say that it's funny to see the before and after posts of some on here. Some are a little too negative... hell, they won both games and didn't concede a goal in the second game with this young defence so I think we need to quite bitchin' so much. Hope for a real good game against Argentina, can anyone say "win against a big team" finally. :USA_Blue

[Ross420]

Nothing wrong with a slow but steady start.

Nice to see Timo get a deserved start vs the Argies :clap

[Timonator]

Hildebrand handed chance


by Chris Ives and Tom Adams - created on 20 Jun 2005

GermanyTimo Hildebrand will get a rare chance to stake his claim for a first team role for Germany in Tuesday's Confederations Cup clash with Argentina.

National boss Jurgen Klinsmann is a firm advocate of rotating current first choices Jens Lehmann and Oliver Kahn, but, with Germany having already qualified for the semi-finals, Hildebrand will now be handed his third cap against the South Americans.

The Stuttgart shot-stopper has been in impressive form this season as his side finished a respectable fifth in Die Bundesliga, and he has impressed Klinsmann with his aptitude in training in the build-up to Fifa's exhibition event.

Germany assistant coach Joachim Low expressed how the camp felt that Hildebrand had earned his opportunity to face one of the world's best sides.

"Timo has worked hard over the last three weeks and has really deserved a chance," said Low.

Hildebrand himself admitted to being surprised at being included in the starting XI, although it has already been announced that Lehmann will start the semi-final and Kahn either the final or third placed play-off.

"I didn't expect to play in this tournament at all, and that makes it all the more special," said Hildebrand.

"It's normal for a goalkeeper to have to wait. You always have to be patient."


:cool

[ACBerb]

Good news about Timo, I thought when I saw Jens in the second game that they might give Hilde a shot at Argentina! Hope he does well. :clap

[bastian]

It seems ernst will replace schweni and asamoah or hanke will raplace poldi for this game. schneider also will play instead deisler... dont understand that, we'll gonna have lack of creativity in our game ...... :ninja

[ACBerb]

My only guess is they're tring to rest a few players for the knockout stage, however I really want to see Germany finally beat a "BIG" team!

[bastian]

the probable midfield will be schneider,frings,ballack,ernst. IMO we wont beat argentina with that midfield.

[elmubarak]

so, the lineup could be:
kahn-hinkel, huth, merte, hitze - schneider, ballack, frings, ernst - hanke, kuranyi

[ACBerb]

so, the lineup could be:
hildebrand-hinkel, huth, merte, hitze - schneider, ballack, frings, ernst - hanke, kuranyi

close, this will be it me thinks.

[Gerry_BMG]

I wanted to say that it was a wise decision to play Huth...
We want to play offensive, by risking something. If Klinsmann would have punished Huth by making some mistakes maybe the players would play more riskless and just saftey-play... Klinsmann demands the players to risk something and even if they do errors its not that bad... If Klinsmann would have dismissed Huth it would have been a major blow for the atmosphere in the team...

[Gerry_BMG]

the probable midfield will be schneider,frings,ballack,ernst. Who the **** wants to field this midfield? Oh dear....
If that will be the lineup I will be hughely disappointed by Klinsmann because this is a very defensive line-up and a line-up which will only make us loose...

[Coldplay]

Schweini should be played........no matter how he played in the game agaunst Tunisia. Coz he is the most creative midfielder we have. He is very,very impressive in the game against against Austrailia. He may be a reason we score that much

Hanke as a starter may not be a very good idea.......He is exactly the same style as Kuranyi, what we need is a supporting forward like Poldi or Asamoah or even Neuville and Delura

[bastian]

Who the **** wants to field this midfield? Oh dear....
If that will be the lineup I will be hughely disappointed by Klinsmann because this is a very defensive line-up and a line-up which will only make us loose...


yeah ...this is the same midfield we played against north ireland and it was **** , the game just improved when deisler and the pig came in....and according kicker,ard,and zdf this will be the midfield.... argentina could kick our ass. :ninja

[TheNameOfTheG..]

If I am German coach I would play with strongest team!

But I am not, I am just a guy from Croatia who is sitting on his balcony and drinks a beer while sun is burning :drinkbeer

[ACBerb]

If I am German coach I would play with strongest team!

But I am not, I am just a guy from Croatia who is sitting on his balcony and drinks a beer while sun is burning :drinkbeer

That sounds a lot better then being the German coach! :drinkbeer

[The Southern Dandy]

You could cut this entire thread in half and it would still yield the same amount of information as it does now. Quit reiterating the same **** over and over again.

[ACBerb]

You could cut this entire thread in half and it would still yield the same amount of information as it does now. Quit reiterating the same **** over and over again.

Doesn't that go for about 50% of your posts too Dandy? :ninja

[The Southern Dandy]

Doesn't that go for about 50% of your posts too Dandy? :ninja

That would also cut your "witty" commentary down to a mangageable size.

[ACBerb]

That would also cut your "witty" commentary down to a mangageable size.

Touché :bowing

[ACBerb]

1-0 Germany Kuranyi 29'
Deutschland... Deutschland über alles...

[ACBerb]

Mutha Fuka.. :mad: they tied it up! 1-1

[Al_the drummer]

Were all over um, Hinkel and Schweini are kicking ass, unlucky to be level.

[ACBerb]

See if I got this straight, Germany will now play Mexico on Saturday because even if Japan or Brazil win tommorrow Mex will be tops thanks to head to head record? This is correct isn't it... anyone?

[Timonator]

No, I think we play against the 2nd team of the B table.

It's either Brazil or Mexico, but I think it's Brazil, cause they'll win against Japan. And Mexio will win too. :USA_Blue

[ACBerb]

Yes you are right, Brazil or Japan depending on who wins Thanx T. :drinkbeer

[Timonator]

No problem, mate :drinkbeer The best thing is to ask :drinkbeer

[ACBerb]

True, but I should have been able to work that out in my head! :handbags
I can always blame it on lack of sleep! :USA_Blue

[TheNameOfTheG..]

That sounds a lot better then being the German coach! :drinkbeer

I belive so (the pressure is smaller :laugh ) :drinkbeer

[TheNameOfTheG..]

If I am corect the next German game is in Saturday at 6 PM, right?
If it so I will have to find bar with tv somewhere because this weekend I am with my friends in Pula (north-adriatic town in Croatia) on Jamiroquai concert. To be honest I know 2 or 3 his songs, but there are other reasons which motivated me for this journey - new women market and drinking beer in new envoirment (it always brings something spectacular).

[TZI]

Indeed both semi-finals kick off at 6pm

[TheNameOfTheG..]

Yes, but second one is in Sunday.

[TZI]

Ya ha, that is the schedule for the rest of the tournament http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/c/match/index.html :wacko:

[ACBerb]

Germany must do without suspended midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger for their Confederations Cup semi-final.

The 20-year-old Bayern Munich star collected a yellow card in Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Argentina after just two minutes and must now sit out the semi-final in Nuremberg on June 25.

It is a major blow for manager Jurgen Klinsmann as Schweinsteiger has been a revelation for Germany on the left flank with his trickery and accurate crossing.

Germany's opponents in the last four are not known with world champions Brazil, Mexico and Japan still to complete their Group B matches.

Mexico top the pool and have qualified for the semi-finals while Brazil and Japan face off on Wednesday for the right to join them.

[Schwalker]

He really lost his head....frustration I guess, he was never in the game.

[IBES]

so is Kahn to blame for the 2 goals?

[The Southern Dandy]

so is Kahn to blame for the 2 goals?

Kahn wasn't even playing.

[IBES]

thought it was him in the highlights based on the blondish brownish hair. my bad

[The Southern Dandy]

thought it was him in the highlights based on the blondish brownish hair. my bad

It was Hildebrand in goal for us.

[ACBerb]

What did you think of those two goals Dandy, Hilde should have had any of them?

[The Southern Dandy]

What did you think of those two goals Dandy, Hilde should have had any of them?

I could only follow the game from the live ticker, but the first goal was unstoppable from how it sounds. Riquelme, I think it was, nailed it.

[ACBerb]

I could only follow the game from the live ticker, but the first goal was unstoppable from how it sounds. Riquelme, I think it was, nailed it.

Ahh... OK I thought you might have seen the highlights after. Both shots were from distance, I'm not saying they were bad, just thought Timo might have been able to get to at least one of them. I thought he looked a little outta postion on them but I might be a little critical of him.

[Timonator]

Both goals were fantastic, I don't think he could've hold one of those. Some say he could've hold the first goal, but it's hard to tell...I don't blame him.

Now it'll be Jens Lehmann against Brazil, how do you think he'll play?

[ACBerb]

Now it'll be Jens Lehmann against Brazil, how do you think he'll play?

Good, I hope! :woot
Seriously, he would be my last pick of the three, a good keeper no doubt but he makes little silly mistakes (even more then Kahn) every once in a while and we can't have that in a National team keeper. I think he is getting so much playing time simply because of Jürgen (I love the EPL) Klinsmann.

[TZI]

From what I seen of the first goal Hildebrand should have done better, he way too far to the other side of the goal when Riquelme stuck the free-kick. No chance for the second though.....

[ACBerb]

From what I seen of the first goal Hildebrand should have done better, he way too far to the other side of the goal when Riquelme stuck the free-kick. No chance for the second though.....

I'm surprised you weren't to busy checkin' out Timo to notice he was slightly outta position! ;)

[Theo]

OMG, Japan vs Brazil was so great.
Nakamura, hands off, one of the greatest FK takers in the world, had an awesome goal, and a good free-kick.
H. Nakata played good too, I'd like to see him playing more often in the Serie A.

But for Brazil, nothing new, still that boring game, only Kaka & Ronaldinho makes that team play more beautiful

[Gerry_BMG]

It was a nice game and the Brazilians spread great flair even when they didnt play great. To see Ronaldinho live is eyeopening. :clap
I demand Gladbach to sign him! :drinkbeer
I think Kaka is exhausted. He dont look fresh. And I have to say this Robinho will be the next big thing in international football. His skills are incredible.
During half-time it was a pleasure to watch the brazialian reserve playing in circle. That was almost more entertaining than the match :woot
maybe I will post some pics of the game later on, if some became good...

But due to their technique they often play to short passes and where very small space is, which wont work very often when the defense stays strong. If we stay strong in defense we have a decent chance to win.

My lineup:

-----------dont matter--------------

-Friedrich----Huth----Merte-----Hitz

----Schneider---Ernst----Frings
--------------Ballack
----------------------Podolski
-------------Kuranyi

Ballack or Podolski joining Kuranyi up front when the situation allows it. The main problem with that lineup would be the defensive behaviour. Frings swithing onto the left to make the left better defensively? Or Ballack? Or Podolski? Overall I think this lineup would make most of the players play their prefered position... Podolski behind the striker, to use his passing and running abilities. Ballack plays as the guy who dont have to play dm or om and many think thats his best position. Ernst and Frings as dm who gave the defense against Argentina good hold. Ernst was great in that game.

[Theo]

You know why this game was so great?
In the first half, Brazil tried to make a show, they did tricks, and Japan instantly responded. I'm watching the game again, and look at the "fight" on the midfield: Ronaldinho - Nakata, Kaka - Nakamura.

This was a splendid match, one of the best in this tournament

[Guday]

To see Ronaldinho live is eyeopening. :clap
I demand Gladbach to sign him! :

Please send in Gladbach application to be the German franchise of Mr Abramovich as soon as you can, I heard that he will only pick one BL club for obvious reason! :laugh :laugh

[elmubarak]

Can't wait for the big match. I boldly predict that we'll win 2-0

[Guday]

Can't wait for the big match. I boldly predict that we'll win 2-0

On form and motivated Brazil will take care of this match Bremen style. But Germany playing at home, motivated and fresher physically - would result in a less dramatic outcome. 3-3 full time draw but Brazil penalty takers take it their way. Adios motherland!

[Faram|R]

I think it will be 2-2....but it is still Germany who will go through to the final.Germany will beat the Brazilian 5-4(with Ronaldinho misses the last penalty...) LOL..I'm too much hoping right??

[yushida03]

Can't wait for the big match. I boldly predict that we'll win 2-0

[swissknife]

I
My lineup:

-----------dont matter--------------

-Friedrich----Huth----Merte-----Hitz

----Schneider---Ernst----Frings
--------------Ballack
----------------------Podolski
-------------Kuranyi


Did Schweini die?

[Timonator]

He got 2 yellow cards, that's why he won't play :(

[locoLopez]

mr. pig received his 2nd yellow card in the game vs. argentina.

ah timonator was faster..

[Gerry_BMG]

some pics of Brazil vs Japan

Jorginho....

[Gerry_BMG]

junju kanjamori.... nananana....

[Gerry_BMG]

[Gerry_BMG]

Robinho celebration....

[Gerry_BMG]

"bayern Sucks, Ze!!!!"

[Gerry_BMG]

Robinho to fast for the cam...

[Gerry_BMG]

La Ola! :clap:bowing

[Gerry_BMG]

Panorama pic...

[Gerry_BMG]

This is for you, Bomber. Ze Robertos ass...

[Gerry_BMG]

Boogie-Woogie-Man in action...

[Gerry_BMG]

atmoshperic friday night games have to come back to the BL...

[Gerry_BMG]

Nakamura freekick... leading to the equaliser... (last pic)

[ACBerb]

Boogie-Woogie-Man in action...

Boogie-Woogie-Man = aka Gerry

Nice pics dude! :drinkbeer (where is the pics of the Beer Garden?) :drinkbeer

[locoLopez]

nice pics gerry, thx for that

[ACBerb]

NUREMBERG, Germany, June 24 (Reuters) - The return of Michael Ballack and Ronaldo's absence could see Germany turn the tables on Brazil when they meet in Saturday's Confederations Cup semi-final, three years on from the World Cup final. Ballack, the heartbeat of the German team then as now, was suspended in Yokahama on June 30, 2002 as Ronaldo scored twice in Brazil's 2-0 win over Germany to give Brazil their fifth World Cup win.

The odds are stacking up in favour of a German victory when the sides resume hostilities in historic Nuremberg with a place in the final against Mexico or Argentina at stake.

Ronaldinho, Robinho, Kaka and Adriano have shown flashes of brilliance but all four forwards are starting to wilt. Ronaldo, excused the competition after he asked for an extended holiday, is really starting to be missed.

Germany have had an extra day's rest, having clinched first place in Group A with a 2-2 draw against Argentina on Tuesday, and they will be buoyed by the support of a 42,000 capacity crowd at the Frankenstadion.

"Some of our good players are exhausted," Parreira recognised after his side had only just managed to hold on for a 2-2 draw with Japan and make it into the semi-finals behind Mexico.

"We have to have a good think about the line-up for the match.

"Germany rested good players for their last game, they've had an extra day to rest and the match is very important to them as the host nation."

Germany have not beaten a top-class team for 13 internationals since October 2000 and coach Juergen Klinsmann would love to end that annoying streak.

One of Klinsmann's first matches in charge was a 1-1 draw with Brazil in a friendly international in September 2004 to celebrate the re-opening of the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, the venue for next year's World Cup final.

It is clear that Germany are moving in the right direction under Klinsmann, who has nurtured young players such as Robert Huth and Per Mertesacker in defence, Bastian Schweinsteiger in midfield and Lukas Podolski in attack.

The question is how such a young side will perform against mighty Brazil, a team led by World Player of the Year Ronaldinho and packed with quality, even if Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Cafu are missing.

Jens Lehmann will play in goal against Brazil, with Oliver Kahn returning for the final or third-place match.

Arne Friedrich should return from suspension at right-back but Schweinsteiger is out after picking up his second yellow card against Argentina. Torsten Frings is likely to come in.

Parreira gave his players a day off on Thursday. There are no serious injuries but the coach will wait to see how his players perform in training before deciding on the team.

"We want to win this competition," Parreira said. "We'll choose the best team we can, depending on the physical and mental state of each man."

The second semi-final between Argentina and Mexico takes place in Hanover on Sunday. The final is in Frankfurt next Wednesday.

[ACBerb]

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Brazilian soccer star Roberto Carlos was in the back seat of his car and doing a live radio interview Friday when two gunmen on a motorcycle pulled over and demanded valuables, a radio station said.

The Real Madrid player was at a stoplight in Belo Horizonte, 340 kilometres from Rio, the Jovem Pan radio station said.

"They just robbed my car," the player said during the interview. "That's never happened to me before. What a scare!"

Roberto Carlos said the thieves apparently didn't recognize him and didn't take anything from him. But he said they stole a wris****ch and cellphone from a journalist in the car.

"We know this can happen anywhere," the player said.

A veteran starter on Brazil's national team, Roberto Carlos is not playing on the Confederations Cup squad in Germany. Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said he wanted to test reserves before next year's World Cup.

I think in Germany the thief would have just gone for an autograph! :laugh

[ACBerb]

Come on Germany... I just want them to kick Brazil ass!!!!!!!!!!!!! :drinkbeer

[IBES]

what the hell...livescore had the score 2-1 before I saw it on tv...usually it is vice versa with the tv having the correct score and live score slow to update

[ACBerb]

2-2 Ballack converts the penalty! :drinkbeer

[Timonator]

What a great game :clap But I think Germany was stronger in the first half...ggoooooo Deutschland

:drinkbeer

[IBES]

ahh u ruined the pk for me :P

about time roque got busted for those shirt pulling. He did it twice to Borgetti against Mexico and it was never called.

[soccerbest]

Roque Junior and Huth could partner up to form the ****tiest defense in the world. :laugh

[DeutscheBong]

Cheeseball penalty on Huth, but he is getting beat by the quick Brazilians.

We played a very good 1st half IMO. I just wish Schweinsteiger was in.

[scorpion2a]

why isn't ARD or ZDF showing the game??? On which channel are U watching?

[Mertesacker]

I already wrote in the other thread that ZDF IS showing the game!!

[Excelsior]

Come on Germany, equalise soon!!!

[Barje]

ft germany 2 - 3 brasil

[Excelsior]

Too bad...

[swissknife]

surprise surprise

[palmerq]

Good to see ballack can still win some penaltys.
Germany didn't do too badly from the 25 minutes I saw, except the centre backs.

[DeutscheBong]

Tough loss.

:censored

[IBES]

tough break but why wasn't Klose picked? The crosses into the box seem suited for him.

[ACBerb]

Klose is injured

[IBES]

then what else can you do. I was not sure why Klinsman went with lehamn after going with Hil earlier

[vieri_snowman]

Exciting game. Ballack was garbage and Roque Junior is Brazil's Materazzi. Adriano was magical.

[ACBerb]

then what else can you do.

Play for third place at least!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :ninja

[The Southern Dandy]

My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard...

[Ballack13]

Once again the retard Huth is at fault for a goal. This guy has gotta be one of the worst centerbacks I have ever seen at this level lol. Seriously his i.q. seems so low. He constantly gives away free kicks in dangerous positions and thinks he can win every ball buy pushing guys out of the way. What an ass. I would prefer Fahrenhorst, Manuel Friedrich, Kehl, Schlicke, pretty much anyone over this guy!!!! Mertesacker is class but he is partnered with a total idiot.

Vieri-snowman

What the hell are you smoking? Ballack was class as always. I dont think there is a player int he world with his all around game.

[Timonator]

I'm not sad that we lost (though, a lil bit ;) )

We dominated the game in many parts, but it's always the last 15min were we lose the game and get goals. Klinsi still has almost a year time to improve the weaknesses. And don't forget we have lots of injured player who will come back too.

Don't stop positive thinking! :drinkbeer

It was a great game and our team is on a good way. I think we were better, but Brazil were smarter. They have a lot of individual class and that paid of in the end.

I missed Schweini :( Maybe we'd have won with him )

[palmerq]

Vieri-snowman

What the hell are you smoking? Ballack was class as always. I dont think there is a player int he world with his all around game.well form what I saw ballack didn't have his best of games(He could of before I came home though), but it wasn't his worst either chasing a lot of balls but he looked quite tired.
I thought both centre backs were at fault for the third goal and germany were lucky earlier that adriano was caught off side when no-one was near him at all.
But for some good things, I thought friedrich was good he saved huth a few times, he's a good defender. I didn't think frings was too bad in midfield.
Was schneider at left back? I think he's still a skillfull player but is too old and slow to play on the flanks now.
Although I think germany have improved a lot since euro 2004 and podolski is scoring regulary too :cool , it's good to see for the germans :clap .

I didn't see the whole game though so I could be wrong.

[Barje]

Ballack was the best player germany had today. He was everywhere on the pitch, organizing the defense and commanding the attack...

When was Adriano "magical"? Maybe in his numerous off-sides? Ir his crappy deflected free-kick?

[Ballack13]

Ballack was the best player germany had today. He was everywhere on the pitch, organizing the defense and commanding the attack...

When was Adriano "magical"? Maybe in his numerous off-sides? Ir his crappy deflected free-kick?

I agree....adriano didnt do much. His free kick was pure luck. The goal was a one on one with the keeper, nothing special either. He didnt do much the rest of the match. Germany did well to shut down the individual skills of Brazil. All of there creative players were marked out of the game. Germany was unfortunate, I think they were better minus the last 15 or so minutes.

[Aequitas]

Ballack was the best player germany had today. He was everywhere on the pitch, organizing the defense and commanding the attack...
diving... in the penalty for Germany.

When was Adriano "magical"? Maybe in his numerous off-sides? Ir his crappy deflected free-kick?

Maybe you didn't see the game at aLL. Adriano did HIS JOB.


9. ADRIANO (21')
9. ADRIANO (76')

[The Southern Dandy]

diving... in the penalty for Germany.



You seem to have some issue with diving...which is funny coming from a South American.

[ACBerb]

Dandy you still have enough in the tank to have another go with this guy? :bowing

[Timonator]

Oh please, why do you do that, Aequitas ??? Don't you have something better to do?

If you'd have seen the whole game than you would have noticed that we were the better team.

You know nothing about german football(player).

I don't need those comments of someone who hates our team, because you'll always try to find negative things...let us alone here, I don't spam your boards with negative comments, so please stop it!

[ACBerb]

Oh please, why do you do that, Aequitas ??? Don't you have something better to do?

If you'd have seen the whole game than you would have noticed that we were the better team.

You know nothing about german football(player).

I don't need those comments of someone who hates our team, because you'll always try to find negative things...let us alone here, I don't spam your boards with negative comments, so please stop it!


Agreed we already have Guday for that! :ninja

[palmerq]

Agreed we already have Guday for that! :ninja
Acberb my predictions I mention a few minutes ago have been proved wrong so far but, he'll sort that out I'm sure.

[ACBerb]

Palm, I'm just shocked to see you made it to the game in Germany today!

[ACBerb]

I think the guy in the Benz is still pissed off you hitched a ride! :ninja

[Timonator]

http://www.sport1.de/coremedia/pics/30/30/20/6x424x300x3,property=original.jpg


http://www.sport1.de/coremedia/pics/30/30/19/6x424x300x3,property=original.jpg :cool

http://www.sport1.de/coremedia/pics/30/30/18/6x424x300x3,property=original.jpg :(


The only thing that helps :drinkbeer

[palmerq]

Palm, I'm just shocked to see you made it to the game in Germany today!Acberb I have never seen a machine that moves on four wheels before I needed a souvenier. :cool
And timonators pictures are very good unlike someones :ninja

[yushida03]

well i think Germany had a good game against the Brazilians.. remember that we have quite bad record against them before the match, 3-5-11.. and the defeat tonight just add that to 3-5-12.. and a 2-3 score doesn't look bad either.

Ballack was very productive, but his poor finishing was quite a letdown, considering he got a few decent chances to score. It's very disappointing to see one of the most prolific goalscorer among the world's best midfielder can only score 3 penalties in this tournament :woot . But it's good to see Podolski scoring. Midfield was also largely controlled by the germans - it's a good sign. Kaka and Ronaldinho were effectively shut down for most of the time. Frings and Ernst did well. Can't comment much on Borowski, he had too little time on the pitch.

I won't blame the goals totally on the defense, though Huth played some part to concede the penalty. Despite some remarks on Huth, I think Klinsi should retain his partnership with Mertesacker, or else find a better player and i doubt there's many out there. We couldn't afford to wait for Metzelder's return for the rest of our lives :laugh.. Personally i think Huth should move club to get more playing opportunities at club level.

I think Klinsi should find an able replacement for LB position besides Hitzl. Schneider did enough but that's not his position, period. Yes, we got Lahm and Pander, and maybe Schulz, but what if all 3 are not available, like this time? hmm..

Lehmann? I'm not big fan of him, ever since his transfer to Arsenal.. but to be fair, he has done his job, putting on a few decent saves. We still have Kahn, but Hildebrand should be given more exposure at international level..

Overall, the future looks good for Germany, just hope for the best.. :clap

[vieri_snowman]

Vieri-snowman

What the hell are you smoking? Ballack was class as always. I dont think there is a player int he world with his all around game.

Obviously nothing bad enough. Ballack wasted like 30 rushes today.

[Javier Zanetti]

When was Adriano "magical"? Maybe in his numerous off-sides? Ir his crappy deflected free-kick?
When he musceled off Huth to dribble past him and score ,when Huth couldn't block him so he pushed him in the area ,when he sent Julio Baptista to a one vs one with Lehmann ,Adriano has basicly beaten us by himself ,as Kaka Ronaldinho and Robinho hardly even touched the ball.

I really liked Deisler and Schneider ,they made a lot of effort.

[Al_the drummer]

I personally think this is a fantastic result for Germany, much better to loose now than next summer, learn from all the mistakes and use the lose as a catalyst for improvment.

After this tournament we now have a much clearer picture of the team, which will host next years world cup, its strengths and weaknesses.

Strengths for me we firstly Hinkle’s raids down the right, very good feet and a nice crosser for whom a player like Miroslav Klose would reap the benefits of with his strength on the headers. Per Mertesacker is a giant in every sense of the word; I would say THE most promising defensive prospect in Europe right now and whom will now be a permanent fixture for Germany for many years to come. Also the midfield showed some real bright sparks with Sebastian Deislers return and the continuous rise of Schweini who is now turning him into a recognised star player across Europe. Oh and of course Podolski whose goals will be much needed in the WM. As for the keepers Hildebrand is no.1 (despite that free-kick), Kahn second, I'd have no place for Lehmann, sorry Jens.

For me the jury is still out on Kuranyi and Asamoah strike partnership, I'll stick my neck out and say that I'd rather have Klose than Kuranyi, Kuranyi is a good all round player but I just feel Klose is a more effective striker with better finishing and aerial play.

Asamoah impresses me in intervals with his boundless energy, strength and will and he should certainly be in the world cup squad and would be a great substitute in anybody’s team late on in games to hit tired defences but like with Kuranyi he is just that vital fraction short of the class needed to win a world cup. Benjamin Lauth is the big hope and it's make or break for him next season but a partnership with Podolski or Klose would be a joy too see.

The weaknesses firstly Thomas Hitzlsperger, a player whom I've never rated very highly, yes the cracking left foot gets him the headlines but I don't see any other real stand-out attribute that warrants his place in the team. When Phillip Lahm is fit he will be history anyway but without Lahm the left side is shaky as we have clearly seen. I also think it's time we sought competition for Frings in the midfield and this should come in the shape of the brilliant Tim Borowski who hardly got a chance.

Robert Huth, yes, the bandwagon of criticism is open but how many first team games did he play last season? He as a rather large unpolished jem who needs first team football all the time and if he stays at Chelsea another season he is a fool, strong and uncompromising but badly lacking in experience at the top level, who can deny that?

So all in all we have a nice spine just imagine.

My WM 2006 dream team,

..........................Hildebrand

..............Mertesacker......Metzelder

..Hinkel.......................................... ......Lahm

..........................Borowski

..........................Ballack

...............Schweinstiger.......Deisler

..................Lauth
..........................Podolski

Bench = Piotr Trochowski!!

[Faram|R]

...........and Germany beaten by Brazil again. But it's nice to see how the Germans fight back after they were trailing. Its unlucky that the German conceded the third goal. I'm not anti-Huth but based by his performance against Brazil yesterday..I think he is lack that experience to play in the international stage. I really hope he can learn something from this defeat..