euro2008
October 2008 
Another Fairy Tale for Germany?
Posted on Jun 20th, 2008
by 
Albert
Albert
After the Germany reached the Semi Finales of EURO2008 yesterday it was the question why the German Team succeded in such a fantastic way. Playing with passion, fighting spirit and the absolute will to make no prisoners:):)
Combined with the most innovative, cvreative and offensive tactics seen for a long time. Sorry, Ronaldinho, Deco et al...you were not tough enough yesterday...:):)
The summer of 2006 is back again in the collective feelings and it becomes clear again, what it needs to catapult Germany back to the World Stage in other areas too. Thanks to national coach Jogi Löw and his partners. It was a dream to watch the game. and the next games will be exciting as seldom before..
Another Fairy Tale for Germany?
It was the match they weren't supposed to win. But with a new formation, grit, muscle, and a coach watching over them, the Germans defeated the graceful Portuguese to reach the EURO 2008 semifinals.
On a rainy Thursday night in Basel, German power beat Portuguese skill 3-2, sending Germany to its first European semifinal in 12 years.
It was a game that brought early relief to the Germans playing against the team many thought was on its way to winning the tournament. Using a new formation and a few new starters, the Germans started the game tense before Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger slid past his defender in the 22nd minute to drive a cross into the Portuguese goal.
PHOTO GALLERY: GERMANY CELEBRATES A DESERVED VICTORY
Four minutes later, Miroslav Klose's header put Germany ahead 2-0. Although they would outshoot the Germans two-to-one, the Portuguese managed only one goal before halftime and another near the end of the game.
The late goal, though, was only enough to bring the Portuguese within 3-2 -- setting up a nerve-wracking final few minutes for German fans fearful of the powerful Portuguese offense led by scoring machine and superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. In the end, though, Ronaldo left the field scoreless and frustrated, later telling reporters about a previously undisclosed, three-month-old foot injury as well as a possible move from Manchester United to Real Madrid.
EURO 2008 LIVE SCORES EURO 2008 live results and match fixtures.
While team captain Michael Ballack led the team in resolve and level-headedness, Schweinsteiger provided the passion. Returning from a one-game suspension for shoving an opponent in Germany's 2-1 loss to Croatia, Schweinsteiger had a foot in all of Germany's goals, making one himself and setting up the other two with free kicks.
"Everything is possible," said an elated Schweinstieger after the game. "We can battle."
A battle it was, and a battle won without a general. German coach Joachim Löw was forced by the UEFA to sit in a glass luxury box without any contact with the team as punishment for arguing with a UEFA official during Germany's 1-0 victory over Austria on Monday. Löw paced, picked his nose and -- after Portugal came within one goal of the Germans near the end of the game -- jumped up to light a nerve-calming cigarette.
"It was terrible to be up there," Löw told reporters after the game. "It was a lot more nerve-wracking. You're so far from the pitch. You see some things a bit better, but the distance...gets on your nerves."
Another man with nerve problems was Luiz Felipe Scolari, as he coached his last game for the Portuguese team. In general, Scolari was frustrated by how the larger German players out-hustled and out-muscled his smaller, faster and more graceful players.
In particular, though, Scolari was livid about a no-call when Germany scored its third and winning goal. On his way to heading a Schweinsteiger free kick into the goal, Michael Ballack freed up some space with a shove in the back of Paulo Ferreira.
After the game, Scolari sharply criticized Swedish referee Peter Frojdfeldt for missing the call. "We made some mistakes in the first two goals, but I can contest the third, and television can show it clearly."
Perhaps Scolari, Ferreira and Ballack will have more time to discuss the issue soon as Scolari will be joining the two players as coach in Chelsea in July.
Ballack credited the win to Germany's switch from its usual 4-2-2-2 formation to a 4-2-3-1 system, which put him in a more offensive role. Coach Löw described his reasons for the switch, telling reporters: "After the game against Austria, we had to make changes. ... Against a Portuguese team that could play so strongly in the midfield, it was important to jam things up."
Germany's assistant coach Hansi Flick, who led the team in Löw's absence, also credited the team's embattled passion, saying that his team played "hungry and hot."
Next up for Germany will be the winner of Friday's Croatia-Turkey match in a game to be held Wednesday in Basel. Either opponent will bring its own drama. Croatia has already defeated the Germans in this tournament, and a Turkey-Germany match would have the added drama and tension brought by the large Turkish immigrant population in Germany. Turkey advanced following a dramatic 3-2 triumph over the Czech Republic Sunday.
Combined with the most innovative, cvreative and offensive tactics seen for a long time. Sorry, Ronaldinho, Deco et al...you were not tough enough yesterday...:):)
The summer of 2006 is back again in the collective feelings and it becomes clear again, what it needs to catapult Germany back to the World Stage in other areas too. Thanks to national coach Jogi Löw and his partners. It was a dream to watch the game. and the next games will be exciting as seldom before..
Another Fairy Tale for Germany?
It was the match they weren't supposed to win. But with a new formation, grit, muscle, and a coach watching over them, the Germans defeated the graceful Portuguese to reach the EURO 2008 semifinals.
On a rainy Thursday night in Basel, German power beat Portuguese skill 3-2, sending Germany to its first European semifinal in 12 years.
It was a game that brought early relief to the Germans playing against the team many thought was on its way to winning the tournament. Using a new formation and a few new starters, the Germans started the game tense before Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger slid past his defender in the 22nd minute to drive a cross into the Portuguese goal.
PHOTO GALLERY: GERMANY CELEBRATES A DESERVED VICTORY
Four minutes later, Miroslav Klose's header put Germany ahead 2-0. Although they would outshoot the Germans two-to-one, the Portuguese managed only one goal before halftime and another near the end of the game.
The late goal, though, was only enough to bring the Portuguese within 3-2 -- setting up a nerve-wracking final few minutes for German fans fearful of the powerful Portuguese offense led by scoring machine and superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. In the end, though, Ronaldo left the field scoreless and frustrated, later telling reporters about a previously undisclosed, three-month-old foot injury as well as a possible move from Manchester United to Real Madrid.
EURO 2008 LIVE SCORES EURO 2008 live results and match fixtures.
While team captain Michael Ballack led the team in resolve and level-headedness, Schweinsteiger provided the passion. Returning from a one-game suspension for shoving an opponent in Germany's 2-1 loss to Croatia, Schweinsteiger had a foot in all of Germany's goals, making one himself and setting up the other two with free kicks.
"Everything is possible," said an elated Schweinstieger after the game. "We can battle."
A battle it was, and a battle won without a general. German coach Joachim Löw was forced by the UEFA to sit in a glass luxury box without any contact with the team as punishment for arguing with a UEFA official during Germany's 1-0 victory over Austria on Monday. Löw paced, picked his nose and -- after Portugal came within one goal of the Germans near the end of the game -- jumped up to light a nerve-calming cigarette.
"It was terrible to be up there," Löw told reporters after the game. "It was a lot more nerve-wracking. You're so far from the pitch. You see some things a bit better, but the distance...gets on your nerves."
Another man with nerve problems was Luiz Felipe Scolari, as he coached his last game for the Portuguese team. In general, Scolari was frustrated by how the larger German players out-hustled and out-muscled his smaller, faster and more graceful players.
In particular, though, Scolari was livid about a no-call when Germany scored its third and winning goal. On his way to heading a Schweinsteiger free kick into the goal, Michael Ballack freed up some space with a shove in the back of Paulo Ferreira.
After the game, Scolari sharply criticized Swedish referee Peter Frojdfeldt for missing the call. "We made some mistakes in the first two goals, but I can contest the third, and television can show it clearly."
Perhaps Scolari, Ferreira and Ballack will have more time to discuss the issue soon as Scolari will be joining the two players as coach in Chelsea in July.
Ballack credited the win to Germany's switch from its usual 4-2-2-2 formation to a 4-2-3-1 system, which put him in a more offensive role. Coach Löw described his reasons for the switch, telling reporters: "After the game against Austria, we had to make changes. ... Against a Portuguese team that could play so strongly in the midfield, it was important to jam things up."
Germany's assistant coach Hansi Flick, who led the team in Löw's absence, also credited the team's embattled passion, saying that his team played "hungry and hot."
Next up for Germany will be the winner of Friday's Croatia-Turkey match in a game to be held Wednesday in Basel. Either opponent will bring its own drama. Croatia has already defeated the Germans in this tournament, and a Turkey-Germany match would have the added drama and tension brought by the large Turkish immigrant population in Germany. Turkey advanced following a dramatic 3-2 triumph over the Czech Republic Sunday.
Access: Public
Best of luck! :)
its sheer joy…):) and now next Wednesday in Semifinals:
Germany -Turkey
The air will burn….in Berlin too as we have the greatest turkish communitzy outside of Turkey in the world in Berlin.
Its a wonderful atmosphere and -once again- the outburst and eruptions of such strong emotions is simply fantastic.
Love it!
I'm representing Croatia, and I have no excuse for how my team played like man-whores against Turkey. But… I know If Eduardo wasn't injured that we would have basically won the whole thing and embarassed everyone. I mean c'mon, we beat Germany without out best striker…
Hi Lucid:):) you know about the mysteries of tournaments. The Dutch were brilliant last years.but often did sometimes not survie the quarter finals…everything is possible…and my best wishes go to you and Croatia too.Like your national coach very much…
Albert
Hello Albert : ) I'm just so disappointed that Croatia and our main man Slaven Bilic didn't make it to at least the semi-finals. That was such a close game against Turkey. We have so much raw talent, a lot of future premier league contracts there… But… we dropped the ball. Eduardo or not, that sucks. Modric and all these guys are too comfortable in getting big deals, they don't play all the way ya? Oh well…
Lucid,
Croatia football has such a bright future! I feel it. Jugoslavico dobar dan!
My grandparents from my mothers side were Slovenian immigrants from Laibach/Ljubljana who came to Germany before WW1.
Best wishes for you and Croatia!
Albert
Dobro jutro i dobar dan stari ; )
Best wishes to you, and Germany as well. I have lived there and felt comfortable as a human being. Peace : )
You know, I just thought about how big of a thing this is gonna be in Germany. Us Croats are such a small minority, but the Turks are such a huge minority they might as well be a majority. I don't remember a single corner or train station without a doner kebap or something of the sort ya? What a game!
;:):) O yes:)
BTW. :
ILike Döner Kebap as much a good croatic Grilteller:):)
Hahaha…. For sure ; )
All I know is that I ate so much doner kebap that I had to piss off to the Lebanese restaurant and eat some shawarma and arabischer tee for good measure ; )
Yes, I feel it coming in the air the great sportive tension between the German population in Berlin and the Turks - by the way 1.7 Million Turks live in Germany of which aroun half a Million have taken on German nationality. They are the largest single group of foreigners lliving here.
In this tournament, whenever the Turks won a match we had huge parties on the Berlin streets (mainly Kudamm) with around 25.000 present there last time.
To tell you the truth, I was hoping the Croats would make it; not only because that way we (Germany) would have another chance, but most of all because I was afraid that we'll get difficult times between these two populations - both Albert and I living in an area of Berlin where the are many Turks (not as many as in other parts but still a big part of the population).
But already yesterday night I got the impression there is a strong will on both sides to make this a festive competition.
There was this one Croatian restaurant off of Fregestrasse that was pretty good, do you know it? Proper food, they are from Dalmatia though, I am from Slavonia. Different parts of the country, but we get along.
I remember the doner kebap store around the corner where I lived, the people who worked there were actually Kurdish people, not Turkish. I found that interesting. There was this one man who understood things very clearly. We spoke about many things, like the fact that the Saudis are ______ Do you understand?
There was this one man who understood things very clearly. We spoke about many things, like the fact that the Saudis are ______ Do you understand?
Sorry to jack your thread, Albert. But the _____ stands for absolutely nothing. The man that I spoke to was tired of turks, kurds, muslims, christians, wahabbists, crusaders, americans, brits, europeans, assorted assholes, etc. and basically everyone… I can kind of relate to that. Every time I visit Croatia I run into a new kind of asshole which I headbutt or not…
Tom, you will laugh now:
Dalmatia is my favorite Croatian Restaruant! Especilly after Sauna I prefer to eat there sometimes. Like it very much.
Regaring the man you are speaking about:
I have lots to do now with Arab GCC Region at Persian/ARab Gulf. Lots of mutual respect and appreciation of more than 160 nations is there well and alive. Hospitality, friendship and creative collaboration.
Wil be great when we do the same in Germany and Europe.
As my sister -she is hotel director in Mercure hotel group -is married with a turkish man too and I have lots experiences with other nations in my Ruhr Area time - Dutch, Polish, Italian, Croations, Turkish people, Filipinos, Coreans, Brits, Americans, Russians, French people , and lots of others…..I enjoy the huge Integration potentials which are here in Germany,
Wishing you a great time in Slavonia, (not tombe confused with Slovenia:):)
Albert
Mushin, exactly!
it is and will be a great party and sportive competition. I expect a very loooooong night in Berlin next week from Wednesday to Thursday. A wonderful atmosphere…..
When will you move to Steglitz?
Will move to nice and bourgeoise Steglitz end of July… so long after we had the grand German-Turkish party on Wednesday.
Mushin..wish you a wonderful time in Berlin Steglitz and a good first night! You know dreams in the first night might come true:):)
Enjoy the weekend,
Anittta
Dalmatia is my favorite Croatian Restaruant! Especilly after Sauna I prefer to eat there sometimes. Like it very much.
No way, that's awesome. I actually love Dalmatian food, Slavonian food is too much pork and not enough creativity. My Sumo-like grandfather is a living testament, classic example of a Slavonian diet gone terribly wrong… Dalmatians know how to use meats/seafood/vegetables and mix it up properly, as anyone who has visited the Adriatic coast in the summer can testify to right?
As for Croatia, it saddens me that I find more and more stupidity and ignorance there every time I visit. More violence, racism, counter-productive behavior, etc… I suppose economic factors (massive inflation and poverty) are driving social factors and people don't know how to behave properly. It is actually a wonderful and civilized society, yet history and recent outside economic factors overwhelm the positive and stir the negative. Oh well, at least we're good at sports ya?
I have lots to do now with Arab GCC Region at Persian/ARab Gulf. Lots of mutual respect and appreciation of more than 160 nations is there well and alive. Hospitality, friendship and creative collaboration.
Right on, it's all about the mutual respect. I just feel bad that Arabs have been getting a bad rap for the wrong reasons lately. It's like the 70's all over again with oil prices for example, OPEC is getting blamed when it's the fault of the Anglo-American oil cartel and the finance criminals backed by the Federal Reserve who are driving up prices by speculating through the NY and London exchanges, etc…
well, congratulations! and good luck! :)
Aaaaa, to be second - what a blessing… as the Spanish were much better, weren't they?