Willempie wrote on 06/25/08 at 12:51:39:

Where do they have that, Seattle?  The certainly don't in Cleveland.  I was in Houston recently on business, and I went to an Astros game.  There were plenty of kids there, and they were all watching the game.

Smyslov_Fan wrote on 06/28/08 at 07:56:44:


Casillas has been starting for Real Madrid since he was 18; he'll be fine.  Set pieces will be the only real concern, but then it will be a marking issue and not a Casillas one.  In open play, I suspect that Schweinsteiger is likely the most dangerous German, but as you point out, the Spanish defense isn't nearly as leaky as the German one.  Poor Lehmann has received little help from his back line...

I'm going with germany over spain by penalty kicks.

Germany's backline has been atrocious throughout the tournament.  I thought Spain was positively clinical in dismantling the Russians.  They'll do the same thing to the Germans: make them chase the ball and then break them down.  The one concern for Spain should be set plays: their marking has been a little questionable on these throughout the tournament.  That said, the Germans have failed to impress.  Portugal made Germany look good...

True, Germany found it hard to take over the initiative and to put pressure on a solid defense. Thus the games against defensive playing teams like Croatia, Turkey and Austria did not impress.

Spain is an attacking team, which should suit Germany much better. The spanish style of play is indeed comparable to Portugal. Against Portugal a clever organised defence with two defensive midfielders and one forward destroyed the portugese game.

The same setup failed completely against Turkey, who defended very well after they lost the ball (which they rarely did). Germany surely needed a second forward in that match, but looking at the unstable and disorganized defence it was understandable that they didn´t change the strategy.

But against Spain the portugese strategy might work again, unless Torres, Xavi, Fabregas etc. can obtain the lead early in the game.

Germany will enjoy it´s position as an outsider. So far Spain did not have a crisis in the tournament. This might be a weakness if germany can score the first goal, but on the other hand it shows that the spanish team would surely deserve to win the final.

Unfortunately Germany will win. They are the typical "opponent". They always adjust to their opponent (not in tactics, but in playing level). When it really matters, they will either be slightly better or more effective than their opponent. If you look at the team itself, it is just a mediocre Bundesliga team, but their "Spielgeist" will put them through.

HgMan wrote on 06/27/08 at 01:41:29:


I really hope they win the tournament. Very attractive football. Germany has not impressed me at all.

I don't get the joke - if I were a qualified coach I wouldn't hesitate a second if I had to chose between Barcelona, Chelsea or that great club from Enschede!