Germany Through + Preview of France and Italy

    It took the Germans 49 minutes to score against a spirited Austrian squad. Needing a win or tie  go through, the Germans played efficient football, not stretching themselves and allowing the goal to come to them. Michael Ballack will be relieved to have finally opened his scoring account at the Euro, but he can't be content with how his squad played. While Germany only needed a point to make it through, they looked the same as the team who lost to Croatia not a week ago. In my opinion the Germans did not take advantage of an opportunity to make a statement in a game they could have easily won.

   But credit is due to the Austrians, who fought properly and made their country proud in an effort to pull off a massive upset. For most of the game they had control and certainly looked more dangerous, but their touch and crosses let them down in the final third; where almost everyone of their attacks came to a screaming halt. Jens Lehmann was only tested a few times, and instead of taking advantage of his recent struggles with corners and high lofting crosses, the Austrians opted to go for the back post on most of their attempts, often times over shooting their forwards. A disappointing result for so much effort, but I think that the host country exits the tournament on a high note; very little was expected of them, and their heart and determination was obvious to anyone watching. 

    Referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzales must of been having a bad day from the start. He booked the Austrians on several occasions for less than convincing challenges, and it became rather frustrating that the game was interrupted so often by penalties.  Its international football. I am sure that a referee could find something to call on every single tackle, but that would ruin the game. It would have been nice if he could have let them play, because most of the first half was lost to the stop and start nature of an officials whistle. One of the more bizarre moments I've seen of the tournament so far was when Gonzales ordered both respective head coaches to the stands after apparently getting tired of their "constant bickering." A note to Mr. Gonzales, you should be paying attention to the field, unless you see the two said men in a full brawl, in my opinion it doesn't concern you. Coaches are going to argue, are going to talk trash to one another, its just another aspect of the game that an official should let be unless it begins to impact the integrity of the game. 

    Elsewhere the Croatians put down upset minded Poland with a squad that had 8 new faces as they rested up for their quarterfinal date against Turkey. I do feel a bit bad for the Poles, they seem to just have the worst luck when it comes to these major tournaments. The skill seems to be there, but sometimes you need Lady Luck on your side, and it just hasn't been their for the Polish side. Artur Boruc continued to impress with a string of amazing saves against the Croats. Before we signed Fabianski I really was hoping we would make a bid on the Celtic goal tender; but I think that in the years to come he'll be swooped up by one of the bigger Spanish sides or an Italian giant, he certainly has the skill. 

    Tomorrow looks to be an interesting day with France and Italy squaring off in what could be either an epic game or another bore between super powers, unfortunately my money is on the latter. The scenario is rather simple, with a win Romania can knock both France and Italy out of the tournament, but if they tie, they need France and Italy to also tie in order for them go through. Yet, if they lose, then it will be the winner of the France and Italy game who goes through. If both games end in draws, then Romania will be through because of their Goal Difference which is at zero. 

    Personally I am not a fan of the Italians; so I'm not going to go in to how they need to win. Alright I can't resist. Take as many dives as possible inside the eighteen and hope for the best, seems to be the most reasonable strategy for the Italians over the last six years. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

    In any case, the French; I pray will start Henry and Anelka up top. Franck Ribery has been doing a great job of putting dangerous balls into the area and those two will pounce on them eventually. I was quite impressed with Henry, as he showed a few of us that he still has the legs and is as deadly as ever. Of course hes a bit off his form, but expect him to play an important role in tomorrow's match.  I'll be dissapointed if French coach Raymond Domenech decides to play only one striker again, as I just dont think you can settle with a defensive formation. Sometimes you need to play to draw, and others; like tomorrow, you need to play to win. I'd expect the French to play rather aggressive, and after watching the Dutch destroy them with it, the Italians will most likely try to play the counter attack. Something that Lilliam Thuram and Gunner captain William Gallas will need to protect against; they both looked dreadful in their last game. And on a different tangent, if Domenech brings on Bafetimbi Gomis again, I'll likely break the Television. He's been dull and unconvincing in both games, bring on Benzema if your looking for a different attacking threat would be my advice to the French skipper. 

    Now in a miserable world, as so often happens when two super-giants square off, the game becomes more of a chess match then anything, with neither team really committing to the attack. Hopefully the game is wide open from the start, and both coaches throw caution to the wind.  Its dissapointing that both games are on at the same time, because I'd really like to watch Romania play and see if they can overcome steeps odds and be the second team to make it out of the group of death. For those in the states, I don't get ESPN classic; which is why I wont be able to watch them take on the Dutch, but it will be broad casted. 

My Predictions? I am always the optimist, so I am going to say. France 2 - Italy 1 and Netherlands 2  Romania 0.  

 ~Tj