Euro 2008 finalists Germany will take on http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ukraine-c3032 on Saturday, June 9. It will be the second match from
Group B, which is arguably the toughest lot in the competition and includes the likes of Netherlands and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Denmark-c2884 apart from the two above mentioned teams.
Die Mannschaft are regarded by many as the favourites to win Euro 2012 along with the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011 and Netherlands. The DFB eleven had a sensational qualifying campaign as they won all ten games played in Group A.
Portugal, on the other hand, marginally ousted http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Norway-c2974 on goal difference to land a second place finish in Group H of the qualifying round. They won five of the eight games played, accumulating 16 points in total.
Germany
Joachim Low’s men have had a brilliant last two years after the disappointments in the Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/South-Africa-c757. The side has certainly taken great strides as a team and have now become one of the best units
in Europe.
Die Mannschaft have had their fair share of hiccups recently and the ‘favourites’ tag was dented when they lost 5-3 to a decent http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Switzerland-c3016 side last month in an international friendly. The display was uninspiring considering it
came from a team which is touted to lift the Euro 2012 crown.
Portugal
A Seleccao can be rightly labelled as the dark horses in the group. The side will be happy with the ‘underdog’ tag as many expect Germany and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Netherlands-c753 to qualify from Group B. The team has some world-class players and is capable
of beating any side in the competition on its day.
However, Portugal’s recent form has been far from impressive. The team has failed to win any of the three games played this year with the most recent being an embarrassing 3-1 loss at the hands of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Turkey-c3026 at home.
Team News
Germany have two injury concerns ahead of the opening game against Portugal. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bastian-Schweinsteiger-c7374 and Miroslav Klose have both been out with respective calf and thigh injuries. However, manager Joachim Low has insisted that the
duo will be fit before the game and will take part in the clash against the Portuguese side.
For A Seleccao, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nani-c27299 was a major doubt for the Germany game after he suffered a foot injury in the 3-1 loss to Turkey last week. But it is understood that the Manchester United winger has resumed training and will be returning
to full training soon.
Players to watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Miroslav-Klose-c26049
The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lazio-c39775 striker has always been an important player for the national team in major tournaments. He is the player Joachim Low can rely on to lead the attack and there will be great expectations from the 33-year old. The Polish
born striker is currently just five short of Gerd Muller’s record of 68 goals for Die Mannschaft.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cristiano-Ronaldo-c9629
The Real Madrid man is certainly the player who will have a great impact on the game. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ronaldo-c31734 is coming from a sensational season with Los Blancos, scoring a staggering 60 times in the 55 games played in all competitions. The player
will be looking to emulate his club form for the national side in the European championship.
Prediction
Both sides look very strong on paper and have some world-class players, who are capable of changing the game on its head. Die Mannschaft have been brilliant throughout the last two years of their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign but
A Seleccao have had a few slip-ups in the process.
Joachim Low’s side has the edge as they have a great combination of young and experienced players and have proved themselves time and again that they have the potential to challenge for a major trophy.
Verdict: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Germany-c2904 3-1 Portugal
Tags: