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This sums up today's game very well.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/20 ... 10-germany

Seeing as I got yesterday's two spot-on, prediction: 3-1 to England.

Drico.

Fugitive1979 wrote:Paul, the psychic octopus, predicts German win.

Hehe ...

Drico One wrote:This sums up today's game very well.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/20 ... 10-germany

Seeing as I got yesterday's two spot-on, prediction: 3-1 to England.

Drico.

Good article and I hope your prediction is correct. I guess it depends on which England turns up this afternoon, though even then I'm not confident. I've been massively impressed with Germany so far - even against Serbia with 10 men they were the better side - and if Ozil gets the better of Gareth Barry then Germany will have the edge. I wish I didn't have an allegiance as it's likely to be a mouthwatering spectacle for a neutral. As it is, I'm incredibly nervous right now...

If England are any kind of team, they'll win. The Germans lack leadership and experience (average age is 24 versus 29 for England). They've lost (for one reason or another) Enke, Adler, Ballack, Rolfes, Westermann, and Schweinsteiger. Add to that the row that cost Torsten Frings his place, and the Germans are top heavy with youth and bereft of steel. That said, they're undeniably on the way up and have a huge future win or lose. They can certainly afford defeat more than England can, but this tournament was always too soon for them which is why most Germans are sanguine about today. They are there to learn, to be blooded in the cauldron of top-level tournament competition, and to gain the necessary experience to make them champions over the next cycle.

Capello was hired for exactly this kind of situation - and the Germans have an appalling record against the Italians. He'll know what to do. Furthermore, the German defence is porous. Mertesacker is a giraffe on ice, Badstuber is really a centre-half who has been played out of position all season, and Friedrich was never much cop in the first place and has just captained Hertha BSC to the worst season in their modern history.

Of course, this is all predicated on England's better players performing on the big stage and their lesser ones doing nothing idiotic. All things considered, I think they have one big performance in them. We'll learn a lot about the young Germans today.

Drico.

I see Schweinsteiger is playing. I doubt he's fit. Desperate gamble?

Drico.

Kris wrote:I wish I didn't have an allegiance as it's likely to be a mouthwatering spectacle for a neutral. As it is, I'm incredibly nervous right now...

Yes, I wish I was a neutral too. It's never fun watching England in tournament football.....

omg!

I'm sorry for England - that second goal was clear - but I'm delighted for Sepp Blatter, the corrupt little kleptocrat. He fobbed Ireland off with a friendly against Brazil and FIFA Fair Play platitudes, and dismissed calls for video technology. The lesson? Small countries don't matter. If the rules change because of today's incident, we'll see that confirmed. If they don't, he's even more a figure of effortless ridicule.

Drico.

PS Expect a soft English penno to "even things up".

He'll probably do a lapdance for Beckham as penance.

*edit* Hmm, I'd be ashamed of defending like this playing over the park. England had a free-kick on the edge of the German box, and Germany countered to score? Holy Moly. Where's Wayne Bridge?

What happens with England???!!!

What a f***???!!!

Of course, I sympathize with England, but with the defenders could not beat the Germans ...

No Parkol, England's Brave John Terry is a god-like figure who bestrides the international arena like a young Achilles.

I hope England will change the score... I really want it.

Well, I suppose that Germany might sneak a fifth.....

That octopus certainly knows his football.

Drico.

I remember how we lost Germans... But both games we would win, but...

I remember that proverb... Everyone plays football, but Germany only wins.