Comments on: Euro 2008 Semifinals Predictions

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:15:35 +0000

As Kartik pointed out, Germany is capable of scoring from midfield, but Portugal is even more capable of doing so with Ronaldo, Deco, Simao, Nani, Quaresma, Joao Moutinho, etc..Portugal’s wing play is superior to that of Germany and will be where they win this game.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:13:57 +0000

Betsy, as Kartik said, Podolski really struggled at Bayern Munich this season, I’m not really convinced by Gomez, Schweinsteiger is good, and Frings does shoot from long distance but that’s extremely hit-or-miss.

I’m not saying that those guys can’t score, I’m saying I don’t think they will with Portugal’s strength in the center of their defensive third. Ballack and Toni are a notch above the players you just mentioned and can score in a variety of ways, and if Germany does manage to score, it will be through one (or both) of those two.

By: Lonnie

Lonnie — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:52:02 +0000

IMHO, Podolski only “struggled” because Luca Toni soaked up most of his playing time. Podolski sat on the bench most of the season but when he did get some starts he did produce. He ended up with 5G and 4A from 8 starts and a bunch of second-half cameos.

The German midfield is going to be formidable and if Ballack stays healthy and in form there will be another source of goals.

I’m going to take an opportunity to give another plug to the Bundesliga. The Bundesliga will have the most players competing at the tournament with more than 50. The EPL and La Liga are a ways back with about 40 players. Serie A is contributing around 35 players.

This is based on a quick scan I did of final rosters on the UEFA.com site.

By: Kartik

Kartik — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:10:07 +0000

Gomez had a great Bundesliga season as well. Podolski struggled with Bayern, but Germany’s beauty is that they can score from midfield. I think Torsten “handball” Frings (I am an American) is potent going forward and on set pieces as is schweinsteiger.

Germany is the team to beat.

By: betsy's bolton bum baster

betsy's bolton bum baster — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:36:42 +0000

where will the goals come for germany? do you even watch football? lucas podolski led them in scoring, mario gomez had the 2nd most goals in the bundesliga while scoring in 6 of his first 9 caps for germany. bastian schweinsteiger ring a bell? torsten frings if a defensive midfielder but he can shoot from long range as well. they will miss bernd schneider on the right side of midfield but they are not lacking goal-scorers.