Euro 2008 Preview GROUP B

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GERMANY

Something strange is in the air - there's a German side which are actually entertaining to watch. For years, they played to their stereotype of being a well oiled machine whose efficient style created goals and had thebottle which the English could only dream of. Their last European Championships performance was dreadful - made to look fools against Latvia and humbled by a Czech reserves side. Something had to be done and Jurgen Klinsmann was the man. A successful World Cup campaign late and a developing team of attackers, it was felt natural to pass the baton to Klinsmann's assistant Joachim Low.

Some say Joachim Low was the factor - the real driving force behind the change and he's adopted in my opinion, the ideal structure at international level. Rarely are the players of Bayern and Schalke used in friendlies, they experiment and give players from the lesser teams an opportunity to shine. From this they have developed a pool of 40 players with international. Low recently fielded a 19 year old midfielder from second division Moenchengladbach, Marko Marin in their warm up friendly versus Belarus despite an impressive performance he just missed the cut. Gone this time out is Kahn (an influence which IMO often held back Germany and he's doing the same to Bayern now) and now the spotlight falls to Lehmann who has some Autumn days in his career to play out in Austria. The back four is possibly the best footballing back four in the competition. Per Mertesacker's value could rise tenfold - he's the latest non-flashy footballing centre-half they have produced. Lahm, the multi-footed full-back is looking for a move from Bayern and a good competition would see Barcelona come knocking.

Ballack still leads the team with an air of arrogance only a German can produce. He's obviously hurting from receiving another runners-up medal (he's known in Germany as 'The Runner-Up', he's lost in three finals for Bayer Leverkusen and lost a title on the last day of the season with Chelsea and Bayer). Frings, the steel alongside himself provides some decent shadowplay. The wingers could be any of the 4 - Rolfes, Borowski, Schweinsteiger and Trochowski. Schweinsteiger with his B List celebrity status in Germany has somewhat lost his way in recent times, Rolfes has taken on the challenge from there to stake a claim whilst Borowski is set to join Schweinsteiger at his club after the summer and a good few years service at Bayern.

Klose remains the Lineker of the team - work-rate nil, teamwork nil, goalscoring superb.The Germans approach to him has never been warm - his desire to celebrate his 5th goal against S.Arabia as much as a winner against Argentina leaves them cold. Podolski, one of the stars at WC2006 has also suffered a fall from grace - HE rejected a deal to Man City in January and was suggested to play for Bayern's reserves in the Third Division by their hierarchy (a certain Karl-Heinz,Franz and Uli). Mario Gomez and Kevin Kuranyi will look to snatch the spot alongside Klose. Games against Austria and Poland should see plenty of insults exchanged off the pitch and expect some tackles being given out from the opposition whilst the Germans don't see the fuss (the French and Dutch are their enemies). It's the most entertaining Germany side for years and the draw has been kind that it won't be until the semis that they face a team who will trouble them. Personally I am hoping for a repeat of the semi-final in Dortmund between Germany and Italy two years ago in this year's final.

SUPREME PERFORMER - Miroslav Klose
ONE TO WATCH - Per Mertesacker
WASTE OF SPACE - There isn't one..Oliver Neuville is in his late 30's and plays in the second division

Goalkeepers: Jens Lehmann (Arsenal), Robert Enke (Hanover 96), Rene Adler (Bayer Leverkusen)

Defenders: Christoph Metzelder (Real Madrid), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Marcell Jansen (Bayern Munich), Clemens Fritz (Werder Bremen), Heiko Westermann (Schalke 04)

Midfielders: Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Thomas Hitzlsperger (VfB Stuttgart), Simon Rolfes (Bayer Leverkusen), Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburg SV), Tim Borowski (Werder Bremen)

Forwards: David Odonkor (Real Betis), Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (Bayern Munich), Mario Gomez (VfB Stuttgart), Kevin Kuranyi (Schalke 04), Oliver Neuville (Borussia Moenchengladbach)

Fixtures
Day 2 - Sun 8 June - Poland - Klagenfurt - 1945
Thu 12 June - Croatia - Klagenfurt - 1700
Mon 16 June - Austria - Vienna - 1945

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POLAND

The only home nation left - not all is lost in England this summer whilst the public horses displaying the names 'The Red Lion' and 'The White Horse' struggle to fill their room, the newly-established Polish bars selling Lech and Tyskie shall be jam packed with football fans. This is Poland's first ever European Championship campaign surprising - even their greatest side of Boniek and Lato couldn't make it. An incredibly shrewd appointment in Leo Beenhaker has led them to this success. Despite an initial bad spell, their form picked up taking 4 points off Portugal and doing the double of Belgium.

Beenhaker has decided to go against the grain previously displayed by the Polish managers. Whereas before they would pick the journeymen who frequent the foreign leagues, Beenhaker picked out talents from a very poor Polish League. His ability to motivate and make them 'men' as seen the development of players such as Gargula, Lobodzinski and Zahorski. During this period:- Fabianski, Golanski, Wasilewski, Blaszczykowski and Matusiak have all earned big-money moves.

Poland's focal point is Ebi Smolarek, a little terrier of a player whose comfortable on the wing, upfront or attacking midfielder. He scored the goals when they mattered during the qualifying campaign and they will be looking for the same. Poland have always had a tradition of fine goalkeepers and all three chosen for the competition ply their trade on these isles. Boruc will start and his performance against Germany last World Cup was the sole highlight of that campaign.

The defence however remains slow and a weak point - any potent attack should get through and although Smolarek remains a nasty spike, the other strikers have never boasted any great form at international level. The midfield whilst not displaying the greatest attacking or creative nature is one of Poland's stronger points - Krzynowek recent transformation into a centre midfielder has been one of Beenhaker's golden touches, the same player also holds a bullet of a left boot. Lewandowski is an underrated player whose yet shine, he has the look of a total nutter yet could be accused of been a pussycat on the bigger stage. Blaszczykowski and Lobodzinski are both skillful wingers who in matches against Portugal showed they were at an ease playing at this level.

They could be this year's Greece or maybe just choke, they every other international competition they take part in. This is a Beenhaker side and if anything was learnt from his Trinidad days, don't expect his team to give up. (Giving up is a trait closely assigned to Poland - years and years of being trampled on take effect, it's no different politically to sporting matters). In that respect, there's a score to settle against Germany.

SUPREME PERFORMER - Artur Boruc
ONE TO WATCH - Jakub Blaszczykowski
WASTE OF SPACE - Maciej Zurawski (Past it)

Goalkeepers: Artur Boruc (Celtic), Tomasz Kuszczak (Manchester United), Lukasz Fabianski (Arsenal)

Defenders: Marcin Wasilewski (Anderlecht), Pawel Golanski (Steaua Bukarest), Mariusz Jop (FC Moscow), Jacek Bak (Austria Vienna), Michal Zewlakow (Olympiakos), Adam Kokoszka (Wisla Krakow), Jakub Wawrzyniak (Legia Warsaw), Dariusz Dudka (Wisla Krakow), Michal Pazdan (Gornik Zabrze)

Midfielders: Mariusz Lewandowski (Shakhtar Donetsk), Jakub Blaszczykowski (Borussia Dortmund), Rafal Murawski (Lech Poznan), Lukasz Gargula (GKS Belchatow), Jacek Krzynowek (VfL Wolfsburg), Roger Guerreiro (Legia Warsaw), Wojciech Lobodzinski (Wisla Krakow)

Forwards: Euzebiusz Smolarek (Racing Santander), Maciej Zurawski (Larissa), Marek Saganowski (Southampton), Tomasz Zahorski (Gornik Zabrze)

Fixtures
Sun 8 June - Germany - Klagenfurt - 1945
Thu 12 June - Austria - Vienna - 1945
Mon 16 June - Croatia - Klagenfurt - 1945

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CROATIA

This year's Dark Horses. Impressive against England in qualifying, an abrasive manager with a rugged charm and some magicians amongst the squad. I must admit I have some admiration for them and at 12/1, they are a tempting punt. They do seem to have the ability to self-destruct however - see their game against Australia in Germany but I do think with Bilic leading them, that part of the game has slowly evaporated. Their most under-rated quality is their team spirit - Croatia is a new country, their history would probably make a couple of chapters let alone a book. It's this which they gain strength from and now led by a Croatian legend in Bilic, there is enormous sense of pride. No gets an easy ride against the Croats.

One criticism they do have a slow defence to quote my brother they have 'the slowest Premiership player of all-time' in Corluka who is versatile but awkward. They are aging but have a clever part of their game. Robert Kovac and Dario Simic play for respectable clubs but most of the time, spend time there rooted to the bench. Their midfield however with a force to be reckoned with. Skillful players in Srna, Modric, Kranjcar, Leko and Rakitic. They look unhurried on the ball and use it to ultimate factor, dangerous with time and space, interesting under pressure and their technique superb - in full flight they are a sight to watch. Modric stoled the show at Wembley, his touch was beautiful and his passing a delight. Here's hoping he can do it in Austria. It's almost a disappoint that now he's moved to these isles, it's with Tottenham, I'd love to seen thousand of Geordies have a new hero in Luca Modric. Rakitic may cause some waves - a young starlet at one of the richest clubs in the World, Schalke. Despite a Swiss upbringing and youth caps aplenty, he decided on the appointment of Bilic that he much preferred the country of a family member's birth.

A big blow is the missing Eduardo Da Silva. He gave them a cutting edge during qualification which was highly profitable especially away from home. I do believe however that him missing will add to the team workrate but whether the goals come without him is debatable. Petric, his replacement despite looking a man possessed in the red and white of Croatia, didn't deliver this season when Dortmund needed him (when Frei of the Swiss was injured). Olic is a pacey, tall dangerous striker who could take the mantle instead and Klasnic whose in his final stages of recovery from a kidney transplant could also be Petric's strike partner.

One hopes it's the Croatia of 1996 which turned rather than that of 2006. If it clicks, they could be champions. If doesn't it could be an early exit (the Croatia FA have requested the Quarter-Finals) after the Poles humble them. Most definitely a interesting Eastern European enigma. For the record, they will have to where their second strip for every group fixture.

SUPREME PERFORMER - Niko Kovac
ONE TO WATCH - Luka Modric
WASTE OF SPACE - Nikola Kalinic - simply there for the experience. He's uncapped and the top goalscorer in the Croatia League with a superb record.

Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Spartak Moscow), Vedran Runje (Lens), Mario Galinovic (Panathinaikos)

Defenders: Vedran Corluka (Manchester City), Dario Simic (AC Milan), Robert Kovac (Borussia Dortmund), Josip Simunic (Hertha Berlin), Dario Knezevic (Livorno), Hrvoje Vejic (Tomsk), Danijel Pranjic (Heerenveen)

Midfielders: Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Niko Kovac (Red Bull Salzburg), Luka Modric (Tottenham), Niko Kranjcar (Portsmouth), Jerko Leko (AS Monaco), Ivan Rakitic (Schalke), Ognjen Vukojevic (Dinamo Bucharest), Nikola Pokrivac (AS Monaco)

Forwards: Mladen Petric (Borussia Dortmund), Ivica Olic (Hamburger SV), Ivan Klasnic (Werder Bremen), Igor Budan (Parma), Nikola Kalinic (Hajduk Split)

Fixtures
Sun 8 June - Austria - 1700 - Vienna
Thu 12 June - Germany - 1700 - Klagenfurt
Mon 16 June - Poland - 1945 - Klagenfurt

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AUSTRIA

The last time Austria qualified for a major international tournament was back in 1998. It's been a long wait and one which has only been stopped by their appeal as excellent hosts rather than football excellence. Really they shouldn't be here, their very own fans began a campaign to pull them out of the competition. That was their diehard support who had suffered poor qualifying campaign and scrappy wins versus the minnows of European football. I will take this opportunity to highlight once again Austria are poor - very poor.

They will however have that blind patriotic faith normally associated with one of the host nations. With all of their games scheduled in Vienna, they can expect the biggest crowds cheering them on (expect the German and Poland fans to possibly outnumber the Austrians in them fixtures, the black market will be thriving). Let's start off with making the connection with the British based players or formerly British based players. They have Alex Manninger in goal of former Arsenal Reserves fame who now plies his trade in Italy - he's often prone to the odd error. Emanuel Pogatetz of Middlesbrough leads the defence, a very basic, restricted defender who can often spring into rages of violence.

That's about it really - Ivanschitz will be cursing his nation of birth. A geniune talent who plays for Panathinaikos for any thing to happen, he has to be a part of it. He's an attacking midfielder, useful with both feet and some times captains his national team. He scored against England in a recent qualifier thanks to David James' remarkable goalkeeping skills. They do have the player with the most funniest name in the event - Christian Fuchs of Mattersburg can expect giggles across Europe at his surname. They also have the oldest players in the tournament - Ivica Vastic - at 38 years old. Martin Harnik could be dangerous but that's more association of club, you don't play for Werder Bremen for no particular reason. Expect plenty of huff and puff, a possible goal against the Poles, Germans and Croatia whilst saying how they have enjoyed their time Austria, hammer the national team with relative ease.

SUPREME PERFOMER - Andreas Ivanschitz
ONE TO WATCH - Martin Harnik
WASTE OF SPACE - I could be cruel and say the team but at 38, Ivica Vastic will strictly be a pinch-hitter.

Goalkeepers: Alex Manninger (AC Siena), Juergen Macho (AEK Athens), Ramazan Ozcan (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim)

Defenders: Gyorgy Garics (Napoli), Ronald Gercaliu (Austria Vienna), Martin Hiden (Kaernten), Markus Katzer (Rapid Vienna), Juergen Patocka (Rapid Vienna), Emanuel Pogatetz (Middlesbrough), Sebastian Proedl (Sturm Graz), Martin Stranzl (Spartak Moscow)

Midfielders: Rene Aufhauser (Salzburg), Christian Fuchs (Mattersburg), Andreas Ivanschitz (Panathinaikos), Umit Korkmaz (Rapid Vienna), Christoph Leitgeb (Salzburg), Juergen Saumel (Sturm Graz), Joachim Standfest (Austria Vienna), Ivica Vastic (LASK Linz)

Forwards: Martin Harnik (Werder Bremen), Erwin Hoffer (Rapid Vienna), Roman Kienast (Ham Kam), Roland Linz (Braga)

Fixtures
Sun 8 June - Croatia - 1700 - Vienna
Thu 12 June - Poland - 1945 - Vienna
Mon 16 June - Germany - 1945 - Vienna

[marron]

Jun 2, 2008 11:18:25 GMT @harry said:

Emanuel Pogatetz of Middlesbrough leads the defence, a very basic, restricted defender who can often spring into rages of violence.

Not the case - he has matured very well as a player for us over the last 2 seasons.

He has never 'sprung into a rage of violence' for us and since his first season with over here he has dramatically improved his disciplinary record. Fair enough, he had that horror tackle when in Austria but has not lost his head since.

I don't think he is restricted either - he has a good turn of pace, is good in the air and the timing of his tackles are exceptional.

All of what i have said is why he is our captain, a player who will lead by example on and off the pitch.

So where did you get your info from?