Slipperduke
The Camden Cad
If you're a betting man you'll know that, during an international tournament, there are a few simple rules that will help protect your investment. Firstly, never back England, a nation of drunks who always choke under pressure. Secondly, always expect the home nation to outperform expectations because you can never under-estimate that feel-good factor. Thirdly, never write off the Germans.
Only one of those rules will apply this year. England's failures will be sunning themselves in Dubai and, for all their home advantages, Switzerland and Austria are so poor that they would never have managed to qualify for this tournament under their own steam. One of them may surf into the second stage on a wave of national pride, but anything more than that is out of the question. That just leaves those Germans.
Joachim Low was always said to be the tactical brains behind the Jurgen Klinsmann administration and, after the 2006 World Cup, he was given the chance to prove it in his own name. So far, it's going rather well. They qualified for Euro 2008 comfortably, though a couple of slack draws with Cyprus and Wales cost them top spot to the rickety Czech Republic. They may only have drawn this week with Belarus, but it's important to note that they were 2-0 up until Low made wholesale substitutions in order to preserve squad fitness. Pre-tournament friendlies are no barometer of success and you certainly won't see six second half changes if Germany are two goals to the good against Poland on June 8.
Low is blessed with strength in depth throughout his squad, but the first thing you'll notice when you see them play is how close the defensive line pushes up to the strikers. He likes his team to squeeze together in the middle to constrict the opposition and encourage short passing. Playing such a tight 4-4-2 does increase the risk of being caught on the break, but with Jens Lehmann as a sweeper/goalkeeper, it certainly keeps life interesting. With the twin towers of Miroslav Klose and Kevin Kurayni up front, there's an understandable emphasis on getting crosses in from the flanks, but if that doesn't work, keep an eye out for Lukas Podolski. He may have fallen out of favour at Bayern Munich, but with 25 goals in 47 games, he's not to be under-estimated.
In the centre of the park, Michael Ballack and Torsten Frings make up one of the most disciplined midfield partnerships in the game, comfortably managing to read each others movements in a way that Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard can only dream of. Ballack has been in scintillating form for Chelsea since returning for a long-term injury and this could be his final international tournament, so expect some lung-busting performances from him. What better way for him to bow out than by lifting the trophy in Vienna?
Germany are strong in every department and they're coached by a man with a growing reputation. The tournament is being held on their southern borders which means a nice short journey for their fans and...well...they're Germany, aren't they? They'll float into the tournament with everyone else tipping France or Italy, they'll breeze through their group, winning all their games by two goals, they'll dispose of whoever pops up in the quarter-finals and then suddenly we'll all slap our foreheads in surprise and say, "Gargh! Never write off the Germans!"
It's what they do.
Only one of those rules will apply this year. England's failures will be sunning themselves in Dubai and, for all their home advantages, Switzerland and Austria are so poor that they would never have managed to qualify for this tournament under their own steam. One of them may surf into the second stage on a wave of national pride, but anything more than that is out of the question. That just leaves those Germans.
Joachim Low was always said to be the tactical brains behind the Jurgen Klinsmann administration and, after the 2006 World Cup, he was given the chance to prove it in his own name. So far, it's going rather well. They qualified for Euro 2008 comfortably, though a couple of slack draws with Cyprus and Wales cost them top spot to the rickety Czech Republic. They may only have drawn this week with Belarus, but it's important to note that they were 2-0 up until Low made wholesale substitutions in order to preserve squad fitness. Pre-tournament friendlies are no barometer of success and you certainly won't see six second half changes if Germany are two goals to the good against Poland on June 8.
Low is blessed with strength in depth throughout his squad, but the first thing you'll notice when you see them play is how close the defensive line pushes up to the strikers. He likes his team to squeeze together in the middle to constrict the opposition and encourage short passing. Playing such a tight 4-4-2 does increase the risk of being caught on the break, but with Jens Lehmann as a sweeper/goalkeeper, it certainly keeps life interesting. With the twin towers of Miroslav Klose and Kevin Kurayni up front, there's an understandable emphasis on getting crosses in from the flanks, but if that doesn't work, keep an eye out for Lukas Podolski. He may have fallen out of favour at Bayern Munich, but with 25 goals in 47 games, he's not to be under-estimated.
In the centre of the park, Michael Ballack and Torsten Frings make up one of the most disciplined midfield partnerships in the game, comfortably managing to read each others movements in a way that Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard can only dream of. Ballack has been in scintillating form for Chelsea since returning for a long-term injury and this could be his final international tournament, so expect some lung-busting performances from him. What better way for him to bow out than by lifting the trophy in Vienna?
Germany are strong in every department and they're coached by a man with a growing reputation. The tournament is being held on their southern borders which means a nice short journey for their fans and...well...they're Germany, aren't they? They'll float into the tournament with everyone else tipping France or Italy, they'll breeze through their group, winning all their games by two goals, they'll dispose of whoever pops up in the quarter-finals and then suddenly we'll all slap our foreheads in surprise and say, "Gargh! Never write off the Germans!"
It's what they do.
