What do you prefer? The Austerity Cup or the Bailout Bowl? I have heard them all and I am sure over the course of the next couple of hours, I will hear plenty more. And to be honest, what a complete waste of time. This is not a referendum on economic policy, but rather a match between two football teams trying to advance to the semi-final of Euro 2012. So let's get on with it.
Germany - Greece
Germany have been perfect thus far in Euro 2012, winning all three of their group matches by a solitary goal against Holland, Portugal and Denmark. While the German team are not playing with the same attacking flair as they exhibited during the World Cup in 2010 in South Africa, they are still one of the most talented attacking sides left in the tournament. Also, less we remind you, that they are also one of the youngest . . . cue the Oklahoma City Thunder - Miami Heat comparisons . . . and cut the cue because Greece clearly do not have the best player in the world in their squad, LeBron James.
Regardless the Germans will line up in a familiar 4-5-1, that fluctuates to a 4-3-3 depending on score and time. Mario Gomez will be asked to do the heavy lifting from the central forward position while Muller and Podolski attack from the wings. However, it has been reported that Joachim Low might opt to play Miroslav Klose in Mario Gomez's place as a tactical surprise. I am not sure I agree with changing a winning formula, but you cannot argue with either choice as both players are world-class. If there is a weakness in the German squad, it is probably a result of the two to three mental errors made by their back four. Furthermore, the longer the game continues without Germany scoring the first goal or grabbing the lead, the greater the chances are for a Greek upset.
Let's be honest, I am not impartial, I cannot deny that. I am first and foremost a proud Greek so while I try to be impartial in my writing it will never come across that way. Great, I am glad we got that out of the way.
This is going to be a tall task for Greece to pull off the upset against Germany. Without their influential captain Giorgos Karagounis to roam the middle of the park, it is widely expected that former AEK Athens player, Kostas Katsouranis, will captain the squad and play in the traditional Karagounis role. Without a doubt, the unfortunate and undeserved suspension of Karagounis will give Germany's creative midfield, led by the stylish Ozil, a distinct advantage to orchestrate Germany's attack.
Greece's gameplan is simple, defensive organization, counter-attacking football and more defensive organization. However, this is not the same group as Euro 2004. This team has more creativity and youth, especially along the backline, compared to its predecessors and also is not as reliant on set-pieces for goals. Did you know that Fernando Santos' men have scored in 11 of the 14 matches he has coached? And the remaining three games ended 0-0. Furthermore, Santos has only lost one game as the head coach, a 2-1 dismantling by the Czech Republic during the group stage.
The first twenty minutes of the game are key for Greece. If they are able to hold and maintain the German onslaught, the stress and tension will become more evident on the faces of the German players, and perhaps, just as against Russia, a mental mistake, one that we have mentioned above, will occur and Greece will score the opening goal.
At the same, I am realistic. I understand that by far the German team is more talented than their Greek opposition. While many of the Greek players do play their football outside of the Greek domestic league and actually with several strong teams, none of their players play for some of the world's leading clubs such as Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. However, what you cannot discount is the pride and passion the Greek team plays with. For whatever reason it may be, they truly leave everything on the pitch.
Maybe I am a fool, but whether it is an early birthday present or not, I think there will be something magical happening in Poland on Friday.
Germany - Greece (0-1)
OVERALL RECORD
11-14
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