EURO 2008 Qualification
Oh yeah, that's how it's done. Well done, boys!
I have to say, I'm quite impressed with our boys. The first half was high-class football. Everything worked, from our defense, to midfield, to our strikers. I was very happy that Clemens Fritz and Bern Schneider seemed to have kept the connection they've built up during their time together in Leverkusen. Simple blind understanding. The goals were absolutely great as well, and I was quite happy for both Poldi and Balla that they scored. Balla seems to have gotten his mojo back, and Poldi really seems to be unimpressed with everything that's going on outside of the pitch. Well, yeah, and Schweini? Did what he usually does lately, and scored a goal as well.
Then, the second half. In the first 20 minutes, I really thought that someone had put the BVB spell over the boys. Nothing seemed to work anymore, Slovakia got really agressive, and their efforts were rewarded with a goal after a rather stupid mistake by Jens.
But the boys fought back, and I loved the communication that was going on between the players. Poldi's second goal was simply great, and I bow to Miro for being so so unselfish.
What made me sad was that the feared riots happened. Those are not fans. Those are idiots, and I agree with our captain. That's not us, and we have to let everyone know that a few idiots simply don't get it.
What made me happy was that Fritzi was a) a starter and b) played the whole distance. He seemed to be quite exhausted in the end, but yeah. As much as I like Marcell Jansen? Fritzi + Schnix = Whoa! It was also quite adorable that, when Schnix was tackled rather brutally, Fritzi was right there at his side. Also liked that about every German player touched Schnix when he was substituted. Yeah, much love there. Love the 4-1 victory as well. *nods* I'm really proud of our Mannschaft.
On a very, very different note. Portugal lost 1-2 to Poland. Should I be happy for Poland because Ebi Smolarek scored twice, or sad because Portugal lost? I really don't know. Same goes for Croatia vs England where Croatia won 2-0. I mean, I love the English team. I really do. But still, one of my favourite strikers plays for Croatia. Ah, well. Maybe I'd be happy for Croatia if Klasnic had scored.
Yeah, and then, there was the friendly match Switzerland vs Austria. Usually, you'd think, the Nati would win this in their sleep. Nuh-uh, they lost 1-2 to Austria. How the fuck did that happen?! I mean, seriously, guys. Even though I'm half-Austrian... Austria isn't able to play football by definition. And you lose?! Poor Philipp! Poor Alex! Poor Nati *hearts the boys*
Well, yeah. Metze's contract is ending with the end of the current season. So far, there were no talks about making a new contract, though Susi and Watzke are quite keen on keeping Metze. Good thing! We need him.
Thing is? Metze already thought about leaving Dortmund the last time the topic was on the table. Werder Bremen was very interested in signing him, but in the end, Metze stayed with us. It will be seven years next year when his contract ends. Seven years in which the BVB never gave up on him, went through hell with him when he was so gravely injured. Now, he's injured again, and it's time to sign a new contract.
The negotiations will be hard - Metze already announced that there won't be any funny business and that he and Watzke are planning on talking openly and honestly about his contract. I hope he remembers that he belongs with the BVB. I hope the BVB management won't make the same mistake the made when they let David Odonkor go. 'Cause, seriously, if Metze leaves? In one and a half years? Kehli's contract will end, and I have the feeling that Kehli would leave as well and follow Metze wherever that might be.
As you were, my bumblebees...
The Drow
I have to say, I'm quite impressed with our boys. The first half was high-class football. Everything worked, from our defense, to midfield, to our strikers. I was very happy that Clemens Fritz and Bern Schneider seemed to have kept the connection they've built up during their time together in Leverkusen. Simple blind understanding. The goals were absolutely great as well, and I was quite happy for both Poldi and Balla that they scored. Balla seems to have gotten his mojo back, and Poldi really seems to be unimpressed with everything that's going on outside of the pitch. Well, yeah, and Schweini? Did what he usually does lately, and scored a goal as well.
Then, the second half. In the first 20 minutes, I really thought that someone had put the BVB spell over the boys. Nothing seemed to work anymore, Slovakia got really agressive, and their efforts were rewarded with a goal after a rather stupid mistake by Jens.
But the boys fought back, and I loved the communication that was going on between the players. Poldi's second goal was simply great, and I bow to Miro for being so so unselfish.
What made me sad was that the feared riots happened. Those are not fans. Those are idiots, and I agree with our captain. That's not us, and we have to let everyone know that a few idiots simply don't get it.
What made me happy was that Fritzi was a) a starter and b) played the whole distance. He seemed to be quite exhausted in the end, but yeah. As much as I like Marcell Jansen? Fritzi + Schnix = Whoa! It was also quite adorable that, when Schnix was tackled rather brutally, Fritzi was right there at his side. Also liked that about every German player touched Schnix when he was substituted. Yeah, much love there. Love the 4-1 victory as well. *nods* I'm really proud of our Mannschaft.
On a very, very different note. Portugal lost 1-2 to Poland. Should I be happy for Poland because Ebi Smolarek scored twice, or sad because Portugal lost? I really don't know. Same goes for Croatia vs England where Croatia won 2-0. I mean, I love the English team. I really do. But still, one of my favourite strikers plays for Croatia. Ah, well. Maybe I'd be happy for Croatia if Klasnic had scored.
Yeah, and then, there was the friendly match Switzerland vs Austria. Usually, you'd think, the Nati would win this in their sleep. Nuh-uh, they lost 1-2 to Austria. How the fuck did that happen?! I mean, seriously, guys. Even though I'm half-Austrian... Austria isn't able to play football by definition. And you lose?! Poor Philipp! Poor Alex! Poor Nati *hearts the boys*
Well, yeah. Metze's contract is ending with the end of the current season. So far, there were no talks about making a new contract, though Susi and Watzke are quite keen on keeping Metze. Good thing! We need him.
Thing is? Metze already thought about leaving Dortmund the last time the topic was on the table. Werder Bremen was very interested in signing him, but in the end, Metze stayed with us. It will be seven years next year when his contract ends. Seven years in which the BVB never gave up on him, went through hell with him when he was so gravely injured. Now, he's injured again, and it's time to sign a new contract.
The negotiations will be hard - Metze already announced that there won't be any funny business and that he and Watzke are planning on talking openly and honestly about his contract. I hope he remembers that he belongs with the BVB. I hope the BVB management won't make the same mistake the made when they let David Odonkor go. 'Cause, seriously, if Metze leaves? In one and a half years? Kehli's contract will end, and I have the feeling that Kehli would leave as well and follow Metze wherever that might be.
As you were, my bumblebees...
The Drow