Day 22 (1st and 2nd quarter finale)
Germany - Argentina 1:1 AET, 5:3 on penalties
What a match ! It was agressive in the beginning, agressive in the middle and agressive at the end. But it wasn't a match with many opportunities to score. We were attacking the opponent when he got the ball, later we were attacked by the argentinian players. Most of the first half the ball was played in the midfield, so nothing spectacular happened. The second half started with a shock for all german fans. It was Ayala who scored after a corner by Riquelme. Maybe the argentinian coach thought this was enough, he substituted Riquelme and Crespo, the goalkeeper was substituted, too, because he was injured after a collision with Klose. After these substitutions Argentina played defensive, that was our luck. Odonkor and Neuville were send in for Germany and Argentina was in trouble. But our defensive wasn't concentrated enough, fortunately nothing happens after some faults. Finally Klose scored ten minutes before the match would end, only 5 more goals to beat Ronaldo´s record. But that also meant extra-time ! Germany dominated the first half of it, Argentina the second, but no goals were scored, the penalty shoot-out had to follow. No, that's not good for my nerves, just look:
Neuville (Germany) shoots and scores - 2:1
Cruz (Argentina) shoots and scores - 2:2
Ballack shoots and scores - 3:2
Ayala shoots - saved by Lehmann !
Podolski shoots and scores - 4:2
Maxi Rodriguez shoots and scores - 4:3
Borowski shoots and scores - 5:3
Cambiasso shoots - saved by Lehmann, Germany reaches the next round !
Italy - Ukraine 3:0
Italy was the big favourite and played as one, Zambrotta scored after 6 minutes. Ukraine didn't play well, only a few offensive activities could be seen. Italy was looking for counter-attacks and the match was getting slower, but Italy totally controlled the situation. The Uktraine was totally exchanged in the beginning of the second half and got some good chances to score. But Italy strikes back and Luca Toni scored after a cross by Totti, 2-0. Ten minutes later Luca Toni scored again after a pass by Zambrotta. The Ukraine still wanted to score, but they weren't succesful in the last minutes.
Fixture in half finale:
Germany - Italy
What a match ! It was agressive in the beginning, agressive in the middle and agressive at the end. But it wasn't a match with many opportunities to score. We were attacking the opponent when he got the ball, later we were attacked by the argentinian players. Most of the first half the ball was played in the midfield, so nothing spectacular happened. The second half started with a shock for all german fans. It was Ayala who scored after a corner by Riquelme. Maybe the argentinian coach thought this was enough, he substituted Riquelme and Crespo, the goalkeeper was substituted, too, because he was injured after a collision with Klose. After these substitutions Argentina played defensive, that was our luck. Odonkor and Neuville were send in for Germany and Argentina was in trouble. But our defensive wasn't concentrated enough, fortunately nothing happens after some faults. Finally Klose scored ten minutes before the match would end, only 5 more goals to beat Ronaldo´s record. But that also meant extra-time ! Germany dominated the first half of it, Argentina the second, but no goals were scored, the penalty shoot-out had to follow. No, that's not good for my nerves, just look:
Neuville (Germany) shoots and scores - 2:1
Cruz (Argentina) shoots and scores - 2:2
Ballack shoots and scores - 3:2
Ayala shoots - saved by Lehmann !
Podolski shoots and scores - 4:2
Maxi Rodriguez shoots and scores - 4:3
Borowski shoots and scores - 5:3
Cambiasso shoots - saved by Lehmann, Germany reaches the next round !
Italy - Ukraine 3:0
Italy was the big favourite and played as one, Zambrotta scored after 6 minutes. Ukraine didn't play well, only a few offensive activities could be seen. Italy was looking for counter-attacks and the match was getting slower, but Italy totally controlled the situation. The Uktraine was totally exchanged in the beginning of the second half and got some good chances to score. But Italy strikes back and Luca Toni scored after a cross by Totti, 2-0. Ten minutes later Luca Toni scored again after a pass by Zambrotta. The Ukraine still wanted to score, but they weren't succesful in the last minutes.
Fixture in half finale:
Germany - Italy