yesterday's games...
Austria vs Croatia: 0-1
(Modrić 4', pen)
Austria: Macho -
Proedl, Stranzl,
Pogatetz - Standfest, Aufhauser,
Säumel (Vastic, 61'), Gercaliu (Korkmaz, 69') - Harnik, Ivanschitz - Linz (Kienast, 74')
Croatia: Pletikosa - Ćorluka,
R. Kovać, Šimunić, Pranjić - Srna, Modrić, N. Kovać, Kranjčar (Knežević, 61') - Petrić (Budan, 72'), Olić (Vukojević, 82')
Despite the good first half against Germany, I was certain that Croatia would thrash Austria, simply because they have more individual quality and more experience when it comes to international tournaments. Yet, both teams proved me wrong. Croatia didn't dominate the game as I had expected them to. All they had were good ten minutes, during which Aufhauser caused that penalty against Olić (a correct decision, I think), and Modrić coolly sent the ball right into the middle of the goal, certain that Macho would jump to the side. After that, they merely defended the score and thus allowed Austria to get back into the game. During the rest of the first half, Harnik and Gercaliu were involved in almost all Austrian advances, and whereas Harnik was unlucky at first, he got better during the second half and sent in some good crosses. Unfortunately, the strikers wasted every single chance they had, and even though Austria would have deserved a draw for fighting their hearts out throughout the second half (especially after Linz's substitution), they probably wouldn't have been able to score even if they had stood in front of an empty goal with no defenders around them. I feel sorry for them, but at the same time, I'm convinced that they have more potential than they showed in this game. Particularly Pogatetz really needs to take some anger management classes, though. His second foul was a clear yellow, and he can thank the referee for being merciful (or for ignoring the fact that he's supposed to punish more quickly) and not sending him off. I definitely would have shown him the second yellow.
Germany vs Poland: 2-0
(Podolski 20', 72')
Germany: Lehmann - Lahm, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Jansen - Fritz (
Schweinsteiger, 55'), Frings, Ballack, Podolski - Klose (Kuranyi, 90+1'), Gomez (Hitzlsperger, 75')
Poland: Boruc - Wasilewski, Żewłakow, Bąk, Golański (Saganowski, 75') - Dudka,
Lewandowski - Łobodziński (Piszczek, 65'), Krzynówek -
Smolarek, Zurawski (Guerreiro, 46')
My team really surprised me in this match. I don't know how Jogi Löw did it, but this was a completely different team than the one during the qualification and the friendlies. Back then, they were almost frustrating to watch because they mostly hid behind their opponents and the player with the ball was the poorest bastard in the world because he didn't know where to pass it to. This time, he suddenly had several options because the whole team ran a lot, creating free spaces and bringing the game forward. There wasn't even any vertical passing in the defense! Germany soon dominated the game, but Poland didn't back down and let Germany play. They seemed determined to take revenge for the World Cup, and they showed it. All in all, I have to say that this game has been the most interesting one so far because both teams displayed ample effort until the end. And the goals were beautiful, too. Gomez passed to Klose from the midfield, and Miro could have tried to score himself but instead he crossed the ball over to a completely free Podolski, and Boruc didn't stand a chance. And later, Schweinsteiger tried to score with a volley shot, Boruc blocked the ball, Klose didn't catch it properly and sent it to Podolski, who slammed it against the back of the net a second time. The Polish football association must have been furious. ;) Poldi didn't really celebrate much, of course; I can guess how difficult it must be for him to score against a country where most of his relatives live. I'm so proud of him, he definitely was the best player on the pitch for me. Also, major compliments to Fritz and Jansen, who played awesomely as well. If they continue playing like that, we won't have any difficulties with this group.
I'm still on fic!hiatus, I just wanted to chuck those out before I forget all about them.
(Modrić 4', pen)
Austria: Macho -
Proedl, Stranzl,
Pogatetz - Standfest, Aufhauser,
Säumel (Vastic, 61'), Gercaliu (Korkmaz, 69') - Harnik, Ivanschitz - Linz (Kienast, 74')
Croatia: Pletikosa - Ćorluka,
R. Kovać, Šimunić, Pranjić - Srna, Modrić, N. Kovać, Kranjčar (Knežević, 61') - Petrić (Budan, 72'), Olić (Vukojević, 82')
Despite the good first half against Germany, I was certain that Croatia would thrash Austria, simply because they have more individual quality and more experience when it comes to international tournaments. Yet, both teams proved me wrong. Croatia didn't dominate the game as I had expected them to. All they had were good ten minutes, during which Aufhauser caused that penalty against Olić (a correct decision, I think), and Modrić coolly sent the ball right into the middle of the goal, certain that Macho would jump to the side. After that, they merely defended the score and thus allowed Austria to get back into the game. During the rest of the first half, Harnik and Gercaliu were involved in almost all Austrian advances, and whereas Harnik was unlucky at first, he got better during the second half and sent in some good crosses. Unfortunately, the strikers wasted every single chance they had, and even though Austria would have deserved a draw for fighting their hearts out throughout the second half (especially after Linz's substitution), they probably wouldn't have been able to score even if they had stood in front of an empty goal with no defenders around them. I feel sorry for them, but at the same time, I'm convinced that they have more potential than they showed in this game. Particularly Pogatetz really needs to take some anger management classes, though. His second foul was a clear yellow, and he can thank the referee for being merciful (or for ignoring the fact that he's supposed to punish more quickly) and not sending him off. I definitely would have shown him the second yellow.
Germany vs Poland: 2-0
(Podolski 20', 72')
Germany: Lehmann - Lahm, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Jansen - Fritz (
Schweinsteiger, 55'), Frings, Ballack, Podolski - Klose (Kuranyi, 90+1'), Gomez (Hitzlsperger, 75')
Poland: Boruc - Wasilewski, Żewłakow, Bąk, Golański (Saganowski, 75') - Dudka,
Lewandowski - Łobodziński (Piszczek, 65'), Krzynówek -
Smolarek, Zurawski (Guerreiro, 46')
My team really surprised me in this match. I don't know how Jogi Löw did it, but this was a completely different team than the one during the qualification and the friendlies. Back then, they were almost frustrating to watch because they mostly hid behind their opponents and the player with the ball was the poorest bastard in the world because he didn't know where to pass it to. This time, he suddenly had several options because the whole team ran a lot, creating free spaces and bringing the game forward. There wasn't even any vertical passing in the defense! Germany soon dominated the game, but Poland didn't back down and let Germany play. They seemed determined to take revenge for the World Cup, and they showed it. All in all, I have to say that this game has been the most interesting one so far because both teams displayed ample effort until the end. And the goals were beautiful, too. Gomez passed to Klose from the midfield, and Miro could have tried to score himself but instead he crossed the ball over to a completely free Podolski, and Boruc didn't stand a chance. And later, Schweinsteiger tried to score with a volley shot, Boruc blocked the ball, Klose didn't catch it properly and sent it to Podolski, who slammed it against the back of the net a second time. The Polish football association must have been furious. ;) Poldi didn't really celebrate much, of course; I can guess how difficult it must be for him to score against a country where most of his relatives live. I'm so proud of him, he definitely was the best player on the pitch for me. Also, major compliments to Fritz and Jansen, who played awesomely as well. If they continue playing like that, we won't have any difficulties with this group.
I'm still on fic!hiatus, I just wanted to chuck those out before I forget all about them.