Comments on: Euro 2012 Group B Preview: Germany

By: MP

MP — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:52:31 +0000

Disagree on Holland. They will be younger and more athletic in the back. RvP and Huntelaar are both in great form. Strootman will push van Bommel or de Jong to the bench. They also open with Denmark, and I’m not sold on the Danes. Holland-Portugal in the third round of group games will likely be for a place in the knockout round.

By: molemaninthemorning

molemaninthemorning — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:09:17 +0000

Holland looks like the team to fall

Yup. Like I said yesterday, I think they’re bottom of the group. They missed their chance with this crop.

By: ar1186

ar1186 — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:54:07 +0000

Italy might be better than England going into the tournament. Buffon is still good, Pirlo is coming off one of his best seasons, Balotelli provides the ‘unknown’ factor, and there’s more stability in the overall set-up when compared to Hodgson’s team, whatever that may be.

By: ar1186

ar1186 — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:31:34 +0000

Holland looks like the team to fall – lots of big names competing over a few positions in attack, no great defenders in the squad, and both Sneijder and Robben are either tired or off their peak form. I could see them getting tripped up against Ronaldo, which would then put them in a tricky goal differential scenario against Denmark.

By: Scouser

Scouser — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:30:23 +0000

Have a lot of talent, no Domenech…

That’s their best change. What a fucking loon to not have Nasri on the 2010 WC squad.

By: HuskerDawg

HuskerDawg — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:27:56 +0000

Have a lot of talent, no Domenech…

Yes….and YES to the FUCKING YES. Crazy Ray is no more.

By: MP

MP — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:27:50 +0000

Spain still have plenty of quality. Weak at the back but their midfield is still unmatched. I agree that France is intriguing, but I can’t even bring England into the conversation.

1. Germany, 2. Spain, 3. Netherlands, 4. Everyone Else.

By: Ty Duffy

Ty Duffy — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:26:21 +0000

France could be dangerous. Can’t wait for their match against England.

Have a lot of talent, no Domenech…

By: Cheesus

Cheesus — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:25:33 +0000

France could be dangerous. Can’t wait for their match against England.

By: Ty Duffy

Ty Duffy — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:16:12 +0000

Not sold on Spain. If Germany or Holland falter, this tournament could get very interesting. Drops downhill sharply. Fourth/Fifth favorites are France and England.

By: HuskerDawg

HuskerDawg — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:10:17 +0000

They did, however, lose 2-1 to France in their most recent friendly.

Allez les bleus!!!

By: Scouser

Scouser — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:08:53 +0000

Great write up Duffy. Went back and read all your other ones.

Muller, Ozil, and Podolski is a frightening lineup for any opponent. Schweinsteiger is a straight up badass in that defensive midfield.

/where’s soused with his insulting rants like the ones he wrote for other countries?

By: Eric T0upal aka BrawnyTom

Eric T0upal aka BrawnyTom — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:07:39 +0000

Go Czech!

/drinks beer

By: tedkerwin

tedkerwin — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:00:50 +0000

I imagine I will be rooting for the Irish but expect nothing from them, after they lose I will pull for the Germans.

By: HuskerDawg

HuskerDawg — Wed, 23 May 2012 19:55:34 +0000

If they lose it’ll be a choke job. With Spain banged up, there isn’t another team that can match Germany.

By: geoffreyvs hired a PR firm to get his son's coach fired; now I'm running for Senate!

Wed, 23 May 2012 19:48:54 +0000

Mannschaft

Only the non-German speaking media say this but it is a great nickname. I’d actually bet on Germany winning but they have to get out of what is probably the toughest group first.

By: Babar 2.0

Babar 2.0 — Wed, 23 May 2012 19:44:39 +0000

A 996 Porsche? At least give me the 997, if you are not going to show the 991.

996′s were the low point in the 911′s.

By: molemaninthemorning

molemaninthemorning — Wed, 23 May 2012 19:39:57 +0000

I’d be more worried about the CL hangover if Robben were German. He can’t ruin their chances so they should be okay.

By: TimmyTheEnchanter

TimmyTheEnchanter — Wed, 23 May 2012 19:30:26 +0000

Nickname: Mannschaft

Doesn’t get old.

By: Der Kaiser

Der Kaiser — Wed, 23 May 2012 19:29:17 +0000

Confidence at an all-time low as a Bayern and German supporter. I’m predicting another finals appearance where we will yet again be the runners-up. Y’know, like we’ve been doing for past 10 years.