Germany still haven't lost a Euro match, qualifying or finals, since the final heartbreak in Vienna four long years ago. The latest of these many wins has been a 4-2 humbling of Greece, who seemed like making giant-killing a habit. Greece, having never lost a Euro knockout and having never beaten the efficient Germans, went into the game with nothing to lose. They came out with heads bowed, ruing their shaky second-half defence.
Six different people found the net on Friday night, five being splendid open-play goals and one neatly taken penalty. Germany pressed hard for nearly forty minutes before Lahm put the Mannschaft ahead. It stayed that way till half-time. After the break, Germany looked surprisingly sloppy, losing the ball easily and not winning tackles. Six minutes post the interval, Samaras pulled debt-ridden Greece level. That jolted Germany into action - they began attacking sharply again, and it wasn't long before Khedira restored Germany's lead. The match was only half over! The floodgates opened - Miro Klose headed in a simple one after the Greek goalkeeper came forward clumsily. Speaking of which, I doubt if he made a single clean catch, he always seemed to spill and then regain the ball. Newbie Marco Reus smashed one in after the keeper denied Klose and fell. It was all over for Greece, 4-1 down, but they managed to salvage a little pride towards the end. An unintentional Boateng handball gave Greece a penalty, coolly slotted home by Salpingidis. But the 'debt derby' had gone the way of favourite Germany. German Chancellor Angela Merkel watched with obvious pride.
Tonight Spain and France battle to face Portugal, and the lethal Ronaldo, in the first semifinal. Spain looked rather tentative in the group stage, a shadow of the dominant figure of the past four years. But this can change very quickly. France, having won the last six games between the two, will look to exploit the defensively weak Spaniards. They have in their ranks Ribery, who made the Champions League final with Bayern, and Nasri, English champions with Manchester City. Spain needs no introduction - just take a look at the Spanish players of Barcelona and there you are. Add to this an in-form Torres and the best goalie at the moment, Casillas, and you have a world-class team.
The great games we see all around may vanish next time round, as the next edition in France will welcome 24 teams, not 16. This will dilute the quality, no doubt, and will possibly mean a second group stage after the first.This clumsy format is Platini's brainchild.
Anyway, let us savour these mouth-watering clashes as they are around now. Happy watching.
Six different people found the net on Friday night, five being splendid open-play goals and one neatly taken penalty. Germany pressed hard for nearly forty minutes before Lahm put the Mannschaft ahead. It stayed that way till half-time. After the break, Germany looked surprisingly sloppy, losing the ball easily and not winning tackles. Six minutes post the interval, Samaras pulled debt-ridden Greece level. That jolted Germany into action - they began attacking sharply again, and it wasn't long before Khedira restored Germany's lead. The match was only half over! The floodgates opened - Miro Klose headed in a simple one after the Greek goalkeeper came forward clumsily. Speaking of which, I doubt if he made a single clean catch, he always seemed to spill and then regain the ball. Newbie Marco Reus smashed one in after the keeper denied Klose and fell. It was all over for Greece, 4-1 down, but they managed to salvage a little pride towards the end. An unintentional Boateng handball gave Greece a penalty, coolly slotted home by Salpingidis. But the 'debt derby' had gone the way of favourite Germany. German Chancellor Angela Merkel watched with obvious pride.
Tonight Spain and France battle to face Portugal, and the lethal Ronaldo, in the first semifinal. Spain looked rather tentative in the group stage, a shadow of the dominant figure of the past four years. But this can change very quickly. France, having won the last six games between the two, will look to exploit the defensively weak Spaniards. They have in their ranks Ribery, who made the Champions League final with Bayern, and Nasri, English champions with Manchester City. Spain needs no introduction - just take a look at the Spanish players of Barcelona and there you are. Add to this an in-form Torres and the best goalie at the moment, Casillas, and you have a world-class team.
The great games we see all around may vanish next time round, as the next edition in France will welcome 24 teams, not 16. This will dilute the quality, no doubt, and will possibly mean a second group stage after the first.This clumsy format is Platini's brainchild.
Anyway, let us savour these mouth-watering clashes as they are around now. Happy watching.
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