[CL matches 12/09]

Re: CL matches 12/09

The defence of Werder is not too strong nowadays and with 3rd choice keeper it'd be even more difficult for the visitors.

Just some words about Werder's keeper, Andreas Reinke. He's not wearing the No.1 shirt for fun, he was their No.1 choice for 2,5 years (after Rost went to Schalke). After a collision with a Stuttgart player last season, he suffered serious skull fractures and it was doubtful if he ever would be able to play football again. Werder then got Wiese as a replacement because they didn't want to have an inexperienced youth keeper in their goal for the rest of the season. Reinke was their goalie when they became german champs in 2004 and also was Kaiserslautern's keeper when they became champs in their 1st Bundesliga year after promotion in the mid 90's. He was never nominated for the national team, but still is one of the most consistent german keepers of the last decade, so he's definitely not your typical 3rd choice goalie.

[International Friendlies 15-16/8]

Re: International Friendlies 15-16/8 Hi, some thoughts on some of tonight's games: Ireland-Netherlands: 2 (2.20) Ireland are missing their "big" names Keane, Dunne and Given. NED don't have van Nistelrooij in but that only means Huntelaar can finally show how good he really is. Ireland always have been a tough team to beat at home but at prices around 2.20 and with all these missings I think it's worth more than a try. Norway-Brazil: 2 (2.00) Norway just sucks. The old days are gone, their defense is gone, no more Bratseth, Johnsen or Björnebye. They still rely on Solskjaer (60 years old) and Carew (only showed his skill in meaningless games) to score for them. Brazil, on the other side, got rid of the reason that prevented them from becoming World Champions again: Their so-called stars. All those big names that just carried their overpriced jerseys around are out, motivated (and talented) guys are in. Brazil traditionally performs bad up in the cold north, but with most of their players playing in colder regions (G.Silva, Lucio) and 4 of em actually playing in Russia, I don't think this will matter today. Germany-Sweden: 1 (1.65) No real reason for that, Germany will not be able to hold up the motivation they got in WC just like any other surprise team (Denmark 92, Bulgaria 94, Croatia 98, Turkey 02, Greece 04...) and they'll have a hard time actually qualifying for Euro08, but still this first friendly after their great WC success against a swedish team that doesn't really care for the game (big names rather prepare for the upcoming EPL), this might be another exhibition game to entertain the german "Poldi"-chanting masses. Italy-Croatia: 0 (3.20) Donadoni only invited one member of the WC team, and although the others should be motivated, it still doesn't mean they'll just win a game. Italy never just "wins a game", they try not to lose it. This won't change because these players are backups, they still want to show their individual class and for Italy, this means being a tactical player. Boring 0-0 or 1-1 (with Lucarelli scoring at home) all the way. Belgium-Kazakhstan: 1 (1.10) If you need a banker, here is it. Just mentioning it because theres another game with a big favorite (Lie-Swi), but I'd stay away from that one because "Big name vs weak name + away game + friendly = 0:0" (Spain yesterday...). So if you need one that _has to hit_, take "Big name vs weak name + home game + EC qualifier" ;)

[Germany vs USA]

Re: Germany vs USA Lo all, if you love football, ignore this game. If you want to make money, bet on Germany to win and nothing else. Why? Germany sucks. They have no confidence. Their GK fight Lehmann vs. Kahn makes both of them play bad because of the thought of not playing at the WC. Their defense consists of players even too bad for their clubs (Metzelder) and players who have barely played against good strikers (Mertesacker). Their midfield lives and dies by Ballack's form which is not very good because he's great when it comes to shining as part of a good team, but very bad when it comes to actually stepping up for the others. Schneider has been average ever since he came to Leverkusen, but as there are no better players, hes always in... and doesn't even have to prove himself as a player. The attackers... ok, you know what I want to say. Still, if there's one game these days that Germany wins, this is it. They showed vs Italy who they really are when opponents actually care. Critics started discussions about Klinsmanns methods, not showing up at WC work shops, not deciding about the keeper, bla bla. Even Chancelloress Merkel and almighty Franz B. (you might know him) talked to him and how important the next game (the USA one) will be for the whole nation, as a sign that Germany is a worthy host of the tournament. Klinsmann even arranged another friendly vs. mighty Liechtenstein right before the WC to make sure the team goes into it with high confidence (expecting a hard fought 2-1 win here). Having said that, there is no way the Germans do not win this game. Don't expect the young players to do their magic tricks again as seen in the Confed Cup tho. The USA had their real game vs. Poland some weeks ago, they know who they are, they know what they can do. This game will be downright ugly, but in the end, the Germans will get the win. If the US are up by halftime, expect them to bring in their U15 girls' squad for 2nd half just to make sure Germany actually scores. Not saying this is fixed or something but there will be ways to make sure the USA don't try too hard so that in the end, the German press and Beckenbauer can pat Klinsmann's shoulders again as if nothing bad ever happened.