Germany were the clear favorites for this game, and the fact that Turkey had nine players out through suspensions and injuries just boosted the Germans’ confidence. Germany got through by coming second in their group and beating Portugal convincingly in the quarter final, with Turkey crowned as comeback kings after winning their last two games in the final minutes of the match.
Much to everyone’s surprise, Turkey dominated the first twenty minutes, with lots of shots and crosses, and the German defense looked shaky, especially goal keeper Jens Lehmann who is usually very impressive.
Turkey got their just rewards when on the twenty second minute Ugur Boral scrambled the ball over the line after a Turkish shot had looped over Lehmann and hit the cross bar. It didn’t take long for the Germans to get back in the game though, a rapid counter attack found it’s way to Podolski who played a brilliant ball in to the box for Schweinsteiger to equalize just four minutes after the Turks’ goal.
The first half continued in the same way, with Turkey dominating, and they should have gone in to the changing rooms at half time leading by at least two or three goals, but German luck had kept them in the game.
In the second half, the game wasn’t quite as exciting, but on the seventy ninth minute, Germany looked like they had won it when a goal keeping error from Rustu allowed Klose to head Germany in to the lead. But, it didn’t really surprise anyone when Turkey scored on the eighty sixth minute to come back in the last five minutes for the third time in three games.
There was nothing the Turks could do to stop Phillip Lahm’s final minute effort though. A brilliant German move and a dinky one two in the box meant that the German left back could smash the ball in to the roof of the net for the Germans.
Overall, a very exciting game, and tournament over achievers Turkey are out, with Germany making it through to the final where they will play either Spain or Russia, depending on tomorrow’s result.
This was the first quarter final of the competition, with Portugal coming top of their group with six points. Germany, however, looked shaky in the group stages, coming second in their group after a disappointing loss to Croatia.
Portugal started well, playing good football, but neither team really pressed in the first ten minutes or so. The Portuguese started to find their feet, and created a good opportunity or two that could have been turned in. But then, as we’ve seen so many times in this competition, a quick counter attack led to the first goal. Bastian Schweinsteiger applied the final touch after a bursting run and a superb cross from Klose meant an easy tap in.
It was just four minutes later when the Germans doubled their lead. A free kick from the left side of the pitch had pin point accuracy, and poor defending from the Portuguese meant that Klose had a free header to score his first goal of the tournament.
After that Germany looked extremely likely to add a second, playing extremely good football in both attack and defense, although a couple of off side decisions meant they couldn’t add another goal in the first half.
Portugal, however, added a goal before the half time whistle was blown, Nuno Gomes adding the final touch from a rebound after Jens Lehmann saved Cristiano Ronaldo’s shot.
In the second half the Germans started the brighter team, with some more good attacking play leading to another goal, extremely similar to the second. A free kick from the left, to the back post, and a little push from Michael Ballack meant that he had a bit more room to apply the finishing touch, and it looked like there was no way back for Portugal.
The Portuguese then found some confidence, but they simply couldn’t get through the German defense until late in the second half, Nani crossing for Postiga to head the ball in, bringing the Portuguese within just one goal of the Germans, but they couldn’t do enough to win it.
This was a very exciting game, with Germany dominating for the majority of the ninety minutes, and although the score line flatters the Portuguese a bit, they go home with nothing to show for their efforts, and Germany go through clear favorites for the semi final they will play against either Croatia or Turkey.
Both teams went in to this game not knowing whether they would go through or not. Germany would get through with a draw, but Austria needed a win. Germany went in to this game missing Schweinsteiger after he foolishly got sent off in the last game against Croatia.
Germany started well, the men in white pressing on to the Austrian goal, keeping possession well and creating a couple of good opportunities where if the delivery had been a bit better they might have scored. The problem seemed to be that they were playing down the middle too much, when they should have tried to spread the ball wide.
Austria took control of the game after about twenty minutes, putting Germany under pressure for what was pretty much the rest of the first half. They had a couple of opportunities, and, unlike the Germans, were using the width well.
Although both teams played reasonably in their spells, Austria seemed to be on top, but the first half was fairly uninspiring and neither team created any opportunities where they should have scored.
In the second half the game immediately livened up and Germany were playing much better football. It was just four minutes after the second half started that Germany got a free kick and Chelsea midfield star Michael Ballack smashed the ball home from distance, leaving Macho, the Austrian goal keeper, with no chance.
As the game progressed Germany started to look more and more likely to win, with Austria only really getting ‘half chances’ and they failed to utilize these. Germany should have added a couple more goals to their tally, after good opportunities fell to Klose and Neuville, as well as a goal disallowed for off side, when it clearly wasn’t.
Overall a pretty poor game from both teams, and co hosts Austria leave the competition empty handed, although Germany will be happy they’re through.
