Group A

[brehme1989]

Even if Germany suffers at back, they do not in the front, and Klinsmann knows both of this things. So he tries to bring the game in the opposition half and score as much as possible, as they'll concede some later on

Ecuador has won all of their home games in the South American qualification stages, including a 1-0 over Brazil, 5-2 over Paraguay and 2-0, last game, over Argentina. Away they simply choke! So, since the games are in neutral(and one away) ground, away from their fans, we shall see if they can compete with teams around their calibre, as Costa Rica and Poland are not much better or much worse than them...

Poland on the other hand, have good individuals. Kryznowek, Dudek, Zurawski, Smolarek and co might have a field day against Ecuador, but they shouldn't underestimate them...

 

[Zamat]

Yeah Lahm is an exceptional talent, I hope he can avoid serious injuries in the future.

 

[INTER_FAN]

I am a Die Hard German Fan, Not only cause my GF is german but since long time cause of the attitude of the german team, even thought this year I have a soft spot for italy, Brazil and Portugal due to Inter players

the game was good, the back 4 in Germany need to communicate much better in the following games, I dont see how Kahn would save any of those 2 goals but maybe he would force his defenders to listen better.

This German team is young comparing to previous years, so if they have the german spirit, u can always see germans playing badly and reaching the final

I wont watch Poland today, but Tomorrow there are two games for England and Argentina and Sunday i am glued to the tv

 

[Adriano@10]

dam these german team wants to reach the final???????
They re defende is not even good enoght to pass the group stage and also the mid and attack did not look that great against a realy bad and slow defending Costa rica

 

[Hammoudi]

I am a Die Hard German Fan, Not only cause my GF is german but since long time cause of the attitude of the german team

Raed, how dare you keep this secret that long? Man, this will erase all our disagreements and you officially rule :star:

So it's me, you and Ziyad (Marco as well, but he disappeared again.) Not bad!!!

Deutschland, Deutschland über alles, Über alles in der Welt

 

[brehme1989]

I'm a neutral

 

[Wittmann]

Good start for Germany, 2 spectacular goals..As everybody predicted Germany got their 1st three points and can be satisfied with the performance they put..the difference in quality was especially shown in number of goal atempts..21-4 I think..

Lahm and Klose were the best IMO, while Borowski was the weakest link in Geman squad..He looked very impressed with the happening and in occassiones lost on the field..With Ballack, team will gain much..

Lehmann recieved 2 goals, but none of them were his fault..defense certainly must improve if they think to achieve anything big this WC..

The second match doesn't interest me at all, I predict goalless draw..

 

[brehme1989]

Poland has players that can score from distance. Sobolewski, Zurawski, Szymkoviak, Kryznowek... Goals will come in the second half, when Poland will realise that they have to beat Eduador and Costa Rica to gain second place

 

[Gaetan]

What a start to the tournament! If you had told me that we'd see 6 goals on a World Cup opener consisting of Germany and Costa Rica I'd have laughed at you and called you all sorts of names.

I think Germany did okay, but in no way should they be "satisfied" with their performance. I see many flaws in their back four and think that a good midfield can really expose their lack of speed. I think their wingbacks are terrific and will cause havoc for the rest of the tournament, but the central pair of Metzelder and Mertesacker looked silly trying to put Wanchope on the off-side trap about 30 metres from goal. Match up man to man, for christ sake.

Ballack was obviously missing and Borowski looked rather sloppy, IMO. Probably just jitters from the World Cup, though. As I told one of my good friends before the tournament, I think this team could possibly go very far with such quality players like Lahm and Heinrich pushing the wings, and Ballack, Schweinstager and Podolski are so talented. Klose being the goal poacher, I reckon.

How weird is to see Lehmann as the keeper over Kahn?

 

[brehme1989]

Poland has players that can score from distance. Sobolewski, Zurawski, Szymkoviak, Kryznowek... Goals will come in the second half, when Poland will realise that they have to beat Eduador and Costa Rica to gain second place

GOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool Ecuador!!!!!!:boogy: :boogy:

Carlos Tenorio

(I meant Poland about goals in second half )

 

[Gaetan]

Poland will surely score if Ecuador are content to sit back like that for the next 45 minutes.

 

[Hammoudi]

Sebastian Kehl :heart: I was so glad he was picked, and I was gladder he played today. When he first emerged, I was a massive fan of his since he was dubbed the new Matthaus. And I was ecstatic when he chose Borussia over Bayern, but he has been plagued with injuries. I really thought he was finished.

He came on today and showed glimpses of what he can do. His commanding in the few balls he played was great to see. Same with Metzelder, I am glad he is back. Him and Kehl are one of my dear favourite players.

About the game, I think the German defence was okay. However, it was Fredrich that screwed up twice. I don't know what is wrong with him, he should poistion himself better. It was interesting that Owomoyela wasn't chosen, while he isn't as skilled as Fredrich, but he is more solid.

Lahm was a star today. If healthy, he can be the best LB in the world. He can do the job defensively and offensively, but unlike Cole and R Carlos, he is very comfortable playing with his right foot.

I was glad Germany did it without Ballack. I wish I was the coach, I'd bench that Abrahmovic doll and play Kehl-Frings in the middle with Schneider-Sweisteiger in front of them :lala:

 

[Enricos]

Poland will surely score if Ecuador are content to sit back like that for the next 45 minutes.

They hit them on the counterattack

Well yeah, an unexpected result, but Poland deserved more (they hit the woodwork twice)...

 

[brehme1989]

They scored alright Two times hit the post after losing by 2-0! Great game by Mendez, de la Cruz, Espinoza and Hurtado for Ecuador. Their keeper sucks though

 

[brehme1989]

Sebastian Kehl :heart: I was so glad he was picked, and I was gladder he played today. When he first emerged, I was a massive fan of his since he was dubbed the new Matthaus. And I was ecstatic when he chose Borussia over Bayern, but he has been plagued with injuries. I really thought he was finished.

He came on today and showed glimpses of what he can do. His commanding in the few balls he played was great to see. Same with Metzelder, I am glad he is back. Him and Kehl are one of my dear favourite players.

About the game, I think the German defence was okay. However, it was Fredrich that screwed up twice. I don't know what is wrong with him, he should poistion himself better. It was interesting that Owomoyela wasn't chosen, while he isn't as skilled as Fredrich, but he is more solid.

Lahm was a star today. If healthy, he can be the best LB in the world. He can do the job defensively and offensively, but unlike Cole and R Carlos, he is very comfortable playing with his right foot.

Agree on first part...

On highlighted part, it's maybe because both Roberto Carlos and Ashley Cole are left-footed and Lahm is right-footed :yawn:

And on the last, unquoted thing(about Ballack), this German thing took over you didn't it?:lala: Did you feel betrayed that he chose to leave Germany after declaring that he wanted to leave for a better league? That's why most Germans don't have him in high regards any more. I do have him in high regards as a player still, I feel he's one of the best, but as a person I do not know. Why go for the money and not for the glory? He could lead us or Real Madrid to trophies, but instead went to the Foreign Bank of England!!!!!:broken:

 

[brehme1989]

My prediction:
1) Germany
2) Costa Rica
3) Poland
4) Ecuador

One of Ecuador and Costa Rica will advance to the next round. I have this feeling that Poland will choke! Germany will get all points. If they don't, they cannot contend for the title

Seems like my prediction might come true:boogy:

 

[Miki]

Seems like my prediction might come true:boogy:

Your detailed description doesn't conform to the table; the latter describes Ecuador finishing last. So, where's the accuracy?

Ciao,
Tim

 

[Hammoudi]

To be honest, I didn't know much about Ecuador-Poland. But it turned out to be fun.

One person I know well is Carlos Tenorio (first goal scorer.) He played a season with my boyhood team in Saudi Arabia about 3 years ago. He was scoring right, left and center. He only spent a season there, but he is a legend with our fans (a soccer-sophisticated one nonetheless )

I know the Saudi league isn't much, but watching this guy score you can tell he will do it anywhere. A team from Qatar took him away because we can't financially compete with Qatar. He played well there but suffered a serious injury.

Great to see him score, and I hope he gets more attention and moves to Europe.

 

[Hammoudi]

And on the last, unquoted thing(about Ballack), this German thing took over you didn't it?:lala: Did you feel betrayed that he chose to leave Germany after declaring that he wanted to leave for a better league? That's why most Germans don't have him in high regards any more. :broken:

LOL Yuko, I care less if he stays or leaves Germany. It has more to do with Inter though. How perfect would he have been for us? Instead, and thanks to Abrahmobic, he took the easy way

I thought he was a leader and a guy that likes to tough it out. He will just be another doll in Chelsea where everything is easy.

Honestly, I hope he is out for the whole tournament. I believe Kehl can pull a Beckenbauer/Matthaus role and command the midfield. And with Schneider-Sweisteigher, that could just be enough.

 

[Ziyad]

Hamed u know i agree with u on the German team except on Ballak...Its good they won like this without him but he is a big plus in the midfield,whether in his play or command..Same with Kahn i believe.