Euro 2008's First Real Upset

2008-09-10T06:59:51-04:00

2008-06-12T15:06:41-04:00

2008-09-10T06:38:35-04:00

2008-06-13T21:14:33-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/439/849/thumb/michael_ballack_tn.jpg 8 CA

PowerStats Online

San Diego 440289

You're right Gomez was awful. He had some nifty passes against Poland, but 3 offsides and 3 giveaways against Croatia. He and Ballack have to step up against Austria. 1978011

2008-06-13T13:24:01-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/423/970/thumb/l35ebdd4b0000_1_25404.jpg 847 DC

Bayern4Life (redux)

Washington 424410

MDZ, thanks for clearing that up for me. 1974256

2008-06-13T13:00:57-04:00

marazi

Park Ridge 135073

really proud to be croat, but must agree with aussie raider. croatia always seems to get up for the big games but fail to perform against poor teams. i just keep remembering when they played so well and fell short against brazil in the last world cup and then tied with Japan. the win against germany was exciting and showed off croatias talent to the world but im looking for a strong performance against poland as well. avoiding portugal is also very nice :-) 1974061

2008-06-13T12:30:22-04:00

MDZ

Chicago 440078

Goal difference isn't the first tie-breaker; head-to-head result is. The best Germany can do is be on level points with Croatia, but since Croatia beat them straight up, they win the group. See below: Should two teams from the same group finish with an equal number of points, they will be ranked based on the following criteria: Number of points earned in matches between the teams in question; Goal difference in matches between the teams in question (in cases where there are more than two teams equal on points); Goals scored in matches between the teams in question (in cases where there are more than two teams equal on points); Goal difference in all group matches; Goals scored in all group matches; In cases where exactly two teams are equal in all previously listed critera and play one another to a draw in their final group match, kicks from the penalty mark will be conducted in lieu of the remaining criteria; The number of points obtained by the teams in question divided by the number of matches played in the qualifying competitions for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2008; Fair play conduct of the teams in the group stage; Drawing of lots. 1973701

2008-06-13T12:09:44-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/423/970/thumb/l35ebdd4b0000_1_25404.jpg 847 DC

Bayern4Life (redux)

Washington 424410

Germany can still win the group on goal difference over Croatia if Poland beats the Croats and Germany beats Austria, depending on the score line. I don't know why people think that Croatia has already wrapped up the group. I am looking forward to playing the Croats in the semi's however. 1973362

2008-06-13T11:34:55-04:00

scottyheidelberg

Houston 439872

Djafez: Croatia were a better side yesterday than Germany was, but to say thay will never lose to Germany is ridiculous. I wouldn't bet on Croatia winning should they meet again. You'll be foolish if you do. 1972851

2008-06-13T09:00:52-04:00

puhlio

No City 440065

croatia doesn't need a tie on monday against poland to avoid portugal. they've already won group B... 1970334

2008-06-13T06:46:09-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/439/601/thumb/NL11.jpg 21 TN

Millen

Church Hill 440041

well done croatia!! they played very well, better than l have seen before, i didn??t expect them to play like this after their 3-0 loss against holland in the preparation towards euro 08 1969712

2008-06-13T03:00:13-04:00

Djafez

No City 439896

This was a done deal. Croatia have much better individuals then Germans. Croatia beat them in 98', they beat them yesterday and they will beat them in the future. Because Croatia is simply better team. I have put my money on Croatia and of course I won. Djafez 1969642

2008-06-13T01:47:39-04:00

Heidelberger SC

No City 439950

For the "purest" out there...after just one week of Euro's best futbol, several of the teams have displayed the art of counter attacking. Wahl hit the nail right on the head touching on Croatia's string of passes that lead to a 1-0 lead. Watch Holland's goals against Itlay, two very beautiful counter attck goals are for viewing in that game. What is perceived as a desparate attack to utilize against tired and week clubs, is seemingly the perfected mode of attack in this '08 Euro Cup. 1969539

Yowza—we finally have our first real upset of Euro 2008 (the Dutch win over Italy was only a stunner because of the 3-0 margin), and suddenly this tournament has a very different look to it. Three thoughts from Croatia’s 2-1 takedown of pre-tournament favorite Germany: • Can you say Portugal-Germany in the quarterfinals? It sure seems likely after today’s result. Portugal has already won Group A, and the Croatians can now avoid Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. in the quarters by getting at least a tie in their final group game against Poland. The Germans still have some work to do against Austria to clinch a knockout-round spot, but they can’t avoid Portugal if the Croatians can snag a tie on Monday. • Croatia’s first goal was an instant-classic teamwork strike. It wasn’t quite as lengthy as Argentina’s 24-pass buildup before scoring against Serbia in World Cup ’06, but Croatia’s first goal against Germany was a perfect example of the teamwork that can make this sport so great. From the moment Luka Modric won the ball in his own end, Croatia strung together 15 passes that involved every single one of its 10 field players before Danijel Pranjic hit a masterly cross onto the foot of Darijo Srna for the goal. You won’t see a more impressive 47 seconds of possession in this entire tournament—and the fact that it came against Germany only gives the Croatians bonus points. Go back and play this thing a few dozen times on your DVR and enjoy the magic. • The Euro’s first red card couldn’t have come at a worse time for Germany. Bastian Schweinsteiger’s stoppage-time red card (for a shove on Croatia’s Jerko Leko) was a harsh decision but a completely boneheaded move for the Melissa Etheridge look-alike to make. I was going to argue that Schweinsteiger should start in the next game, moving Lukas Podolski up front (in place of the massively disappointing Mario Gómez), but now the suspended Schweinsteiger won’t even be available for sub’s duty. If I’m Joachim Löw I’d still stick Kevin Kuranyi up top for Gómez and keep Podolski at left midfield. Through-balls: The most stunning part of the game (other than the result): the way Germany’s Michael Ballack was totally dominated by the Croatian midfielders ... Croatian coach Slaven Bilic’s decision to insert 20-year-old Ivan Rakitic at left midfield (for Mladen Petric) was an inspired choice. Rakitic was involved in both Croatian goals and showed a ton of confidence on the ball ... Nice to see Purina getting the most out of its sponsorship of the Croatian jersey ... Clemens Fritz and Marcell Jansen were a disaster on the German left side, failing to produce any offensive danger and giving up chance after chance on the defensive end ... Looks like Podolski (whose three goals tie him with Spain's David Villa atop the tournament) is the only German forward who came to play. Gómez and Miroslav Klose have really struggled. Post your thoughts below in the comments section, and come back later for reaction to Austria-Poland ... 1338 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/194/315/thumb/wahl_grant.jpg 11 MD

Grant Wahl

Baltimore 194615