Continuity key to German success
June 24, 2008 at 10:02 am | In Germany | 3 CommentsTags: Azzurri, Germany, Joachim Low, Jurgen Klinsmann, Torsten Frings
Joachim Löw believes it speaks volumes for the “continuity and good work” of German football that the Mannschaft are the only team to reach the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2008™ having done likewise at the FIFA World Cup two years ago.
‘Very special’
Four European countries contested those last-four ties – Germany falling to eventual winners Italy and France defeating Portugal – yet only the ever-reliable Germans are still in contention here. Les Bleus failed even to progress from their group while the Azzurri lost their quarter-final to Spain and Portugal were beaten by Germany. Löw, a wily deputy to Jürgen Klinsmann in 2006, said: “For a coach, it is something very special to be in a semi-final with your team. You don’t experience this every day. We are the only side from the semi-finals in 2006 to have reached the semis here. That speaks for continuity and good work.”
‘We are in the final whoever wins’
June 24, 2008 at 9:57 am | In Germany, Turkey | 3 CommentsTags: Arne Friedrich, Association of Turkish Communities, Fan Mile, Fatih Terim, Germany, Hakan Balta, Hamit Altintop, Mehmet Scholl, Michael Wirtz. Kenan Kolat, Nuri Sahin, Sepp Pontiek, Turkey
Germany v Turkey may not appear a local derby, but in a way that is exactly what Wednesday’s UEFA EURO 2008™ semi-final in Basel resembles.
Strong ties
Around seven million foreign citizens live in Germany, and two million of them are Turkish, with 400,000 others having similar roots. In the 1960s the booming West German economy produced a labour shortage, prompting a stream of Turkish arrivals. In reverse, four million German tourists flock to Turkish beaches annually. Ties are strong between the two countries, but the relationship has not always been easy between communities, as is often the case with mass immigration. Things have changed for the better though in recent years. Third and fourth-generation Turkish-Germans have founded successful companies in their new home country, creating jobs and making an important contribution to the gross national product. Integration is now strong.
Mertesacker aims to go one better
June 24, 2008 at 9:25 am | In Germany | 1 CommentTags: Christoph Metzelder, Germany, Joachim Low, Torsten Frings, Turkey
Germany centre-back Per Mertesacker is eager to ensure his second appearance in a national-team semi-final is a successful one. Joachim Löw’s side must navigate a potentially hazardous last-four encounter with a Turkey team whose resilience has become their trademark at UEFA EURO 2008™.
Final destination
“I have now played 47 internationals and the match on Wednesday will be my second appearance in the semi-finals of a major tournament,” the 23-year-old Werder Bremen defender said. “Unfortunately, we were defeated by Italy at this stage in the 2006 [FIFA] World Cup. But this time, I definitely want to reach the final. And as part of the defence, I can play a very important role in that. I want my performance on Wednesday to justify my place in the starting eleven.”
Ballack books Germany’s place
June 16, 2008 at 9:47 pm | In Germany | Leave a CommentTags: Andreas Ivanschitz, Arne Friedrich, Deutschland, Erwin Hoffer, Germany, Gyorgy Garics, Jens Lehmann, Jurgen Macho, Lukas Podolski, Michael Ballack, Miroslav Klose
Germany captain Michael Ballack booked his side’s place in the UEFA EURO 2008™ quarter-finals with a thunderous free-kick, ending the hopes of Austria despite a valiant effort from the co-hosts in Vienna.
Clinical strike
To overtake their opponents and claim the runners-up spot in Group B, Austria needed to beat their neighbours – something they had not achieved since defeating West Germany in 1986. The home team enjoyed long periods of possession but, as in their February friendly loss in this stadium against the same opposition, were made to pay for a lack of a cutting edge up front – Ballack settling the contest in the 49th minute with a characteristically clinical set-piece. Coach Joachim Löw, who was sent to the stands with his Austria counterpart Josef Hickersberger just before half-time, can look forward to a quarter-final against Group A winners Portugal in Basel on Thursday.
Ballack calls for German passion play
June 16, 2008 at 5:36 pm | In Germany | Leave a CommentTags: captain, Deutschland, German, Germany, Michael Ballack
Michael Ballack is fully aware his nation’s hopes at UEFA EURO 2008™ are now riding on just 90 minutes as Germany prepare for an emotional derby clash with co-hosts Austria in their final Group B game on Monday.
‘Win every game’
Germany’s defeat by Croatia and Austria’s last-gasp penalty to snatch a draw against Poland last Thursday mean both sides can still join the Croats in the last eight with victory in Vienna. “There is no second round in the [UEFA] European Championship, but this match is like one,” said Ballack. “We now need to win every game. The right attitude and a great deal of passion are the basis for that.”
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