Euro 08 Qualifier: Germany 6 - 0 San Marino

[Oliver_Kahn]

Ballack back in Germany squad


Germany coach Joachim Löw has called up captain Michael Ballack for next month's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers against San Marino and Slovakia.

Welcomed back
The Chelsea FC midfielder missed the end of the Premiership season after surgery on his left ankle and, although he has been named in the 21-man party to play San Marino in Nuremberg on 2 June and Slovakia in Hamburg four days later, it is not yet clear if the 30-year-old will be fit to participate. "Michael wants to play, at least in the second match, but we will take no risks," said Löw. VfB Stuttgart forward Mario Gomez and Hamburger SV midfielder Piotr Trochowski also return after injury while rising stars Gonzalo Castro, Simon Rolfes, Roberto Hilbert and Patrick Helmes are selected as well. Germany, leading Group D with 13 points from five matches, are without Bastian Schweinsteiger, Lukas Podolski, Tim Borowski and Oliver Neuville due to long-term injuries and Hertha BSC Berlin captain Arne Friedrich has been omitted because of a persistent knee complaint.

Germany squad
Goalkeepers: Jens Lehmann (Arsenal FC), Timo Hildebrand (VfB Stuttgart).

Defenders: Gonzalo Castro (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Manuel Friedrich (1. FSV Mainz 05), Clemens Fritz (Werder Bremen), Marcell Jansen (VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach), Philipp Lahm (FC Bayern München), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Christoph Metzelder (BV Borussia Dortmund).

Midfielders: Michael Ballack (Chelsea FC), Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen), Roberto Hilbert (VfB Stuttgart), Thomas Hitzlsperger (VfB Stuttgart), Simon Rolfes (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Jan Schlaudraff (TSV Alemannia Aachen), Bernd Schneider (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburger SV).

Forwards: Mario Gomez (VfB Stuttgart), Patrick Helmes (1. FC Köln), Miroslav Klose (Werder Bremen), Kevin Kuranyi (FC Schalke 04).

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[Oliver_Kahn]

Germany beat San Marino 13-0 a few months back, this one should also be an easy match.

[jec1]

4-0 Germany

San Marino has a long way to go to be a powerhouse.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Germany's XI, should be:

.....................Lehmann
Lahm....Metzelder...Mertesacker....Jansen
...............Frings............Ballack
Schneider.............................Hitzlsperger
................Klose....Kuranyi

[jec1]

No chance, look at that lineup.

[Sami_Khedira]

I´m glad to see Gonzalo Castro is back in A-business, he´s a major talent, same goes for Helmes, Gomez and Hilbert 8) . Trochowski, Friedrich and Schlaudraff...well they are still there and nobody knows why it is

Hahaha Phil is the ONLY Bayern player in the squad this time


Anyway ,my team would be:

-------Hildebrand--------------
-------Merte---Metze-----------
-Lahm------------------Jansen--
------Frings------------------
-Schneider-----Ballack----Hilbert-
-----Klose-------Kuranyi-------

No big surprises actually, if Ballack isn´t fit I would prefer Castro to start on the side on experienced Frings. Hilde can play that match, cuz it will be boring for our GK in either way. Lehmann already enjoyed boredom a lot in the first match against SMN, so its Timo´s turn now We don´t need to play with a 4-4-2 system, two def should be veeery enough for defence. I hope for Klose playing with anger and freeing his mind about the last sh!t weeks with a couple of goals. But for the rest of the team scoring will be easy peasy as well, when the first goals were scored.

I do not believe it but I´m waiting for the record (13-0) to be broken there. Hey c´mon, we are at homeground at least

[jec1]

Welcome Sami -- I agree, Klose looks hungry and if he wants to prove himself then this is the perfect Game to do it.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Originally Posted by Sami_Khedira

I´m glad to see Gonzalo Castro is back in A-business, he´s a major talent, same goes for Helmes, Gomez and Hilbert 8) . Trochowski, Friedrich and Schlaudraff...well they are still there and nobody knows why it is

Castro is one major talent in the bundesliga, I rate him as high as Jansen.
Helmes will play for Leverkusen in 2008, I'm really looking forward to seeing his partnership with Kiesling, both very good young strikers.
Gomez is a great target man, definately a good choice there by Low.
I agree on M.Friedrich, he is nothing special and he hasn't been exactly great this season. Schlaudraff is called because of his "name" and because he is a Bayern player now.
Troche is a good winger, he is similar to Schweini in a way, so he can be option.

Originally Posted by Sami_Khedira

Hahaha Phil is the ONLY Bayern player in the squad this time


Anyway ,my team would be:

-------Hildebrand--------------
-------Merte---Metze-----------
-Lahm------------------Jansen--
------Frings------------------
-Schneider-----Ballack----Hilbert-
-----Klose-------Kuranyi-------

No big surprises actually, if Ballack isn´t fit I would prefer Castro to start on the side on experienced Frings. Hilde can play that match, cuz it will be boring for our GK in either way. Lehmann already enjoyed boredom a lot in the first match against SMN, so its Timo´s turn now We don´t need to play with a 4-4-2 system, two def should be veeery enough for defence. I hope for Klose playing with anger and freeing his mind about the last sh!t weeks with a couple of goals. But for the rest of the team scoring will be easy peasy as well, when the first goals were scored.

Hitz is on fire, he should start imo. Hilbert is a good option to come off the bench, as he is a quick winger with very good crossing skills.
I agree on giving Timo a chance to be a spectador, but I think Lehmann will start. If Castro played in midfield, Germany would lack some creativity in there, if you want to bench Ballack, then Hitz should play in there instead.

Originally Posted by Sami_Khedira

I do not believe it but I´m waiting for the record (13-0) to be broken there. Hey c´mon, we are at homeground at least

Goop point there actually on Germany playing at home, but I'm sure San Marino will be extra defensive since they have on their minds the 13-0 loss a few months back.


Anyway, welcome to TalkSoccer mate.

[Sami_Khedira]

Originally Posted by Oliver_Kahn

Castro is one major talent in the bundesliga, I rate him as high as Jansen.
Helmes will play for Leverkusen in 2008, I'm really looking forward to seeing his partnership with Kiesling, both very good young strikers.

Yeah Castro is one of my faves, such a talented lad. Not to forget he´s only 19 and played already his second season and senior NT, brilliant. I´m glad Spain screw it up with him, so he had made up his mind and choose us. Thanks again Spain
Helmes I also rate higly I mean he was injured a long time but scored nonetheless 14 goals in 19 matches, thats awesome. Now imagine what would have happen if he had a full injury-free season...Yeah it was "just" second BuLi but still, major striking talent. Kies disappointed me a bit, weak seson at all, hope he´ll do better the next. Anyway I think those strikers Löw had called up now could be the right ones for Euro as well (+ Poldi of course ). Just no more Hanke please

Originally Posted by Oliver_Kahn

I agree on M.Friedrich, he is nothing special and he hasn't been exactly great this season. Schlaudraff is called because of his "name" and because he is a Bayern player now.
Troche is a good winger, he is similar to Schweini in a way, so he can be option.

I would have loved to see Tasci here instead of M. Friedrich, cuz Serdar is much like Mertesacker...so young but got such an old handed, calm defending style, woow. So now he has to wait til the England match, cuz his first call up is just a matter of time anymore. Same goes for Khedira, whom I call the little Ballack cuz he reminds me with his elegant playing style a lot on Micha though. I don´t understand Schlaudraffs call up, he´s such a gifted player, but like the most of such veery low character plus he played numerous awful games. Undeserved.
I actually like Troche, another technical very gifted player but he doesn´t played enough to have the rights for a call up....well well thx to good old Jogi he´s allowed to warm the bench for Germany too, not only for HxV

Hitz is on fire, he should start imo. Hilbert is a good option to come off the bench, as he is a quick winger with very good crossing skills.
I agree on giving Timo a chance to be a spectador, but I think Lehmann will start. If Castro played in midfield, Germany would lack some creativity in there, if you want to bench Ballack, then Hitz should play in there instead.

Well I do think Hitz will start first but for that rather easy match i think its the best opportunity to give such a young player like Hilbert a chance. Plus Hilbert is on fire as well Castro is actually a better MF-player than as a RB imo, he creates lots of beauty passes and chances for others, have it seen many times in his matches for the U21. Also in such a match (if Ballack is not fit) it would be a great chance for him to learn and grow on Frings and Schneiders side. So I would choose Castro first. Hitz can play the second half....

Originally Posted by Oliver_Kahn

Good point there actually on Germany playing at home, but I'm sure San Marino will be extra defensive since they have on their minds the 13-0 loss a few months back.


Anyway, welcome to TalkSoccer mate.

Yah sure but if we can crack up the Czech defense easily, it should be much more easy peasy to that minnor. I´m aware of their 11-0-0 system but as soon the first goals are scored, the goal fest begins- I´m sure about it 8) Don´t forget the "german wall" is never satisfied and will push our boys 90+ minutes to score more and more...

The only thing I´m worry about is how the condition of our players is after such a long season...we´d seen it against Cyprus Nah but I´m sure Jogi gets them really motivated plus its a true pleasure for them again to play for Germany. You can see this in every move on the pitch and I´m simply loving it ^^

Thanks for the welcome, mate 8)

[Oliver_Kahn]

Germany coach Joachim Low will not be able to call on the services of skipper Michael Ballack for the upcoming two Euro 2008 qualifiers.

The Chelsea midfielder is still well short of fitness having been forced to undergo an operation on the ankle he injured against Newcastle on 22nd April.

Ballack was forced to sit out Chelsea's FA Cup final win over Manchester United and the qualifiers with San Marino on 2nd June and Slovakia four days later will come too soon for the midfielder.

The German FA (DFB) confirmed Ballack's absence on their website and added Low would not be calling up a replacement.

Ballack will nevertheless travel to Germany's training camp in Herzogenaurach in order to continue his rehabilitation programme under the guidance of DFB physician Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt.

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[Oliver_Kahn]

Originally Posted by Sami_Khedira

Yeah Castro is one of my faves, such a talented lad. Not to forget he´s only 19 and played already his second season and senior NT, brilliant. I´m glad Spain screw it up with him, so he had made up his mind and choose us. Thanks again Spain
Helmes I also rate higly I mean he was injured a long time but scored nonetheless 14 goals in 19 matches, thats awesome. Now imagine what would have happen if he had a full injury-free season...Yeah it was "just" second BuLi but still, major striking talent. Kies disappointed me a bit, weak seson at all, hope he´ll do better the next. Anyway I think those strikers Löw had called up now could be the right ones for Euro as well (+ Poldi of course ). Just no more Hanke please

Spain lost big time on Castro, he is very good.
Helmes did well with Koln this season and I recall that he was one of the best players against Denmark, so he is definately one to keep an eye on for the future.
Kiessling was indeed a bit disappointing, but I'm sure that he has what it takes to be a class striker, when I remenber his goal against Schalke...pure genius.
Besides these 4 that have been called up and Podolski, Asamoah could be considered as well ?

Originally Posted by Sami_Khedira

I would have loved to see Tasci here instead of M. Friedrich, cuz Serdar is much like Mertesacker...so young but got such an old handed, calm defending style, woow. So now he has to wait til the England match, cuz his first call up is just a matter of time anymore. Same goes for Khedira, whom I call the little Ballack cuz he reminds me with his elegant playing style a lot on Micha though. I don´t understand Schlaudraffs call up, he´s such a gifted player, but like the most of such veery low character plus he played numerous awful games. Undeserved.
I actually like Troche, another technical very gifted player but he doesn´t played enough to have the rights for a call up....well well thx to good old Jogi he´s allowed to warm the bench for Germany too, not only for HxV

I've only read reviews of Tasci, I've never seen him play (I don't have Bundesliga matches on Tv here in Portugal ), so I'll trust your opinion of him.
Khedira seems to be good from what I've seen of him, so he will get a call soon.
Schlaudraff is a good forward, so quick and awsome dribbling, but I agree on his character and work ethics, I hope Hitzfeld can change that.
Troche can perform very well if given the chance to, so I think he is a good option to have on the bench.

Originally Posted by Sami_Khedira

Well I do think Hitz will start first but for that rather easy match i think its the best opportunity to give such a young player like Hilbert a chance. Plus Hilbert is on fire as well Castro is actually a better MF-player than as a RB imo, he creates lots of beauty passes and chances for others, have it seen many times in his matches for the U21. Also in such a match (if Ballack is not fit) it would be a great chance for him to learn and grow on Frings and Schneiders side. So I would choose Castro first. Hitz can play the second half....

I knew that Castro was primarly a midfielder, but he has been playing as RB for Leverkusen this season I think, so that is probably where he will play if Low gives him some minutes.
I agree on the youngsters developing more if they play with the more experienced players like Torsten or Bernd, but I think players like Hitz should start first with the youngsters playing the 2nd half.

Ballack is out, I wonder who will Low start instead, maybe Hilbert on the wing, with Hitz in the centre alongside Frings ?

Originally Posted by Sami_Khedira

Yah sure but if we can crack up the Czech defense easily, it should be much more easy peasy to that minnor. I´m aware of their 11-0-0 system but as soon the first goals are scored, the goal fest begins- I´m sure about it 8) Don´t forget the "german wall" is never satisfied and will push our boys 90+ minutes to score more and more...

The only thing I´m worry about is how the condition of our players is after such a long season...we´d seen it against Cyprus Nah but I´m sure Jogi gets them really motivated plus its a true pleasure for them again to play for Germany. You can see this in every move on the pitch and I´m simply loving it ^^

Thanks for the welcome, mate 8)

11-0-0 system
Germany need to put pressure on San Marino's defence right from the start and they'll get an early goal, after that it will be a lot easier to crush them.

The game against Cyprus...that was disappointing, although I would blame Timo for the blunder, rather the players condition.
We can consider the players' condition at this stage of the season, but the Germans have always had a fighting spirit, they never quit and give everything they have, as they are aware of the importance of this match, I'm sure that they will rise to occasion.

Good to have you here mate

[Oliver_Kahn]

Germany boss Joachim Low has told his team they must stay fully focused for their upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers.

Germany are currently level with Czech Republic and Republic of Ireland at the top of Group D, and will be expecting to take all six points against San Marino and Slovakia to round off the season.

However, Low wants to make sure his players are not taking anything for granted.

"We are not preparing ourselves for holidays, but for two important Euro 2008 qualifiers," he told the German press.

"We are demanding six points from our players and I will leave the team in no doubt about what is expected of them.

"I have spoken to each of the players on the phone over the last few days and am convinced that each of them is fully motivated."

Low's squad is at less than full strength for the games, with injuries to the likes of Michael Ballack, Lukas Podolski, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Tim Borowski.

However, he remains convinced he has enough players to get the job done.

"I want to see two excellent matches, even though we are missing several key players.

"If we win both games then we will not only take an important step towards the Euro 2008 finals, but can also look back on a very good season."

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[Sven]

I can't wait for this game, it's gonna be a laugh, to bad no Ballack.