Euro 08 Qualifier: Ireland 0 - 0 Germany {Germany qualifies!}

[BlackNess]

43' Ireland 0 - 0 Germany

[Podolski]

ok well even though podolskis not playing im still watching
this game is so boring.
lehmann, metzelder, frings, kuranyi and jansen have been good. lehmann acted well when one on one with keane, but, at one point he ran out to get a cross, then half way to the ball, he backed off..
I hope poldi comes on for gomez.

hope schweini is ok

[Trim]

Just checked the result, it ended 0-0.

Couldn't watch the match, but I'm glad I didn't waste 2 hours of my life watching a boring goaless draw.

However it is, Germany becomes the first team to qualify for Euro 2008.

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Germany have become the first team to qualify for UEFA EURO 2008™ alongside hosts Austria and Switzerland with a draw that keeps the Republic of Ireland's hopes of joining them in the finals mathematically alive.

Germany confirmed
Group D leaders Germany began the day eight points clear of third-placed Ireland, knowing that avoiding defeat at Croke Park would be enough to seal a top-two finish. In a tight game the visitors duly achieved that aim, and while Ireland are five points behind the Czech Republic, they can still pip their rivals if Stephen Staunton's team overcome Cyprus and Wales in their remaining matches and the Czechs lose in Germany on Wednesday and against Slovakia and Cyprus next month.

Schweinsteiger injured
From the start it was an open contest and throughout both sides looked capable of scoring. Bastian Schweinsteiger was forced off with a head injury midway through the first half, Simon Rolfes taking over, but Germany were in positive mood and Mario Gómez's shot bounced just over on 20 minutes. At the other end, Andy Reid's clever ball found Robbie Keane but the Tottenham Hotspur FC striker could not beat Arsenal FC goalkeeper Jens Lehmann. The best chance of the first half came not long before the break as Christoph Metzelder headed a corner towards goal but Steve Finnan cleared off the line.

Lehmann heroics
Ireland began the second period brightly and Lee Carsley's cross-shot drifted towards goal, forcing Lehmann to tip over, and soon after the keeper was relieved when Keane, in space and with only the No1 to beat, sliced his attempted chip. Lukas Podolski had a shot deflected over and then drove just wide, while Lehmann did well to deny Ireland substitute Shane Long. It could have gone either way until the final minute, but no goal arrived and Germany are through.

uefa.com*-*UEFA EURO 2008â„¢*-*Fixtures & Results*-*Match Specific

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Germany coach Joachim Löw was understandably thrilled to have seen his side battle to the point which secures their place at next summer’s Euro finals.

“Today the job has been completed. We have qualified with three games remaining, which is worth particular praise. We didn’t have the quality in attack tonight, but that happens sometimes” he commented.

“The team were fantastically competitive and were pushed to the limits.”

Stand-in captain Torsten Frings was delighted with the point which seals qualification.

“We knew it would be difficult today because the Irish were fighting for their last chance” captain Torsten Frings explained.

“We stood up well against them, that was important. We can be proud that we have qualified so early, and are the first country to do so.”

Under-fire goalkeeper Jens Lehmann hardly put a foot wrong all night, although he did pick up a yellow card, which puts him out of the upcoming match with the Czech Republic.

“Our goal was not to concede here tonight as it was important to get this point. It’s normal for the keeper to be booked if he handles the ball out on the throw-in line” the Arsenal keeper joked.

Goal.com - Euro 2008 - Löw Delighted With Hard-Fought Point

[Podolski]

Lehmann was very good today. In the second half he made no mistakes and he some good saves.

Podolski looked good i thought, had a few good shots and livened up the game a little

[Trim]

I read that Loew blamed the attack today.

I hope he realised he must start Poldi again.

[Poldi]

Great job Germany! Congratulation for qualifies First national team who has qualifies for EURO 2008!!! Thats great (hope that they will play like now in summer 2008, and be champions of Europe).

[Vargas_4]

I have a very good feeling that they will

[jec1]

Good job, germany!

I expected them to be there but drawing against Iceland, what happened?

[Oliver_Kahn]

Originally Posted by jec1

Good job, germany!

I expected them to be there but drawing against Iceland, what happened?

1. Germany played Ireland
2. Ireland >>> Iceland
3. Germany missed half of their starting line-up
4. They played away from home in a very tough atmosphere
5. They only needed a draw

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Well done Germany, first team to qualify and the only team without defeats. One of the top favourites to win the Euro 08.