B3: Austria 0 - 1 Germany - 16/06/08

[Trim]

All-clear for Podolski

Lukas Podolski will play in Germany's crucial match against Austria in Vienna on Monday. But the team will be without 22-year old defender Marcell Jansen who hurt a shoulder during the last game.

That's on top of the loss of his Bayern team mate Sebastian Schweinsteiger, who got himself sent off against Croatia.

Not looking good

Team manager Oliver Bierhoff said Saturday: "It's not looking too good. As things stand, Jansen won't be fit to play until later in the tournament." .

But the all-clears were sounded for three-goal Lukas Podolski (ankle injury) and defender Philipp Lahm (damaged calf) . Both are fit to play aginst Austria.

Westermann hurt but available

Schalke defender Heiko Westermann tore a ligament and splintered a bone in his hand during training. But he's fit enough to train and could also play, if needed, with a plaster cast round his wrist.

Bundesliga - Die offizielle Webseite

[Stephan]

Originally Posted by Trim

The referee has been apointed for the match: Manuel Enrique Mejuto González (ESP).

I take it that he's not a good ref?

[Stephan]

Glad to hear that Poldi and Lahm will be able to play on Monday.
As for Jansen, I don't care really, he's been terrible.

[Trim]

Originally Posted by Stephan

I take it that he's not a good ref?

He and Lubos Michel are the worst refs.

[Stephan]

Originally Posted by Trim

He and Lubos Michel are the worst refs.

Lovely

[__-SNAKE-__]

Oh great that idiot will ref this match, can see a few yellow cards gonna show for no appearant reason.

[Trim]

Loew: We Won't Underestimate Austrians

German national team boss Joachim Loew has vowed that his side will not make the same mistakes that they did against Croatia when they take on regional rivals Austria tomorrow night.

The Germans looked a shadow of the team that started the tournament so positively against Poland in their last match against Croatia, which has set up a high pressure match against the co-hosts which will see them dumped out of the tournament if they lose.

"Obviously we were beaten by Croatia but I promise you that tomorrow this team will play differently," said Loew.

"All of us, all the staff and every player is well aware that about 30 million German fans will be watching. They have high hopes that we can win and that's why we have to do this, for our fans, for our nation.

"The Croatia match is a thing of the past, we've come to grips with it. Tomorrow we will be confident, we have to push the limits and we know that Austria played with a lot of energy and went the distance in their first match.

"We won't make the mistake of underestimating them, we will go the extra mile and I'm confident my players can do it. They've earned my full trust.

"We'll play our game and impose ourselves on our opponents and I'm confident enough to say that today and confident enough that we will prove what we can do," he added.

"Austria played against us in February and they played very well in the first half," he said. "During those 45 minutes we were struggling to keep up with them and we said back then that there were a number of things that were not working.

"Over the last few months Austria have improved and when they played the Netherlands they were leading 3-0 (in another friendly before going on to lose 4-3). When you look at how the Dutch are playing now and keep in mind that Austria were ahead 3-0, then once again you can see how strong they are.

"Austria are fighters, they know how to play and we are taking this seriously."

Goal.com - Euro 2008 - Germany - Loew: We Won't Underestimate Austrians

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Lehmann Debate Continues

The debate on the short and long-term international future of Jens Lehmann is raging on in Germany.

Question marks are being raised as to whether or not Lehmann should remain in goals for the make-or-break clash against Austria and as to whether or not he should retire from the international game after the tournament.

It seems that Lehmann will be in goal for Germany when they face Austria for a place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008, with the Germans needing at least a draw to progress.

Lehmann himself seems un-phased by speculation, stating that he is looking forward to a “great challenge” against the Austrian co-hosts.

"It is a great challenge now and the team is under pressure," Lehmann told AP.

Germany boss Joachim Low decided early to stick with Lehmann as his starting goalkeeper despite his lack of regular football for Arsenal last season and tried to give him as much match practice as possible.

At the tournament, Low’s judgement has been questioned with Lehmann being anything but a wall of strength. A mix-up with central defender Per Mertesacker nearly gave Poland a goal a couple of minutes into Germany's opener. Germany did win, 2-0, but then lost 2-1 to Croatia, and Lehmann coupled one good save with several hesitant moves and an important error for one of the Croatian goals.

However, Low has insisted that there will be no change on Lehmann’s situation.

"We are not going to change our opinion now about Jens Lehmann," the coach said.

Lehmann has been vague about his long-term future and has toyed with the idea of continuing until the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. However Franz Beckenbauer, arguably the voice of German Football, has came out against the idea, saying that younger players should be handed an opportunity.

"The European Championship is a good opportunity to step down and usher in a new era," Beckenbauer stated this week.

"I would advise Jens to retire and give the younger players a chance to shine."

Goal.com - Euro 2008 - Lehmann Debate Continues

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Showdown for the German team

Germany and national team coach Joachim Löw are under immense pressure ahead of the make-or-break match against Austria on Monday (20:45).

It's either a quarter-final date with Portugal or one of the biggest shocks in the history of the German national team: when Germany take on Austria on the final matchday of group B, the two years under coach Joachim Löw could end in disaster.

No one in the German camp wants to think about defeat, however - everyone is convinced of reaching the knock-out stages.

Ballack demands reaction

"We know that everything will be called into question if we lose. But we don't deal with that. We want to win, and everyone is convinced of that 100%", Michael Ballack said. "We now have the pressure, but we have often proved that we can handle it", the DFB skipper added.

The team even met for a crisis talk without the coaches. "It's important to show a reaction", Ballack demanded.

"The discussion is ridiculous"

Torsten Frings doesn't want to think back to 2000 and 2004 when Germany were eliminated after the group stages. "If you've got the chance to eliminate the hosts in front of 50,000 in Vienna, it's a positive thing."

All players came in on Joachim Löw's side after the national team coach had come under pressure. "The discussion is riduculous. But I don't expect things to go wrong so it will stop soon", Frings insisted.

Changes to the line-up

The 48-year-old himself promised that "we will see a different team on Monday, regarding the attitude but also the line-up."

Possible candidates for a place in the starting line-up could be Arne Friedrich (with Philipp Lahm at left-back for injured Marcell Jansen) and midfielders Thomas Hitzlsperger and Tim Borowski.

Podolski up front

Lukas Podolski, scorer of all three German goals so far, is expected to play alongside Miroslav Klose up front, with Mario Gomez being benched after disappointing performances.

Gomez is expected to sit alongside Kevin Kuranyi, who might have to wait a bit longer for his 50th cap. Bastian Schweinsteiger (red card) is suspended for one game.

Another "Cordoba"?

Hosts Austria are dreaming of a repeat of "Cordoba". At the 1978 World Cup the Austrians had defeated Germany 3-2, with Hans Krankl scoring a brace.

"The players should go out and make history themselves. They could be heroes and erase Cordoba", Krankl commented.

"A historic chance"

Austria haven't beaten neighbours Germany in 22 years, but the hosts are confident ahead of the clash. "We have a realistic chance of reaching the quarter-finals with a win. It's a historic chance for the team", team manager Andreas Herzog commented.

"It's all or nothing, either the quarter-final or the end of our dreams. Therefore I'm especially delighted that we're up against Germany", Josef Hickersberger said.

The Austrian coach will have to make do without central defender Sebastian Prödl (suspension).

Line-ups as expected:

Germany: 1 Lehmann - 4 Fritz (3 Friedrich), 17 Mertesacker, 21 Metzelder, 16 Lahm - 18 Borowski (4 Fritz), 13 Ballack, 8 Frings, 15 Hitzlsperger - 11 Klose, 20 Podolski

Austria: 1 Macho - 14 Garics, 3 Stranzl, 4 Pogatetz, 5 Fuchs - 6 Aufhauser, 10 Ivanschitz, 8 Leitgeb, 11 Korkmaz - 9 Linz, 20 Harnik

Referee: Mejuto Gonzales (Spain)

Bundesliga - Die offizielle Webseite

[Trim]

I like that^ line-up. I'm happy to see Löw has made (will make) some changes.

As I wanted, Hitzlsperger to play, Podolski up front, Gomez benched.

AUF GEHTS DEUTSCHLAND!

[z187]

will be a tough one for sure, austria will be supported by the home crowd in that large vienna stadium

also we know refs tend to favor home sides.

[jec1]

Go Austria!

[z187]

Originally Posted by jec1

Go Austria!

watch out, what if austria win and then beat us in the quarter final

that would suck

[jec1]

Would you rather face the Germans or Austrians?

[Beninato]

I'd rather face Germany. We've seen what can happen with a side like Greece. The home advantage makes them twice as tough.

Germany is a weak side with questionable goal keeping. They seem torn when their on the pitch.

[z187]

Originally Posted by Beninato

I'd rather face Germany. We've seen what can happen with a side like Greece. The home advantage makes them twice as tough.

Germany is a weak side with questionable goal keeping. They seem torn when their on the pitch.

yeah but germany is germany, they can never be underestimated. 1 bad game against croatia (a good team) doesnt mean they can be written off.

i wouldnt be surprised at all if germany bounces back to win the cup. and many other ppl wouldnt be either