Archive: Germany
German Hospitality
Don't get me wrong, the U.S. Soccer Federation did a very nice job accomodating the press during the national team's stay in Hamburg. The Park Hyatt in a trendy section of town was pleasant and very accessible. There was a water cooler in the back of the narrow interview room and plenty of cafes just outside the hotel grounds. No complaints... The German operation is just a bit different....
By Steve Goff | June 29, 2006; 05:45 AM ET | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
Grading the Predictions: Group A
Back on April 14, I did a Group A predictions thread. Figured it would be fun to look back. Here's what I wrote: My picks, in order: 1. Germany. They're not that good, but it's a weak group. 2. Ecuador. I'll pick a slight upset here. Good enough to beat Costa Rica and at least tie Poland. They'd win the group if matches were played at 10,000 feet. 3. Poland. I guess this is who most people will tab as the group runner-up. 4. Costa Rica. I was just reminded that Costa Rica barely made it out of a two-legged prelim vs. Cuba (away-goal tie-breaker needed) in the first stage of CONCACAF qualifying. Of course, Steve Sampson was coaching the Ticos then....
By Jon DeNunzio | June 20, 2006; 12:50 PM ET | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
Injuries and Fantasy
Ok, business first: If you haven't seen it yet, soccer fan Frank T. at Post.com has designed a cool fantasy game for the World Cup. Enter and enjoy. Camille, Jason and I are all planning to play; see how much better you can do than me. I assume you have seen the big news of the day: Germany F Michael Ballack will miss the opener....
By Jon DeNunzio | June 8, 2006; 03:30 PM ET | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
Lunchtime Kick-About
First, more bad news for Italy: MF Gennaro Gattuso is hurt, and may miss two games. He's a guy I really enjoy watching, and think many of you would, too (if you haven't seen him play for AC Milan or Italy already). Just a bulldog out there, fearless. To wit: Gattuso said: "I'm disappointed, missing two games is a lot for me. I'm not superstitious but I think someone has put a curse on me. I'm going to the World Cup even if I have to tie myself to the team bus." - Germany GK Jens Lehmann talks some trash about England. "They know how to play well but they do not know how to go through a whole tournament. We have been there and done it. They haven't." Two points: 1) Sure, Germany has "done it," way back in 1990! Well, I guess 1996, if you count Euro championships....
By Jon DeNunzio | June 7, 2006; 02:15 PM ET | Comments (18) | TrackBack (0)
Morning Kick-About
I like stats (good stats, not junk like this), and FIFAWorldCup.com has a good stat-driven piece up today. They crunched the numbers on the average age of World Cup players thru history, and discovered that no winning side in the last 40 years has had an average age of 28 or more. In Chile 1962 [Brazil] weighed in at an average of 30 years and 1 month, a staggering 17 months older on average than the next oldest squad. Since then the average age of the winning squads has been: England (27/01); Brazil (25/02); Germany (27/03); Argentina (26/03); Italy (27/04); Argentina (26/10); Germany (27/09); Brazil (27/11); France (27/04) and Brazil (26/09). ... The average age of every player taking part in the Germany showpiece is 27/05. Remarkably that figure has scarcely changed over recent competitions. Four years ago it was 27/06 as it was in 1998. In 1994 it had...
By Jon DeNunzio | June 6, 2006; 09:20 AM ET | Comments (22) | TrackBack (0)
Morning Kick-About
There are four days till the first game, and it's time to kick it into a higher gear ... we'll start the day with the kick-about: - Friendlies that made news: Brazil 4, New Zealand 0: Saw some highlights on Sky (thanks to Fox Soccer Channel); Adriano's goal was quite nice. Kaka scored late on a long run that made you wonder how hard New Zealand was trying at that point. Australia 1, Netherlands 1: Again, saw some highlights. Good for Australia: GK Mark Schwarzer made some gigantic saves, and hey, it's a very respectable result. Bad for Holland: three Dutch players were hurt in the game; MF Wesley Sneijder seems to be worst off. "It's like an episode of M.A.S.H.," said Holland Coach Marco van Basten said. "It was some sight in the dressing room. But I don't regret the match because it is good to play physical football."...
By Jon DeNunzio | June 5, 2006; 08:00 AM ET | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
Midnight Kick-About
Hey there ... I was away from my computer most of Thursday, so I have not had a chance to post. Here's one for you guys who might drop by late at night ... - Bad U.S. news: Cory Gibbs is out of the World Cup. It's not like Gibbs and Frankie Hedjuk are quote-unquote players you can't afford to lose, but two injuries at defense already? Yeesh. Gregg "Two Gs" Berhalter replaces Gibbs ... - We'll get Wayne Rooney MRI news Friday. BTW, how wild is the news that Man United fired the doc who was overseeing Rooney's recovery? He seemed to be giving the national team physio positive reports, and many figure Sir Alex Ferguson did not like that. In the spirit of fairness: United insist the departure of Dr Mike Stone, the physician who was in charge of Rooney's recovery, is not connected with the England star....
By Jon DeNunzio | May 25, 2006; 11:55 PM ET | Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)
Selection Monday
Today's the deadline day for teams to announce their World Cup roster. Our pals at FIFAWorldCup round it all up here. Some team-by-team notes: - France Coach Raymond Domenech had a few surprises, including his choice of Fabien Barthez as No. 1 keeper. Somewhat expected and discussed here a few weeks ago -- Barcelona's Ludovic Giuly did not make it (nor did Philippe Mexes, Nicolas Anelka or Robert Pires). - Morientes does not make Spain's team. - Germany Coach Juergen Klinnsman has two surprise inclusions: Jens Nowotny and David Odonkor. More to come ... UPDATE: Italy's squad is out. Buffon made the team, as did Inzaghi....
By Jon DeNunzio | May 15, 2006; 11:45 AM ET | Comments (30) | TrackBack (0)
Late Lunchtime Roundup
Hmmmm, where to start? I need to catch up ... - Germany F Michael Ballack sounds less than supremely confident. "Everyone must be aware that a surprise is possible with this young team - but also an early exit," Ballack said in SportBild magazine. - Australia, Sweden and Ecuador choose their teams. - Two players getting teased with "Hey, you still might make the team" talk: Holland MF Edgar Davids and England D Ledley King. - Reported in a comment yesterday -- Italy F Christian Vieri is out. Is it possible his last touch in a World Cup match was putting an exceedingly easy chance over the bar vs. South Korea? Or maybe I'm remembering it wrong....
By Jon DeNunzio | May 10, 2006; 01:45 PM ET | Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)
Mid-Afternoon Kick-About
Other notes: - Netherlands Coach Marco van Basten picked a 28-player provisional squad. Yet another veteran was cut loose -- Edgar Davids (Roy Makaay and Clarence Seedorf already had been left out). - Ukraine/AC Milan super-striker Andrei Shevchenko will miss 25 days with a knee injury. If the 25 days starts today, that means he's back in action on June 1. The Ukraine has a friendly vs. Italy scheduled for June 2, and opens Group H play vs. Spain on June 14. - Germany/Dortmund MF Sebastian Kehl may miss the World Cup with an ankle injury -- possible ligament tear. - U.S. defender Cory Gibbs signs with Charlton in the Prem. He played with Feyenoord this season. According to Gibbs, a number of other Premiership clubs, including UEFA Cup finalists Middlesbrough and Bolton, were also interested in the left-sided player who made his full international debut in 2003. - It's...
By Jon DeNunzio | May 8, 2006; 01:43 PM ET | Comments (13) | TrackBack (0)
Bonus Bruce
Sports Illustrated had a nice profile of U.S. Coach Bruce Arena a week or two ago (here's the link, but you need to be an SI subscriber to view the whole thing). And the SI website also has "outtakes" from Grant Wahl's reporting here. Really good stuff -- and lots of it. For instance: Arena has regrets and satisfactions from 2002. "I regret not playing David Regis in Game 3 against Poland," Arena says. "I wanted to sit Frankie Hejduk because I didn't think Frankie would have the discipline not to get a yellow card, and naturally he didn't and sat out against Mexico. I also regret not playing Kasey Keller in a game. It's completely against the norm, which says you only play one goalkeeper. But I know Kasey, and he could easily have played in any of those games, and we would have been equally successful." As a...
By Jon DeNunzio | May 6, 2006; 05:00 PM ET | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
Lunchtime Kick-About
What else is going on? - Angola is trying to get FIFA to allow two former Portuguese U-21/junior level players to play for its team in June. Interestingly, Angola's first World Cup opponent ... Portugal. - Spain MF Xavi returned to action over the weekend. - SuperPippo edges closer to a spot on Italy's roster. He had both goals for AC Milan vs. Livorn over the weekend ... - Oliver Kahn will retire from Bayern Munich after 2008. - Der Kaiser says Michael Ballack has already left Bayern Munich for Chelsea, mentally. I could do this whole blog off prounouncements from Beckenbauer, Mattaeus and Blatter, btw ... - In fairness, I should put out Nike's claim that they had nothing to do with Rooney's injury. Actually, I would find it hard to believe that a new-style cleat is really at the root of this injury, or others like it. That...
By Jon DeNunzio | May 1, 2006; 12:00 PM ET | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
Holy Cow x 2
I just saw two things that made me say "Holy Cow!" 1) Jens Lehmann stopping Riquelme's PK to preserve Arsenal's win in the Champions League semis. Klinsmann had to like that. The Guardian's oft-praised live update desribed it as follows: 89 mins: Riquelme steps up ... and aims a powerful side-footer to the keeper's left ... but Lehmann spreads himself well and blocks it! The tiny contingent of Arsenal fans go wild as justice is seen to be done! Is that the first time English fans have cheered a penalty save by a German keeper? 2) Sepp Blatter speaks up on England's search for coach to take the reins after the World Cup (Tip of the Hat to RMT from Richmond): Fifa president Sepp Blatter expressed his surprise that the FA could be considering the appointment of another foreigner. "I am surprised that England are considering this again - it...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 25, 2006; 04:50 PM ET | Comments (11) | TrackBack (0)
Francesco Totti, Michael Stipe and Akwa
If you've been paying attention so far, you're probably not surprised that I am starting here: Italy Coach Marcelo Lippi checks up on Francesco Totti, who seems to be well on the road to recovery. Doctor Pierpaolo Mariani, who operated on Totti, said he was confident the Roma captain would be ready for the FIFA World Cup. "For me, Francesco's injury has fully healed. We are amazed by his speedy recovery. He is about 15 days ahead of schedule." Meanwhile ... - I told you that Lothar Mattaeus's endorsement would not help Memhet Scholl: Klinsmann is not interested in the 35-year-old. Speaking of Scholl, listen to "Letter Never Sent" off R.E.M.'s Reckoning some time -- when Michael Stipe gets to the first words of the chorus, doesn't it sound like he is singing "Memhet Scholl" ... just a little? I mean, I know he's not actually singing that, but, well,...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 21, 2006; 12:50 PM ET | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
Kahn vs. Lehmann
I may tied of this debate soon. But for now, at least, let's keep it going: Did Klinsmann make the right choice? Oliver Hinz explores the topic: The pressure for Lehmann is higher now than it had been when he was a contender to King Kahn's throne. Even a tiny mistake could now bring up the 'Kahn or Lehmann' debate again. Klinsmann's decision must be absolute. Otherwise the only ones who profit from the situation are Germany's opponents in Group A. Thoughts?...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 20, 2006; 12:48 PM ET | Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)
Pressure on Juergen
Here's what Germans are telling Klinsmann he has to do today: - Make the quarterfinals. Here's what Der Kaiser (at right) said: "This time we are certainly no worse than in 1998 and 1994. Those years we were eliminated in the quarter-finals and this year should be no worse." I think we all can imagine Germany making the final 16, what with Group A being rather weak (see last week's discussion). But winning to make the quarters is gonna be tough -- Germany will likely play Sweden or England in the round of 16. - Pick Mehmet Scholl. Lothar Mattaeus, last seen in this space killing Klinsmann for his treatment of Oliver Kahn, backs Scholl: "After Deisler's injury it would make sense for Klinsmann to put his faith in Scholl," Matthaus told Sport Bild on Wednesday. "A supersub like him contributes more than other players who can run for 90...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 19, 2006; 05:05 PM ET | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Who Do You Like in Group A?
As I said, kind of a slow news day ... so, let's start the predictions. What order do you see the teams in Group A finishing? Some study guides: - Group A analysis from The Post's Steve Goff (written the day of the draw) - Capsule previews of the teams by the BBC: Costa Rica Ecuador Germany Poland All four by The Post. My picks, in order: 1. Germany. They're not that good, but it's a weak group. 2. Ecuador. I'll pick a slight upset here. Good enough to beat Costa Rica and at least tie Poland. They'd win the group if matches were played at 10,000 feet. 3. Poland. I guess this is who most people will tab as the group runner-up. 4. Costa Rica. I was just reminded that Costa Rica barely made it out of a two-legged prelim vs. Cuba (away-goal tie-breaker needed) in the first stage...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 14, 2006; 12:50 PM ET | Comments (28) | TrackBack (0)
Non-Rooney News
Some other stuff that is floating out there today: - England loses some back-line depth thanks to Luke Young's ankle injury. UPDATE, 3 PM: Maybe it's not that bad. - Zinedine Zidane wants to win the World Cup and retire on top. Don't we all? - Oliver Kahn spots the high road, crosses two lanes of traffic and the solid line and merges on to it. He's ok with being Lehmann's backup, he says. - Japan's Naohiro Takahara scores for Hamburg in late-game sub duty. FIFAWorldCup.com spins this as a momemt that could have great impact on how Japan's coach, Brazilian legend Zico, chooses his side. Am I being too harsh by asking if a Bundesliga reserve should be expected to be a major factor for a team like Japan? - The Guardian's Amy Lawrence sizes up Brazil. Are they overrated? I dunno, but it's a better question to ask...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 10, 2006; 02:15 PM ET | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
Think You Had a Bad Week?
At least you're not Oliver Kahn ... Bastian Schweinsteiger opened the scoring after 33 minutes as he inadvertently headed past his own goalkeeper [Kahn], and Daniel Jensen and Tim Borowski then piled on the misery for the Bayern No. 1 with goals in the second half. Hamburger SV can close Bayern's lead at the top of the table to four points with a win against VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach on Sunday. Bundesliga roundup UPDATE: Germany reacts to the Lehmann decision ... The Bild newspaper front-page headline: "Klinsi kills King Kahn" Lothar Matthaeus -- no friend of Klinsmann's -- brings it strong to der mic ... Matthaeus ... said the Germany coach's intentions were clear from the start. "Klinsmann just waited a while, then he struck - just like he always does," Matthaeus said. "You have to take a very close look at what is happening in German soccer since Juergen Klinsmann...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 8, 2006; 04:37 PM ET | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Lehmann In, Kahn Out
Apparently Juergen "Psycho Terror" Klinsmann sped up his decision-making process and chose Jens Lehmann over Mary Shelley's Oliver Kahn as Germany's No. 1 'keeper. Kahn was the Golden Ball winner (MVP) at the 2002 World Cup, but he has stuggled for Bayern Munich of late. Lehmann: has been in fine form for Arsenal, with the Gunners getting into the semi-finals of the Champions League having kept a tournament record eight clean sheets in a row....
By Jon DeNunzio | April 7, 2006; 10:37 AM ET | Comments (17) | TrackBack (0)
Psychological Terror?
Looks like the guy who just shut out Juventus (0-0 final, 2-0 aggregate) may supplant Oliver Kahn in goal for Klinsman's boys. Best part: 'Not making a decision on the starting goalkeeper after the last friendly against the United States (on March 22) was irresponsible,' said Hoeness. 'It's psychological terror, absolute psycho terror.' Oh yeah -- Barcelona 2, Benfica 0. Champions League semis (April 18 and 26): - AC Milan-Barcelona (oooh) - Arsenal-Villarreal...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 5, 2006; 04:41 PM ET | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
