German engines purring as crown moves into view
Source: Agencies |
June 24, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
GERMANY turned on the turbo chargers to race into the Euro 2012 semifinals and with its fourth consecutive last four spot in a major tournament secured it can see its first silverware in 16 years on the horizon.
A 4-2 demolition of Greece in the quarterfinals in Gdansk on Friday was its most dominant performance at the tournament so far and its 15th consecutive win in a competitive game makes it the odds-on favorite for a fourth European crown.
"This is our fourth semifinal in a major tournament and it is an outstanding performance," said beaming manager Joachim Loew, who was assistant coach when it reached the 2006 World Cup last four and in charge when the Germans finished runners up at Euro 2008 and third at the 2010 World Cup.
"We have the youngest team in the tournament with great prospects," he said.
Loew has every right to consider that his side can go all the way since neither of its possible semifinal opponent - England and Italy who meet in Kiev today - has yet shown such dominance at the finals.
The Germans went through the group stage with three wins out of three for the first time and on Friday crushed the Greeks with a dazzling display of attacking football and three goals in 13 minutes to advance in style.
Germany was in a class of its own despite making three changes to its lineup, including benching the tournament joint top scorer Mario Gomez, and its depth can only trigger respect and a sense of apprehension from its opponents.
"We are a tough team, have two players for each position and that speaks volumes for us," said forward Miroslav Klose, who scored on Friday. "It is impressive if you look at which players are waiting to come on. We want to keep winning."
While its semifinal opponent, whoever it may be, will no doubt be a tougher proposition than Greece, Loew could be excused for believing the time to win Germany's first trophy since 1996 had come.
"Both teams are extremely uncomfortable (to play against). England are much better than in 2010, Italy are a similar story," he said. "All teams in the semifinals are now title contenders."
On Friday, Philipp Lahm put Germany ahead in the 39th minute as his team controlled nearly every facet of the game. Although Georgios Samaras equalized for Greece in the 55th, it was all Germany after that as Sami Khedira, Miroslav Klose and Marco Reus scored.
Dimities Salpigidis added a consolation penalty for Greece in the 89th after Germany defender Jerome Boateng handled the ball.
And after the match, German Chancellor Merkel visited the players in the changing room.
A 4-2 demolition of Greece in the quarterfinals in Gdansk on Friday was its most dominant performance at the tournament so far and its 15th consecutive win in a competitive game makes it the odds-on favorite for a fourth European crown.
"This is our fourth semifinal in a major tournament and it is an outstanding performance," said beaming manager Joachim Loew, who was assistant coach when it reached the 2006 World Cup last four and in charge when the Germans finished runners up at Euro 2008 and third at the 2010 World Cup.
"We have the youngest team in the tournament with great prospects," he said.
Loew has every right to consider that his side can go all the way since neither of its possible semifinal opponent - England and Italy who meet in Kiev today - has yet shown such dominance at the finals.
The Germans went through the group stage with three wins out of three for the first time and on Friday crushed the Greeks with a dazzling display of attacking football and three goals in 13 minutes to advance in style.
Germany was in a class of its own despite making three changes to its lineup, including benching the tournament joint top scorer Mario Gomez, and its depth can only trigger respect and a sense of apprehension from its opponents.
"We are a tough team, have two players for each position and that speaks volumes for us," said forward Miroslav Klose, who scored on Friday. "It is impressive if you look at which players are waiting to come on. We want to keep winning."
While its semifinal opponent, whoever it may be, will no doubt be a tougher proposition than Greece, Loew could be excused for believing the time to win Germany's first trophy since 1996 had come.
"Both teams are extremely uncomfortable (to play against). England are much better than in 2010, Italy are a similar story," he said. "All teams in the semifinals are now title contenders."
On Friday, Philipp Lahm put Germany ahead in the 39th minute as his team controlled nearly every facet of the game. Although Georgios Samaras equalized for Greece in the 55th, it was all Germany after that as Sami Khedira, Miroslav Klose and Marco Reus scored.
Dimities Salpigidis added a consolation penalty for Greece in the 89th after Germany defender Jerome Boateng handled the ball.
And after the match, German Chancellor Merkel visited the players in the changing room.
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