Euro 2008
2008-06-08 - Germany vs Poland
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Germany
The current tournament favourites will begin their campaign against a side that has never beaten them before and they will look to get off to a good start. Germany will be satisfied with the fact they will not have to play Holland, Italy, France or Spain until the final at the earliest opportunity and so are rightly favourites to win this tournament.
The Germans qualified for the tournament after coming through a group containing the Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland, Wales, Slovakia, Cyprus and San Marino. They compiled a 8-3-1 record, scoring 35 goals and conceding 7 including a 13-0 win over San Marino.
They came through in 2nd spot in the group but it was a controversial end when knowing a 2nd placed finish would ensure they would be 2nd seeds for this tournament and thus perhaps gaining an advantage after Switzerland and Austria were both granted 1st seed status as co-hosts.
Since qualifying for the tournament, Germany have played 4 friendlies of which they have won 3 and drawn the other. They have won 2 of those friendlies in away games against the 2 co-hosts of this tournament.
Germany have been full of respect for their opponents tomorrow night and I dont think they will be underestimating the Poles. They are hoping to change some recent history in this competition tomorrow as they have not won a game in the last 2 European Championships.
The team news shows that there are a number of places still to be suited out by Joachim Loew. It is likely that Mario Gomez will start up front with Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski fighting to partner him. It would be an irony if either Klose or Podolski scored in this game as both have Polish heritage.
Poland
The Poles are outsiders within this group behind both Germany and Croatia in the race to qualify for the next stage. A defeat, even this early in a tournament, could put insurmountable pressure on Poland if they wish to make an impact in this tournament.
Poland will be given due respect as they are a side that qualified for Euro 2008 ahead of the much favoured Portugal side, but recent results have not been so impressive. Poland finished with an 8-4-2 record with 24 goals scored and 12 conceded which included a win and a draw with Portugal. Other sides in the group included Serbia, Finland, Belgium, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Since qualification, Poland have a 3-2-1 record in friendlies. They only have 1 win in their last 4 games, which included a 0-3 home defeat to the United States. This is disappointing when they have faced the calibre of teams like Macedonia, Albania, Denmark and the USA.
The Poles seem to be relishing the prospect of playing Germany here and truly believe they have the potential to cause the first shock of the tournament. They have also been talking of revenge for their 1-0 defeat in the World Cup 2 years ago when Olivier Neuville scored an injury time winner.
Poland will rely on their 9 goal scoring Ebi Smolarek to fire them to glory in this competition. Artur Boruc will also need to be on his best form if Poland are to progress to the quarter finals.
Head to Head
It is well documented that Poland have never beaten their European neighbours. They have only played once in the last 12 years at that was at the World Cup in Germany in 2006. As mentioned, Germany won that game with an injury time goal.
Prediction
Germany will look to get their tournament off to a strong start, especially considering that Croatia will be their next opponents before playing the co-hosts Austria. They will be hoping they perform better than they did in the last meeting between the 2 sides.
The Poles will look to establish their game early here but I feel it will be tough for them against a strong German side.
I dont think Germany will have it all their own way in this game but I think they will be good enough to win well at the end of the day. With the game being in Austria, they will also essentially have home advantage here and I think it will carry them through.
The Pick :
Germany 2-0 Poland
