Does anyone know any details on when a fixtures meeting/random draw will take place for the World Cup qualifiers?
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Does anyone know any details on when a fixtures meeting/random draw will take place for the World Cup qualifiers?
Some things never change. If someone put a gun to your head and you could measure at that moment how much you wanted to live, that's how much a Pole wants to beat Germany at football. In a friendly last night, Poland went 2-1 up with a few minutes left, game over - mass celebrations, then in the the last few moments, the Germans go up the field and equalize with the last kick of the game.
We have plenty of minds in the meantime but there is a decent article on basically now good Germany are at the moment. Sobering thoughts for our 2014 campaign:
While the fight goes on for England (surely), the Republic of Ireland (possibly) and Scotland (it could still happen) to qualify for Euro 2012, four of the continent's leading football nations can already start to prepare properly having sealed their places in Poland and Ukraine.
In the latest round of games, Italy joined defending European and World champions Spain in celebrating qualification, and the Dutch are definitely there too as they are guaranteed to be best runner-up at least. All, though, were beaten to the honour of being 'first past the post' by a very impressive Germany.
Their eighth win out of eight qualifying games was a 6-2 thrashing of neighbours Austria, with the display of attacking football put on by Joachim Low's side more than justifying the scoreline.
It followed a 3-2 win over Brazil in an August friendly when they were equally as impressive going forward, and the signs are that this German team will be the one to pose the biggest threat to Spain's European crown. Not that saying that represents a huge gamble!
Let's face it, the Germans have not often experienced the 'doldrums' of international football - even when they were supposed to be at a relatively low ebb they managed to reach the World Cup final in 2002.
A sprinkling of those who starred in South Africa last year were instrumental against Austria. Bastian Schweinsteiger patrolled the midfield with menace, man-of-the-match Mezut Ozil scored twice, and Thomas Mulller was arguably even better than his goalscoring 'seniors' Miroslav Klose (now 33) and Lukas Podolski (still only 26 and with 92 caps behind him).
For the second game running though, the scorers of the last two German goals caught my eye in particular.
Mario Goetze and Andre Schurrle have emerged to join the likes of Muller and Toni Kroos as the bright new things in German football. The youngest talents in a squad that, Klose aside, has a youthful energy to it throughout.
Attacking midfielder Goetze scored on his first start for his country against Brazil, and followed it up by coming off the bench to bag against the Austrians. He'll only leave his teens five days before Euro 2012 kicks off, but looks to have the ability and confidence to live up to the hype that's building rapidly in Germany.
When wise old heads like Franz Beckenbauer and Mattias Sammer give the verdicts "instinctive...just like Messi" (Beckenbauer) and "one of the best talents we've ever had" (Sammer), you know you're dealing with something special.
He's started the Bundesliga season in excellent form too, as Borussia Dortmund's creator-in-chief. And, as with most top talents, there's a fiery side - demonstrated by his (harsh) red card at Bayer Leverkusen just before the international break, a reaction to being on the end of some 'special' treatment from the opposition.
From that Leverkusen side comes 20-year-old Schurrle, who's fast becoming Germany's second wave goal threat from the bench. His goal, the team's fifth against Austria was his fourth in the last six internationals, with three scored as a substitute.
A tall, stylish forward, he's moved up after just a year in the Under-21s and by next June could be getting a regular starting place. A first season wearing number nine for Leverkusen after his move from Mainz will be a big one for him.
Last year, Goetze and Schurrle became the first Germany players to have been born after reunification in 1990. Next year, don't be surprised if their abilities help the country reunite with a trophy they last won in 1996.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
Like we did last time we had them? Under Stan?
Yes. They've improved massively.
Have you seen their results since? Even with Trap and 11 men behind the ball, we'll be pushed to get a draw, let alone come ahead of them.
André Schürrle looked very good for Leverkusen last night, I'd be worried about him running at our full backs next year.
Germany will take 4 points minimum from us, so what?
Germany are going to romp home to the Euros and Next World Cup. You heard it here first.
Edit: and I mean win both not just qualify.
Germany, Spain and Holland are untouchble in qualification rounds these days - virtual 100% records over two or more campaigns now. England are finding it relatively easy too, since 2008's disaster. Italy & France are still reliable qualifiers but are some way short of the top 3.
Any points at all from Germany could be valuable.
Belgium in 2016 is where the money is at.Quote:
Originally Posted by BonnieShels
Funny you should say that... When purchasing Pro Ev 2011 last year I kept on ending up with these fantastical Belgian youth players so I jut couldn't let it lie and thought Seabass went a bit mad and checked the individuals out... You could be onto something.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingdom
I'd say though they'll fall short of winning it. Good bet for the semis though.
Watching Goatzy/Gatze [sic. (I know it's Goetze, but Trevor Welch's attempt at the pronunciation was doing my nut in)] last night just shows the capabilities the young Germans. That little fecker is only 19.
Sounds like the Swedish youth-team in CM01/02. They did well out of that. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by BonnieShels
And who could forget Andri Sigporsson... Bargain!!Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
However in this case its justified. The Belgians do indeed have some whoppers coming through.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
In fairness, that is true, by all accounts. Whereas Sweden just had Kim Karlsson.
Roll on September 26th. And we'll see what new and wonderful players are out there this year. I wager my Forest team are going to be populated by Armenians.
Some news from our group for WC 2014.
http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro2012/new...d=1676739.html
Wow. Even Austrian resignations are boring and without drama.
According to Delaney at the draw in July, it was supposed to be in Frankfurt at "the end of August". It's now October, and there's no sign of them. While there's no rush, it would be nice to at least have a date for the meeting.Quote:
Originally Posted by French Toasht
Currently, only Group 9 dates have been set. The deciding games are October next year in Spain, and the following March in Paris. Of course Spain and France are at home on the last night, but the other team's fixtures are of little consequence.
Fixtures meeting for the WC 2014 group due to take place in Frankfurt on November 17th and 18th 2011.
http://www.dfb.de/index.php?id=50001...i4%5Bcat%5D=56