England's chances?

[stojkovic]

England always raise their game against the big guns although they usually lose out on penos.
Hopefully Schweinsteiger and Ozil will be fully fit. Sud Afrikans will now switch their allegences to Ingurland.

[Dodge]

England always raise their game against the big guns

They have only once ever beaten a country who had previously won the world cup (2002 v argentina)

[stojkovic]

They have only once ever beaten a country who had previously won the world cup (2002 v argentina)

Yes but they have only been beaten TWICE since 1970 over 90 mins in the knock-out stage - Argentina in 86 and Brasil in 02.
They went out on penos in 90, 98 and 06 and didnt lose a game in 82.

[Stuttgart88]

It sounds like Schweinsteiger and Boateng are struggling, Oezil less so. Schweinsteiger hasn't traveled with the rest of the team.

[Sullivinho]

Schweinsteiger hasn't traveled with the rest of the team.

Shame that. He's a massive player for them, superb midfielder and looks even better outside of Ballack's shadow.

[Noelys Guitar]

The knock-out stage is a whole new ball game and I have a feeling this is going to suit England. All it will take is for Rooney to find his form (and he improved in the Slovenia game from his previous two outings)and it is goodbye Germany. The Germans have looked a good team but if Rooney plays at the top of his game then England will beat the Germans. The Germans are sure to attack Glen Johnson relentlessly but I'm not convinced the German central defense can keep out a resurgent Rooney (if he turns up). Could be a repeat scoreline of 1970 in reverse. England 3, Germany 2.

[OwlsFan]

It's seldom that another European team plays a fellow European side off the park? Spain 4 Ukraine 0 springs to mind from the last world cup (I remember a dodgy red card in 2nd half but Spain on top before that). Portugal 4 Poland 0 (2002) and Sven's England pasting Denmark by 3 goals in the second round. 98? Spain 6 Bulgaria 1. I bet there is one at every WC!

That's seldom. 4 in 12 years

I saw them against Algeria and they were very poor. I also saw them against us in 1990 and they were very poor then but they kept improving. However, they are clearly not as bad as that and against Germany they will raise their game and get a draw at least and then win on penos. I have read it in the stars (after a bottle of Sauvignon Plonk).

[Dodge]

Yes but they have only been beaten TWICE since 1970 over 90 mins in the knock-out stage - Argentina in 86 and Brasil in 02.
They went out on penos in 90, 98 and 06 and didnt lose a game in 82.

Stats can prove anything. They've lost as many knockout games over 90 minutes as they've won...

70 - lost only knock out game in 90 minutes
74 - Didn't qualify
78 - didn't qualify
82 - drew both games in the 2nd group stage
86 - one knock out win (beaten in quarters)
90 - no knockout wins in 90 minutes (beaten on pens in semi)
94 - didn't qualify
98 - no knockout wins in 90 minutes (beaten on pans in last 16)
02 - one knock out win in 90 minutes (beaten in quarters)
06 - one knock out win in 90 (beaten in qurters on pens)

SO they've woon 3 knock out games in 40 years in 90 minutes, against Paraguay, Denmark and Ecuador.

[shakermaker1982]

Schweinsteiger is a massive loss. ****.

[Stuttgart88]

It's not definite yet. He stayed behind for further treatment, my totally amateur guess being that the altitude may slow his recovery. 20 year old Toni Kloos would be his replacement. I'm hoping Low is playing mindgames but I doubt it. Experience will count for a lot in this game and England has it in abundance. I can't see anything other than an England win, but maybe being in England has that effect. I watched the Germany v Ghana game on RTE and thought the RTE panel overplayed Germany's performance.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Thanks Dodge. You've officially Tempted Fate with those stats.
But seriously Gareth Barry would be an even worse WC winner than Frank Le Boeuf FFS.

Their main strengths, when they play are Gerrard (& Rooney) and even more regrettably their Ch*lski connection.....
Maybe they'll beat Germany, even on pens, but as already has been said they're not a great team. And be amazed, If Schweinsteiger doesn't play.
Or at least start.

[Dodge]

Thanks Dodge. You've officially Tempted Fate with those stats.
.

I'm not too worried. England may beat germany, but they won't win the world cup.

[Stuttgart88]

Cacau out

[quadrivium]

This will be a really close one, I think.
England haven't been great thus far, but then again, neither have Germany. (The Australia match was a fluke - the Aussies had a bad day and were much improved in the matches that followed.)
I don't see Germany making much of an impact up front (even (especially?) if Klose plays), and if they play Badstuber again they will leak goals at the back. They also don't seem to have a lot of strength in depth. Lahm and Ozil are key players - assuming they stay on form, Germany might just edge it though. We'll see.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Dodge, I'd agree!

Just their idiot majority will behave as if they have, if they beat the Germans. Think they're due a 'good' game, so will tip them to win 2-1, without extra time. And may even miss a penalty.
Or if it is pennos, then them to win, only by 'the law of averages'.

Still here's to Germany, Argentina/Mexico and the next four, Portugal. Spain, Holland, Paraguay etc.

[stojkovic]

SO they've woon 3 knock out games in 40 years in 90 minutes, against Paraguay, Denmark and Ecuador.

All in the last 16.

They will win tomorrow, hope not but I think they will.

[Stuttgart88]

Watching Ghana v USA tonight, after about 40 minutes I was thinking that Germany must be better than I thought as Ghana were really impressing me. Then I think Ghana's inexperience kicked in and they sat back, allowing USA a foothold back in the game. Ghana play the game well though, with some really accomplished play at times so Germany must take credit for beating them.

[OwlsFan]

......but it is seldom at the WC that one European team plays another off the park.

:O Germany 4-1 England.

[tricky_colour]

I think to be fair if england's goal had stood it would have been a different ball game,
Germany would have just conceded 2 goals, that would have scared the life out of them
they would have settled for penalties I think. Certainty England would not have had to chase the game.

[Schumi]

Any sign of England looking to be the 9th team in the quarter finals?