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martin, the links in your report aren麓t working (except for the video link)

Hi Lukas,
I can see there's a problem with those links. I'm trying to fix them now so hopefully everything will be fine soon.
Thanks
Bridget (Blog ed.)

Since day one of the World Cup, crosses of St. George have been peeking out through a surprising number of apartment and shop windows here in NYC (including mine), and this morning I could see some England shirts "out" and about in pretty large numbers (the annual NYC gay Pride parade is today--in horriby hot, humid, and gray weather). The Big Apple is pulling for England all of the way!

"but will they be back again on July 9th?"
YES WE WILL;)

you described the mood in germany very well. but you forgot to mention that many germans believed we would be able to beat you. like the english fans believe...

"but will they be back again on July 9th?"

Yes we will...

England are just bloody boring. Why dont they play as a team and not a set of individuals. I agree they have some brilliant players but together they just dont gell and they always give to much respect to their opponent. They scraped through again tonight with a 1-0 win. I saw England win the rugby world cup in 2003 by being boring, hopefully this wont be the same.

One annoyed fan

Germany are yet to face any decent opposition - their group opponents were disunited and barely a test, while Sweden allowed them so much space it was unbelievable. They will no get that against Argentina, who I think will win in extra time.

Martin,

there's two ways the Germans and/or English will play their next game.
The Germans playing great but dying in beauty against Argentina and the English going on with dull games but okay results heading for the finals.
Actually I'd prefer good football to the title - and you?

@#4: Easy, Torsten! Tim is right, we haven't really been tested so far. Argentinia is a football giant, and it's well possible that we might fail against them. It is true that England has been rather disappointing in their recent matches, but they're a world-class team and always good for a surprise win.

England congradulations on your victory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a turn around! Great for the coach. He's got the exuberance, and the, it seems, know how to do it. I can see them beating Argentina. After that, who knows.

Wish same could be said about Eriksson.

The best thing is, that Germany's matches are actually fun to watch. Even if we don't win the cup with this offensive strategy (hey, that COULD happen, due to bad luck...), the team can be proud of playing attractive football.
I wish I could say that about England. Todays match reminded me of how Germany used to play. An awkward, but finally victorious struggle, almost painful to watch.

Germany v Argentina ewww

Blackpool FC

Horrible game, horrible teams. England, you're now officially rubbish...

The fact that Sweden is no longer considered a "decent opposition" for Germany actually tells quite a bit. England hasn't been able to beat them for quite a while now.

But of course Argentina is a different story. That they are not the absolute favourite for this one is already quite an achievment. I think everything is possible.

Of all the excuses for missing England麓s quarter-final, and potential semi-final (against Brazil?), can I get mine in first?...

I麓m not working, I麓m not ill...we haven麓t even had a row.

But I have pre-booked a six-day advanced glacier techniques and crevasse rescue course in the remote Peruvian Andes. Do I win five pounds?

Both Germany and England played vs. Ecuador and Sweden and Germany did better than England. Why do you consider them as strong opponents for England, but not for? Perhaps Sweden are not at the same level as Brasil and Argentina, but they surely are a strong team and a real test for any title contender.

if you're in Hanover on Tuesday, visit the FanFest and watch the French at Waterloo!
And don't miss the world's largest 'Marksmen festival' (Schuetzenfest Hannover), starting on Friday 30th - have a few 'L眉ttje Lage' drinks - if you can handle them!

Yes England are playing like Germany in 2002.

1-0s all the way to the final?

It does matter how you play, I'm afraid.

Both out next Friday.

England just played like Germany used to play four years ago. Maybe they`ll reach the finals like Germany did last time, but I doubt that it`s enough to beat an opponent like Brazil.

Germany however, might have the chance to win this time by playing attractive, offensive AND effective. It`s fun watching Germany this time. Juergen Klinsmann did a great job :-)

Hi Martin,
good description of how Germany reacts. Interesting to see also the number of German jerseys sold: Adidas sold more than 1,1 million shirts until the end of the group stage. In 2002 they only had half of this number after the whole tournament!

Now they are alll going to embroider way beyond their limit. It is the incredible party athmosphere that creates that. Finally we are able to laugh about ourselves. If we still can do that after the loss against Argentinia (if it happens...-:)) then I thiunk we have achieved a good thing for everybody.

Keep up your nice writing

Gernot - a bloody German living in France

hi guys.......you may have a very good team, but I think it is not going to be enogh to stop Argentina....

Nice to see that the german media are getting behind their team now that they're winning. Pity the British media (and some fans) can't do the same while we keep winning.

That guy on 5-Live - he'll still be saying we're crap even if we win the cup. Everything is easy when you're sitting in the air conditioning in the commentary box.

Give the guys a break. Or is it that you want England out so you can say 'I told you so!'

hi, really enjoying your travels around Germany, but as a living here in Frankfurt a shame that I can't view your blog videos! (Can you explain this please?) I understand about the TV rights for the games etc. not being available from the beeb over here, but who have you guys sold the rights for your reports to? I guess that that the next world cup we will have to follow your adventures in the Gulfstream jet! (poor old Svan :-(
Mark in Frankfurt am Main

@ TAH:

I tend to agree. England is just being economical. They麓ll 麓stumble麓 and 麓mess up麓 their games all the way to the finals while we will continue to perform this 麓poetry in motion麓 and then will fall flat on our faces...
Beautiful soccer just isn麓t as effective.

By the way, could someone please tell me if it麓s soccer or football? I麓m confused.

The Germans are playing fantastic football. They play like champions. They can slam three, four spectacular goals into Argentina's net.

Poor Ecuador.

Falling prey to yet another - admittedly brilliant, but a good goalie would have known and destroyed - Beckham kick! And that was about the only English feat worth mentioning. Poor play.

The other remarkable stuff was the Ecu hitter deflected (by Cole ?), hitting the bar.

Good luck on one side. Bad lock on the other.

Bad play on both sides.

England, thank God on your knees you didn't have to face Germany yesterday. It would have been elimination number ... well I forgot the count ... in tournaments.

You wanna win the cup? That's a good one. A cup of tea, though, is always granted.

Prost!

If you click on the link for the german newspaper thats provided and scroll to the bottom there is a gallery of 116 pictures of the best looking women at the tournement so far. Well worth a look for the body painting alone

I disagree on that Germany so far has not been tested. The Swedish was a test. If they did not look well then this is only because the German team did not allow them to look well, that strong they played (maybe the best German match i have ever seen, I'm age 39. Ironically, the Swedish team was espeically in trouble in the first 35 minutes when both teams still were at full strength.

I saw Argentina as top favourite, alongside Spain and now Gemrany. But I think the Germans will defeat Argentina, in a hell of a fight. and if the should happen to lose it - then again, not withoiut a hell of a fight. We may not have the best players in each category, but the team avergae skill level is very high. More important, these yolung guys are getting hotter and hotter. They are hungry now, and they have managed to form an extremely strong team spirit which mabye is the most decisive characteristic of this team. "Einer f眉r alle, alle f眉r einen". They have no reason to assume that the Argentinians are favourites in the uboming match. It will be a meeting on same eye-level.

Argentina has the best level of players along with Brazil, Germany will need to have a very good day on Friday to beat them. England is perhaps the best European team, but it is likely that the final will be an Argentina-Brazil. Good luck to everyone in this world cup.

Germany is picking up momentum.
In every respect.

Ihr werdet euch noch wundern !

I am German.

In a blog much earlier - hell, I can't remember where and when, anyhow: I declared Argentina top favourites. I still do.

But given the two teams' performances yesterday, and taking into account the little slackening on the Argentians' side, and the ferocious gain of momentum - and more importantly - of artistry plus
self-assurance on the German side ... I'd say:

NOTHING CAN STOP US BUT VERY VBRY BAD LUCK - OR BRAZIL !

England - are they still in the tournament?

@Leonatus #26: Soccer is used in the USA and very few other countries, football in the rest of the English speaking world. Interesting fact: The names basically go back to two different versions played ages ago and given the way we play it these days, soccer is actually the more accurate term.

Regarding the performances of the teams: Being German, I was really impressed with their performance against Sweden. After 30 minutes they actually shifted back one gear to save energy for the next game and still completely controlled Sweden. But I have to give a hand to the great Swedish goalie. Boy did that guy drive us crazy here watching the game... Argentina was disappointing in their last two games against Netherlands and Mexico and I'm sure the German coaches will analyze these games. Both teams were good at neutralizing Argentina most of the time. England, well, I'm sorry to have to agree to the comment made on German TV today. They said, England plays the most boring football of all teams in this World Cup. The game today was the most boring and painful to watch of the last week. Lucky for England that Ecuador was even worse. You still have a bunch of great players, but not really a good team. Another thing mentioned on TV: Your coach should re-think his strategy wiht Rooney being the only real scorer. He can't do great passes and then score at the same time. He was the only one today who really worked hard and tried everything out there. Finally, Netherlands vs. Portugal (your next opponent) was an ugly game with a lousy referee. He should have given a red to the guy from the Netherlands right in the beginning and this mess might have been avoided. But this way it was just a bunch of guys wasting their time (and ours) on either being whiners (Figo, this ellbow check was not worth the acting you did!) or brutal (Figo again, for hitting the guy with your head... not to speak about the guy from the Netherlands who jumped into the other player with an outstreched leg). So that game will be interesting: Boring and without inspiration vs. whining and hot-headed. My predection: Penalty kick...

Even if Germany is out on friday - it doesn't matter. They did so much more than expected. I'm sure they will give Argentinia one hell of a ride and that's all people want to see. At least they shoot goals like mad and don't find time to complain on the weather.

I expected much more from the English team. They weren't always great, put did put up some competition for their oppenents. But this year? This is the best english team ever? Unbelievable.

Portugal may be more than they can handle in this state.

I guess people who say that Germany will win on Friday just forgot the match Argentina vs Montenegro, I would like to see Germany or England play like that one single time in their history. Argentines will have to be very unlucky for not to get to the final.

Eduardo - how long have you been asleep lately? England the best European team??? Maybe there is a misprint, eh ?
4 games with poor performance and undeserved luck like Germans sometimes in the past - and I am German, mind you.

Now listen:

Germany will no longer tolerate being looked down upon !

We respect everybody.

YET WE FEAR NOBODY: AND OUR FIGHTING SPIRIT IS SOMETHING YOU HAVE NO IDEA OF - AS YET !!!

And we shall overcome anybody !

ALL FORCES ACTIVATED FOR WC NO: 4:

Behind (in due humility) Brazil (5),
abreast with Italy (3) (though way in front of them in terms of runners-up), ahead of Uruguay (2) , of Argentina (2).

Apparently there were some others, too.

In short: Best European team all in all beyond doubt is G E R M A N Y.

(Sorry Holland: what else beside Euro !88 have you got. great performers but greart underachievers :-))); sorry England: what else have you got beside WC '66, and that with the only FOUL goal in the history of WC finals). You will never create a pure record in the history of world football. I've got a hunch that you have managed to put up with that; o.k.

Germany: 3 World Cups, 3 or 4 or 3 RunnerUp,3 ECs etc.

Brazil will always werar the crown.

But Germany will always be Vice-Roy!

Something England and Holland can only dream of ...

Good night, and good luck.

The Germans are playing a fabulous football. This is the best German Team since 1972. But good enough to beat Argentina? We will see on Friday. But one thing is sure: the winner will win also the World Cup. Probably we will see a final between Germany and England. England is playing the same boring style like Germany 2002 and Germany reached the Final.

My prediction:

Germany - Argentina 3:2 E.T.

England - Portugal 1:0 (Own Goal by Figo)

Argentina is really tough for our team. It will be very tight.

But the Germany team has, among others, a very important asset. And that is: they are hungry, and, more importantly, able to learn.

Anyone may start from humble beginnings. The big question, apart from the basic potential, of course, is: what do they learn: How much and how fast do they pick uop?

And, ladiesn and gentlemen: please keep underestimating our defence ( a hundred years ago it conceded 2 goals to Costa Rica) and in general the GERMAN TURNIERMANNSCHAFT ! That is excactly what we woulld like you to do. THANX, Y'ALL !

Argentina is really tough for our team. It will be very tight.

But the Germany team has, among others, a very important asset. And that is: they are hungry, and, more importantly, able to learn.

Anyone may start from humble beginnings. The big question, apart from the basic potential, of course, is: what do they learn: How much and how fast do they pick uop?

And, ladies and gentlemen: please keep underestimating our defence ( a hundred years ago it conceded 2 goals to Costa Rica) and in general the GERMAN TURNIERMANNSCHAFT ! That is excactly what we woulld like you to do. THANX, Y'ALL !

Eduardo: I think the Serbia and Montenegro is not a good performance indicator for two reasons:

Serbia and Montenegro is good defending but after the first two goals they could not do that anymore. They never got into that situation (I think) in the qualifying and that was crucial for them.

Argentina has not been very stable. Neither before nor at the World Cup. Their preformance seems to change from match to match. Germany won 8:0 in one of their group matches in 2002 and after that they just barely did enough.

I think Germany has a good chance of beating Argentina.

How strong is Argentina if they can't beat Mexico after 90 minutes of play?!? Argentina vs Mexico was 1:1 after 90 minutes of play.

Argentina - you were considered favourites a bit too early. By myself, too :-) .

Now things have indeed changed.

Believe it or not: you are the underdogs now.

We are the favourites. And we have got a nation of 80 million behind us.

We know your qualities. We know your skills.

But, Argentina, we are Germans. We study, we calculate. We have studied you. We have got you figured out precisely.

We think precision is sexy. And it is. Precision is sexy!

Argentina, you may dance. But we, GERMANY, we will dissect you. Precisely. Rock you.

Well, precision alone might not be enough. But this time it comes with quite some drive. No more 'tanks',
no more 'machines' and all the like:
The stereotype-ridden description patterns produced by inert journalists from their cob-web-covered archives may be already printed, but they will be thwarted, will have to be revised.

Germany likes to host her friends. But it does not intend to allow her friends to get the better of her.

Deutschland, D e u t s c h l a n d, D E U T S C H L A N D !

Hi Rolf Habich:

I enjoy your comments. I am an American living in the US, but I support Germany. I wish the Germans will become the champions. I can recognize fantastic football when I see it, and the Germans are playing fabulously. It' s time for Philipp Lahm to slam a spectacular goal into Argentina's net. It's time for Ballack to slam a goal into Argentina's net. For Schweinsteiger too, for Odonkor too, for Frings too.

Do you know why Tornsten Frings used his hand in the match against Sweden? I was shocked to see him play with his hand. That's why he was given the yellow card. Did Frings give an explanation, in an interview?

yeah you might say that germany hasn't played against any "real" opponents, but then again the quote about argentina being the only one to be afraid of was 100% dead on. right now the ideal final would be argentina vs germany. both have shown superb form and their game has real quality to it. right now i'm inclined to believe that the semis will be brazil vs portugal (with portugese winning) and germany versus ukraine (with germany winning). the cup will stay in berlin.

i'm not german btw, and it wasn't long ago that i hated the german way of playing with all my heart.

Dear Rolf Habisch,

From one German to another: SHUT UP! Why don鈥檛 we let our squad 鈥榮how鈥� how good they are instead of having you blow a lot of rhetorical hot air across the channel. Our players are a young squad and were until recently indeed a big question mark. Fortunately, they have been able to win four in a row against respectable but not dominant teams. Beating historic power houses such Argentina or Italy would confirm that they really are a very good team. Until then, they (duly) remain a team still in need to proof themselves no matter how good they have been playing.
Furthermore, please take the world cup slogan to heart: 鈥淭he world as guests among friends.鈥� Do you see the word jack-[insert another word for 鈥榬ear end鈥橾 anywhere in there? Some modesty will go a long way!

Congratulations England on Sunday's victory.

I agree with Rolf that Germany is a 'Tuniermannschaft' but I am wondering where all the fans (not only the boulevarde press reporters and the 'Kaiser') have gone who would gladly have sent Juergen Klinsmann to hell just a few weeks ago! Hat's off to the man who lives in California, but has created a German collective that displays true grit, determination and skill.

The game with Argentina could go either way, depending on the break of the ball. If Germany loses, this will not be for lack of effort, and it will not diminish one iota Klinsmann's achivement. German fans (even if they have had to eat their 'Hut') are right to be optimistic. But a defeat to this Argentinian side is no dishonour and I hope, should this happen, the naysayers will not emerge from the wooodwork and play the blame game.

England fans, on the other hand, are scratching their heads in bewilderment. When will Frank Lampart finally get over the ball instead of under or around it? Anyone who has seen him play in the Permier league cannot believe the transformation. Sometime, Frank has to come good. And Steven Gerrard -- well he has struck once, but anyone who watched the display he put on in Istanbul in the Champions Leeague final cannot be under any illusion that when push comes to shove, Steve will be a guy in the spotlight. Lampart, Gerrard and Beckham can turn a game in an instant of individual brilliance.

To win the World Cup, one needs to beat opponents who have studied in every detail every game the adversary has played. In this respect, England have an advantage. Watching the videos of their games, the wonder is they are still in the tournament.

Possibly -- only possibly -- Germany, in their jubilant demolition of Sweden have revealed a little bit too much of their strength. Against Argentina, Lucas Podolski as well as Miroslav Klose will acquire 'special attention'.

A 'Turniermannschaft' that goes on to win 'plays possum'. The teams who have done this best, whether by accident or design, are Brazil, Italy and England. For all that he is pilloried in the press, Sven Goran is not an idiot. He did not name to the squad by accident a novice, Theo Walcott, whom no opposing coach has seen kick a ball.

No predictions, mind you, and I wish Germany the very best. The hot money is on an Argentina - Brazil final, but who knows. It may come down to another Germany-England classic. If so, may the best team win.

Jim: I think Klinsmann offended several of the big people in germany with things he did. The tabloid BILD was not given exclusive information anymore as they always had been before (they got the lineup the day before the match). He broke up with arrangements that had been made by his predecessor with different Bundesliga clubs and accused the coaches collectively of using old fashioned training methods. He also fired one of his assistant coaches.

With so many potential enemies and little or no experience with coaching (he got the coaching licence when he took the job) he had a tough stand.

The german public is very critical of the national coach in and the expectations are extremely high. Given the history of the team everything below the quarterfinals would be a dsiappointment and would be blamed on the coach. I don't think the fans themselves have been more critical before this turnament.

over the years since 1986 i been argantina fan but, i dont know i became garmany fan since this world cup started good luck garmany i am with you
guuled from somalia

I for one am a little tired with the constant attacks on Beckham. We`ve won, again, and if I remember correctly he`s played a part in every England goal so far. Who would replace him? Lampard is a quality player yet failed to deliver yet again, yet I hear no calls to drop him. The team responds to and respects Becks, and although I`m not his biggest fan I believe he should be given a break by the media. Typical English press - knock and criticise at the exact point you should be behind your captain. Go Sven, go David, go England!

I enjoyed the English fans in the city yesterday. great party at the fan fest. But the match disappointed me. Both teams played incredible bad. Even the English fans didn't sing so much as usually.
England can only do better in the quarter final.

The WC is a big party in Germany. The Germans seem to get a normal attitude towards their country, their flag and patriotism. Beside our history, we can be proud to be Germans by now. There is great enthusiasm in Germany. I hope this will last after the WC.

So long. The party shall not end on 9th of July.

The Frankfurt Fan Fest at MainArena closed at 13:30h for the 17:00h match for congestion. Nonetheless, there were 80,000 fans in an area originally laid out for 25,000!!!

Frankfurt has got the best fan fest of the World Cup!

Martin,
to answer your last question, they will. I checked out my crystal ball ;-)
cu in Berlin on July 9th

what i think is though as of now france looks the weakest of all teams they will surely show their talents and reach the finals and also England will do their best.as far as brazil are concerned they will lose somewhere quiet unexpected early.

I agree with Martin.