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Who will England face in the final?

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davids said:
I've enjoyed the competition,when I thought I wouldn't. Interesting to see Georgia and Slovakia etc showing well. I probably biased but Spain have looked far away the best team.
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Being the best side in the groups and last 16 is usually the kiss of death.

I agree with you, btw, but there will be a lot of criticism in the direction of Spain if they get blown out on Friday...
 
Woolverhampton_Blue said:
How will the Germans view their chances against Spain?
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When you beat Brazil 7-1 in their own backyard, and Messi's Argentina 4-0, you'll back yourself against anyone.

The Germans have the height of regard for Spain - but they'll think they can win. They're not hyping their side or really letting go a la 2006. I think they suspect they are not quite good enough at the moment. But if they do beat Spain, the expectation will definitely ratchet up.
 

Drico said:
When you beat Brazil 7-1 in their own backyard, and Messi's Argentina 4-0, you'll back yourself against anyone.

The Germans have the height of regard for Spain - but they'll think they can win. They're not hyping their side or really letting go a la 2006. I think they suspect they are not quite good enough at the moment. But if they do beat Spain, the expectation will definitely ratchet up.
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How are these of any relevance 10-14 years later?
 
Nymzee said:
How are these of any relevance 10-14 years later?
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They provide a muscle memory of self belief. We've all seen fine teams come acropper because they didn't really believe they could win. Germany's football history means they never suffer from that. If you beat them, you beat them on the pitch, rarely in the head.

The reality is this team is more used to losing big games, but among ordinary people here Germans believe they can win things. And why wouldn't they. They often do.
 
Drico said:
When you beat Brazil 7-1 in their own backyard, and Messi's Argentina 4-0, you'll back yourself against anyone.

The Germans have the height of regard for Spain - but they'll think they can win. They're not hyping their side or really letting go a la 2006. I think they suspect they are not quite good enough at the moment. But if they do beat Spain, the expectation will definitely ratchet up.
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Germans I've spoken to regard Spain as a bit of a bogey side. Have Germany ever beaten Spain in a major tournament? I don't think they have in my lifetime
 
Drico said:
I hope not. Not that I don't want to see England winning - let's face it, I don't - but I have no problem with England winning a European Championship if they beat the best of the rest. At this tournament, they might have to play one single side - in the final - who would be regarded as "the best". Simply due toa ridiculous quirk of the format and a lucky draw.

I'd take my hat off to England if they beat the big boys to take the title, but a run of Slovakia, Switzerland, and Austria to have a puncher's chance in the final doesn't exactly impress.

Still, I suppose English people will take what they get. There's going to be some embarrassed faces, though, if the players and manager they've been pilloring for weeks bring back the bounty...
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Have you forgotten that France and Belgium were in England's side of the draw? The fact that they came second meant that they went into the other side. That's got nothing to do with the 'quirk of the format and a lucky draw'.

You do seem to be overly interested in England. It's all a bit weird.
 

Billy Dean said:
Germans I've spoken to regard Spain as a bit of a bogey side. Have Germany ever beaten Spain in a major tournament? I don't think they have in my lifetime
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1988 in Munich in the decisive group match. 2-0 Rudi Völler (2).

They also beat Spain 2-0 in the 1976 quarter-final over two legs.
 
Billy Dean said:
A little while ago then. Although I'd guess they've only met about 3 times since then
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Absolutely. Spain have had the better of it since then - 2008 and 2010.

And people forget the epic 1984 group match when a last-minute Maceda goal shocked and elimated West Germany, who were reigning European champions.

I think Spain will continue their recent run on Friday, mainly because I think they have a few better players than Germany right now.
 
And West Germany eliminated Spain from their own World Cup in 1982. Time for revenge?
 

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