Ronaldo and co are looking To Dismantle The Footballing Machine and Pave Their Way To The Last 16.

This is why I personally love soccer, two teams with complete different philosophies on the beautiful game, go head to head, in a fixtures that promises excitement and plenty of slow motions replays.

It’s Germany Vs Portugal its Ice cold passes and   calculated play systems vs.  individual skill  and  flair .  its Iceman vs. Maverick , its Bastian Schweinsteiger   calm , and collected  11 vs. Renaldo’s  hot headed  cocky  playboys.

Germany has a talent for systematically breaking teams down and slowly eating away at their ego, and they do it looking as casual as Michael Jackson on court day. Just ask Diego Madonna and Nikolas Otomendi, you haven’t heard of Nikolas? Neither had we before argentines quarter final game s against the Die Mannschaft in world cup 2010 . To make a long story short Germany picked out cherries form the argentines goals like an old lady at the fruit market.  Messi, Aguero mean while watched wondering when they will get a touch on the ball.  Germany have only managed 2 victories in their last 5 games, they did however mange to qualify for the tournament by wining all their fixtures, scoring 34 goals, 3 shy of Netherlands tally. 

Germany coach has praised their opponents in a press interview saying:

“Portugal is a team who can beat anybody, they have very good players who play for big clubs, and they have always been a top nation in tournaments.”"I don't just mean Cristiano Ronaldo, who of course has fantastic skills and can decide games on his own, but also Nani, Pepe; Portugal has a strong backbone and is technically very strong.

Cristiano Ronaldo will look to silence his critiques, who always point out his below par performances in international tournaments. having scored 7 times in the 8 qualifying games for Portugal he will look to add to his international goal tally as his currently level with Luis Figo at 32 goals .

They are called the Brazil of Europe for good reason, the Portuguese style of football is very technical, and skill full, individual effort is regarded highly, it was these ethics that produced players like Rui Costa, Luis Figo, and Cristiano Ronaldo as far as trophies are  concerned however the German way seems to be working very well.   The selccao have only managed one victory in their last 5 games in the last 17 time they have played Germany they have lost 8 won 3 and drawn 5 times .

Line Ups  

Per Mertesacker is a minor concern after taking a knock in training.Matt Hummels will be ready to fill in for the veteran defender if any complications were to arise on match day . 

Germany play a a great passing game , and mesut Ozil has the ability to unlock any defense with a sliding through ball. Mario Gomez has great physical presence and his mission will be to break free form pepe and run into the empty spaces for Ozil and  Schweinsteiger   to find him.look out for Gomez and Pepe epic battle ion front of Portugal goal . 

Nani being the only doubt to start Portugal have plenty of players to fill in for him , Porto's Valera has had a good season , and the manger is likely to give him a chance in case there are any openings for starting place . 

Portugal will utilize  the passing ability of Raul Meireles , and Ronaldo pace to try and catch Germany on the counter , Helder Postiga   classic Fox in the box , will be looking to hunt down the German defenders forcing them into mistakes . Portugal must keep possession if they want to beat the highly organised German team .  

Final Verdict 

Germany                    Portugal 

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Denmark face the Orange beast from the north as the star studded Dutch 11 look for easy pickings

The Danes surly have their work cut out for them; they are drawn in group B with Germany, Portegual and world cup finalist Netherlands. Upcoming player christen Erikson will be on his toes as he knows Manchester united and arsenal who both have been linked with the player will be watching. The Danes have managed three victories in their last five games, losing the Russia and Brazil consecutively. No real injury headache for the manger except  Midfielder Zimling who was put on a stretcher at the end of the Danish teams training.

 In a post match interview Danish coach Martin Olsen, commented: "Everything has already been said and written. We can say we are a little jealous of the Dutch team that we are not in their shoes, because they are the favorites. There is no doubt about that.

"They are a good team in all positions, and on the bench as well, they are filled with great quality."But while he was happy to cede the favorites tag to his rivals, Olsen promised no lack of fight on the pitch."The Dutch have become better since the last time we met but so have we. The Dutch are a team who will say if they do not win this title it will be an enormous disappointment, but I do not think we can say that. I think we will say if we can get through this group we will have won."We are playing against a better team.

The orange were the highest scoring side during the qualifiers managing an extraordinary feat of 37 goals In 10 games. With Shalke forward klass Jan Huntelaar finishing top scorer with 12 goals. That doesn’t get him a starting role as Robin Van persi‘s season with arsenal cemented his place in the Dutch national team. With players like Robben and Wesley Snijder feeding him passes, he is most likely to get on the score sheets multiple times during the tournament. Having won 3 games out of the 5 played the Dutch are heavily favored to win the competition.

Coach Bert Van Marwijk will be without the services of left back Joris Mathjisen as he recovering from a hamstring injury ,18 year old jetro williems is likey to start, as his introduction will make him the youngest ever player tp play in the competions history . 

Starting line ups 

the Danes will look to shut out Robben on the wing,as Agger and Simon Kajer will look to keep van Persi quiet during the game. creative force will try to avoid those nasty De jong Tackles in the midfield ,as he will look to find The ghostly Bendtner in Hollands 18yard box. Look out for Daniels Agger trying a few long shots ,as his got a thunderous left foot. 

with dirk Kuyt benched iIbrahim Afelay will have to work extra hard to provide cover for the young left back williems and put in the right crosses for van Persi to hit. Wesley Snijder did not have a good season  with Inter Milan this year, still his vision , and creativity are he drive behind the dutch teams current form , the dutch will look to give him the ball as often as they can , Holland play  a crisp passing game and will utilize their pace on the wings to neutralizer their opponents . looking out for Afelay trying a few fancy dribbles on the wing before a crisp cross into the 18 yard box .

Final Verdict 

Netherlands            Denmark

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