Euro 2008 - Mystic Matthaeus: Group B

Eurosport - Thu, 12 Jun 13:14:00 2008

Former Germany captain and Eurosport's expert pundit Lothar Matthaeus turns his thoughts to the second round of Group B Euro 2008 action.

FOOTBALL Germany Deutschland Allemagne Ballack - 0

Matthaeus, a World Cup winner with West Germany in 1990 and the most capped German player of all time, will be giving us his thoughts on every game throughout the three-week long tournament.

And he is certainly well placed to do so - as well as featuring at five World Cups, the former World and European Player of the Year has appeared at four European Championships, winning one, in 1980.

The Germany legend sees his countrymen facing Croatia and co-hosts Austria playing Poland.

CROATIA 2-2 GERMANY

"Croatia have a good team, they proved that in recent years, and they will make life hard for the Germans.

"On the other hand the Croats have problems in defence; Robert Kovac didn't have a good season with Dortmund. So I think there will be goals on both sides."

Disciplinary situation: Suspended - none

Misses next match if booked - Robert Kovac (Croatia), and Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)

Changes: There are no suspensions or injuries on either side, but Croatia forward Ivan Rakitic is set to replace out-of-form striker Mladen Petric and play in a deeper role behind Ivica Olic. Germany are expected to name an unchanged team from their opening 2-0 win over Poland.

Key stats: Croatia's only win over Germany in the post-independence, post-unification era came at the 1998 World Cup quarter-finals. Current Croatia coach Slaven Bilic played in that 3-0 winning team alongside current squad member Dario Simic.

Germany beat Croatia 2-1 in the quarter-finals en-route to winning Euro '96. Bilic was also in the Croatia team but could not stop Matthias Sammer's winning goal.

AUSTRIA 1-1 POLAND

"They are the two outsiders and therefore a draw will help neither of them.

"Nevertheless the Polish are a bit stronger equipped, a bit more experienced internationally, but the Austrians have the home advantage.

"I think both teams will do themselves a favour with a draw."

Disciplinary: Suspended - none

Misses next match if booked: Emanuel Pogatetz (Austria), Sebastian Proedl (Austria), Juergen Saeumel (Austria), Ebi Smolarek (Poland), Mariusz Lewandowski (Poland)

Changes: Brazilian-born Polish forward Roger Guerreiro is the likely replacement for injured captain Maciej Zurawski, who could miss the rest of the tournament with a thigh injury picked up in the opening 2-0 defeat by Germany. Jakub Wawrzyniak could replace Pawel Golanski at left-back after the latter struggled in the loss to Germany. Austria forward Roman Kienast could replace Roland Linz who has recovered from a left ankle injury sustained in the 1-0 defeat against Croatia but did not impress in the match. Kienast played well after coming on and almost scored a late equaliser.

Key stats: Austria will hope to avoid joining Belgium (2000) as the only hosts not to reach the knockout phase of the finals. Poland won 3-1 the last time the teams met in Vienna.

The sides have never drawn a match together, with Austria winning four to Poland's three.

Eurosport

Comment 1 - 13 of 13

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  1. No one on Croatia could make England, huh? Well I guess the England coach should be fired then because Croatia is looking like England will be watching them play the quarters.

    From scott b, on Thu 12 Jun 5:54PM

  2. i hope Germany win. i also hope that Austria pass to the next round. it is a pity tat none of the hosts go into the quarter final

    From timzamm, on Thu 12 Jun 4:53PM

  3. i hope croatia lose to germany, as i think croatia are so overrated, i think owen was right when he said not one of their players would get into the england team,croatia only beat england home and away because of keeper errors. Their back 4 wont be able to cope with germanys stylish play.

    From jay8my, on Thu 12 Jun 3:57PM

  4. germany croatia poland austria hahahahah what drugs r u on, mr matthaeus?

    From thorgallpl, on Thu 12 Jun 3:24PM

  5. Matthaeus is just guessing like everyone else. GO Deutschland!

    From Dave J, on Thu 12 Jun 2:49PM

  6. lothar was great..but i think he has got this one wrong,,,Germany 2-0

    From LOUELLA P, on Thu 12 Jun 2:40PM

  7. WOW... Croatia 2-2 Germany...Matthaeus has lost his mind...Come back to earth Her. Matthaues...this new Germany team is not the one you destroyed 10 yrs ago...Maybe you are thinking of that team when reading this score...Why don't you try to see the Germany '90 in this new team instead like the rest of us...

    Germany will win, and i would love it they win 3-0...just for you Her. Matthaeus to get your faith back. Respect!

    From Rae, on Thu 12 Jun 2:17PM

  8. didsop - u what?

    From dominic_more, on Thu 12 Jun 1:23PM

  9. Boooriiinnngg... PODOLSKI is Best!

    From rbatayev, on Thu 12 Jun 12:42PM

  10. Spain..

    From rbatayev, on Thu 12 Jun 12:30PM

  11. Poor Swiss and Austria... :(

    From rbatayev, on Thu 12 Jun 12:27PM

  12. Lothar like the others is making superficial comments and is not bringing solution to ameliorate the game, he just make comments to stay in public eyes. He would be better to fight for a better game through cleaning the sport of all injustices, shame on foot it was invented to find new knights and have only pupets. Platini the worst he now sits at the head of UEFA and give credit to injusice and cheating behind falacious arguments that video would denature the game, indeed 2 first match would be a little bit harched due to the numerous fault and carton distributed but after no more fault because usueless catch everytime much more action and goals better sport.

    From didsop, on Thu 12 Jun 11:00AM

  13. Lothar really blew it yesterday, I hope today he is more accurate :)

    From Vlad L, on Thu 12 Jun 10:24AM
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