Germany 4 - Greece 2: Blitzkrieg in Gdansk

Germany outclassed Greece for a 4-2 victory in their quarterfinal clash this evening in Gdansk.  The Germans were the heavy favorites, and their display warranted it.  The final score makes it appear closer than it was.  The Germans could have put ten past the Greek keeper.  However, the Greeks deserve credit for their effort.  They made it interesting when their brilliant counter attack leveled the game at 1-1 in the second half.  Unfortunately for them, they were just outmatched as the Germans scored three goals in the following twenty minutes.

The most intriguing part of the game was produced by Joachim Loew’s lineup selection.  Although Germany has not lost in two years, Loew benched Thomas Muller, Lukasz Podolski, and Mario Gomez, the tournament’s leading scorer.  In their place were several youngsters, Andre Schurrle and Marco Reus.  In addition, the veteran Miroslav Klose started up top.  I was shocked to say the least. 

Player Assessments:

GK – Manuel Neuer – Neuer was barely tested, but he played well.  He came out of net early and cleared a through ball during an initial Greek counter attack that would have resulted in a breakaway.

LB – Jerome Boateng – Awful.  His defending was very weak.  He was responsible for both Greek goals.  His marking on the initial goal was atrocious.  In addition, his hand ball that resulted in the penalty kick was terrible.  I think he will be on the bench when the semi-final game begins

CB – Holger Badstuber – He played well.  He was not great, but he did not have to be in this type of game.  He was rarely out of position and did not give the ball away.

CB – Mats Hummels – He was average.  He did not stand out for doing anything good or bad.

RB – Philipp Lahm – Lahm was brilliant.  His goal that broke the deadlock was reminiscent of his goal in the opening game of the 2006 World Cup.  He buried it into the far corner of the net.  He made attacking runs all night.  Defensively, he was rarely challenged.

LM – Andre Schurrle – Below Average.  Schurrle did not make the most of his opportunity.  For large periods of the first half he was non-existant. My guess is that Thomas Muller will be back in the starting lineup for the semi-final.

CM – Sami Khedira – Very good.  This was Khedira’s best game of the tournament.  His usual giveaways were limited this time around due to the lack of Greek pressure.  Defensively, he was all over the middle third of the field.  He was fortunate to score as his volley went off of his shin, but a goal is a goal.

CM – Bastian Schweinsteiger – Shockingly bad.  This was the worst game that I have watched Schweinsteiger play.  He looked slow.  He was not sharp.  He turned the ball over on numerous occasions.  I was very surprised that Loew left him on the field.  He should have been removed early in the game.  He looked like he had the flu.  For his sake, I hope that is the case.

CM – Mesut Ozil – Fantastic. Ozil was a delight to watch.  He created numerous opportunities for Germany. The Greeks gave him way too much space and time.

RM – Marco Reus – Very good.  Reus had a very strong Euro 2012 debut.  He has very good pace.  He was a threat throughout the entire game and was rewarded when he rocketed a volley into the upper corner of the net in the 74^th minute.

F – Miroslav Klose – Good.  Klose ran all over the field.  As usual, he scored in a Germany jersey.  He is tireless.

Germany looked great.  Regardless of their opponent, the semi-final will be a much different game. 

By Jeff Graceffo