Posted on 06/14/2006 5:46:34 AM PDT by soccer_maniac
The first cycle of group play in the FIFA World Cup comes to a close on Wednesday with all four Group H teams in action, Spain taking on Ukraine at 8:55 a.m. ET (ESPN2) and Saudi Arabia facing Tunisia three hours later (also on ESPN2). Then Cup hosts Germany start the second series of matches in the groups when they face neighbors Poland in Dortmund.
Spain finally get a chance to get the ball rolling in Leipzig, facing a Ukraine team looking for a result in its first-ever World Cup match. But just because the Eastern Europeans are new on the world stage doesn't mean they don't have the talent to make an impact. In fact, they were the first team apart from the hosts to secure passage to the World Cup, topping a difficult Group 2 that also included Denmark, European champions Greece and a Turkey team that finished third in the World Cup four years ago.
Ukraine also boasts one of the most deadly strikers in the world in Andrei Shevchenko, a new arrival to London's Chelsea FC after a stunning career at AC Milan. However, "Sheva," as he is known, has been battling a knee injury and it remains to be seen if he will be in the starting 11.
Shevchenko isn't the only lethal striker that will be on the field; Spain has several of their own, as well, including Real Madrid legend Raul. Arsenal striker Jose Antonio Reyes is also a danger and could start, especially since Spain coach Luis Aragones often lines his side up in a 4-3-3 formation. Spain is looking to break their World Cup curse in Germany, having never advanced to the final in the competition.
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Looking forward to the Germany-Poland game.
Second round, and the drama increases. The Poles are desperate to get a win after their loss in the first game.
Bring it on.
Poland has not yet perished!
Go Bialo-Czerwone!!!!
Looks like Ballack will be in the starting 11. This one promises to be tense and exciting. Can't wait....
Ukraine caught a "hugh" break when Tunisia - Saudi Arabia drew. They can now go through by beating both of those teams, which is entirely possible.
If you stare at that picture long enough you'll eventually see a doll with an England shirt on.
73 deg
LIVE NOW: GERMANY-POLAND
How things stand On the back of that 4-2 win over Costa Rica in the Opening Match, confidence levels are high in the German camp. Victory against Poland would leave Jurgen Klinsmann's team with one foot in the last 16 and the three-time champions have been boosted by the news that captain Michael Ballack should be fit to play after missing the win over the Ticos with a calf injury. Poland, on the other hand, suffered a demoralising 2-0 defeat by Ecuador and another loss would ensure that they make another early exit.
Past meetings Germany and Poland have met on 14 occasions, with the Mannschaft yet to taste defeat, having racked up an impressive 26 goals and conceded just seven en route to recording ten wins and four draws. The teams have also already faced each other twice at the FIFA World Cup™ finals. At West Germany 1974, the host nation beat Poland 1-0 in the semi-final, while four years later in Argentina the teams drew 0-0 in a group match. Germany and Poland last met on 4 September 1996 in the Polish town of Zabrze, when goals from Oliver Bierhoff and Klinsmann enough to see them through 2-0.
The key contest The battle between the German defenders and the Polish strikers should be a good one. The free-scoring host nation reported no attacking problems against Costa Rica, but at times they looked a little nervous in defence.
Poland strikers Maciej Zurawski of Celtic and Borussia Dortmund’s Ebi Smolarek went home empty-handed after the Ecuador game and will be itching to find the net this time around, particularly as Smolarek will be playing in his home stadium. His 13 Bundesliga goals in season 2005/06 should guarantee that the German defence will not take lightly the threat he poses.
Let's Play!
We are at the point where every team has played once. Quick impressions by Group:
A - Ecuador was a surprise winner over Poland and now must be favored to advance along with Germany. Poland must get a result against Germany to have any hope.
Germany & Poland to go through
B - England is the luckiest team in the Cup so far having scored via an own goal, played well below their standards, failed to put Paraguay away but in the end hanging on and then benefitting from T&T's (Cup sentimental favorites in the first set of games) shock draw with Sweden. A win over T7T puts England through.
England & Sweden to go through
C - No surprise here -- Argentina and Holland will go through.
D - No surprise here either - Mexico and Portugal to go through.
E - Again, no surprise here, although the poor showing by Team USA was unexpected. Italy & Czech Republic to go through.
F - A somewhat more uncertain group. Brazil failed to put Croatia away and played well under their capabilities. The Aussies managed a great late comeback. Brazil to definitely go through -- but they look far from invincible in this Cup. Aussies likely to join them.
G - The "Group of Mirth" -- with France failing to score in their fourth straight Cup match, Switzerland finally having a clean sheet after 22 matches giving up at least one goal, and South Korea having a lot of trouble with a Togo team that has a Nogo coach. Anything is possible in this group -- but South Korea and -- surprise -- Switzerland will go through. France, however, is capable of turning around and winning this group if they can restart their constipated offense.
H - Spain was very impressive with a 4-0 win over Ukraine, who suffered a dubious red card. Ukraine benefitted from the late equalizer by Tunisia and along with Spain should go through.
The first sixteen matches actually featured very few shocking results. Will this continue, or will a World Cup Power get tripped up and fail to make the round of sixteen?
Not worth the complaint. Ukraine gave up a couple of deflected goals early but despite the ridiculous penalty issued and a red card showed more in blazing heat playing a man down than the US did against the Czechs.
God Bless the US team I love them but the last match was awful.
Holy Goal Kick Batman!
Poland spending lots of time on the ground
Ouch. Klose usually eats those balls for breakfast. What a miss.
Come on Poland, you've got to take advantage of your opportunities!!!
53% - Germany
47% - Poland
Poland already with 2 yellow cards (Krzynowek, Sobolewski)
Poland looks like they can get chances top of the box in the middle. Looking like lots of space on the counter.
Germany has blown a golden opportunity. Here comes another counter.
I'm purprised Lizol isn't over here rooting for Poland.
Lizol - Come on over!
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