| 09.06.2008 |
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Hopefully the 2-0 win over Poland will finally put to bed those ridiculous claims that Joachim Loew is coasting along with the team Juergen Klinsmann built. Despite the fact that Loewie was the brains behind the attacking formation and tactics which turned Germany into an entertaining team, some people still see it as Klinsi's team due to the number of players still in the squad who featured under the former coach. One way to make sure everyone is clear that this is Joegi's team is for Loew to rebuild the side in his own image – starting with Bastian Schweinsteiger. While Loewie stands immaculate with his inky, smooth Toni & Guy hairdo, Schweini appears to have got a Saturday special at Frisur Salon Giselle, some small town hairdresser which specialises is bad dye jobs, perms and poodle crimping.My advice would be to get the boys in line, Joegi. Get them kitted out in the same Hugo Boss finery as the management and get that Schweinsteiger to sort his hair out. That'll show the world who's in charge. Watch Joegi try and bring a bit of style to his team. (In German) |
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| 09.06.2008 |
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| The fans and media in Germany will quite rightly lavish praise on a handful of heroes after their team's efficient but hardly earth-shattering win over Poland on Sunday night. Two-goal hitman Lukas Podolski can expect plaudits for his well taken double, his ability to adapt to the left-sided midfield role he is now being deployed in and the fact that he didn't ram his success down the throat of the country which bore him. Coach Joachim Loew will be lauded for finally putting an end to a woeful record in European Championships for Germany, a winless streak which went all the way back to the final of Euro 96. He will also enjoy having his managerial reputation enhanced by the 2-0 victory, despite the fact that his loyalty to Jens Lehmann almost backfired a couple of times and a couple of his choices in defense looked dubious. Michael Ballack might even receive some kudos for his performance which was commanding at times and displayed the kind of leadership which was lacking during some of the World Cup when his colleagues found their inspiration from other sources. The Germany captain showed the rediscovered drive and vision which had started to slowly return during the latter stages of this season's Premiership campaign. There will be others who get a pat on the back, namely the tireless Phillip Lahm and the unselfish Miroslav Klose, although the latter might also get a bit of stick for leaving his own shooting boots at home (whereas his striking partner Mario Gomez seemed to be wearing someone else's…and on the wrong feet).  But you will have to comb the columns of congratulations with a fine tooth comb to find a statement of respect for one of the most unsung of German heroes – Torsten Frings. Frings was quietly imperious on Sunday night - as he is on most occasions when he pulls on the Germany shirt. His is a thankless task but it one he takes on with ruthless professionalism. His is a role which often gets overlooked but becomes glaringly obvious when he isn't there to perform it – as in the 2006 World Cup semi-final defeat to Italy. Charged with breaking up the opposition's attack before it gets to the back four, Frings drops from his central midfield position within Loew's 4-4-2 to become a sweeper, almost taking on the role of libero, made famous by Franz Beckenbauer. In this deployment, Frings provides the opportunities for central partner Ballack to shine, allowing his captain to prowl and read the game for possibilities. Once back in possession, the Werder Bremen captain turns into the starting point for Germany's attack. Ballack moves into a higher midfield position, ready to execute headline-grabbing through balls or hone in on goal, while Frings quickly assesses the play and dispatches the ball to the necessary offensive catalyst. He then sews up the deep midfield while Germany push forward, always watching for the chance to burst onto the ball and either join the attack or close down an opponent should possession become lost.  Frings was that stocky, long-haired figure you may have seen snapping at the heels of Poland's harassed midfield on Sunday; the brief flash of white and black which dispossessed with a crunch before feeding a colleague and retreating from the camera's frame. He was that unassuming link in the long chain from defense to attack which helped the smooth transition from one to the other which Poland had trouble with from time to time. He was also the thundering hooves charging towards the opposition penalty box in support of Germany's strikers and the drenched locks heading the ball out of danger from a melee in front of his own goal.Germany's run in these European Championships will be reliant on the performances of many key players but a successful one may hinge on whether Torsten Frings remains fit and available for work throughout this tournament. |
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