Euro 2008 : Group B

There is a striking similarity in the first matches that have been played in Groups A and B. Both the host teams lose their match to a solitary goal, and the much expected strong team in these groups easily win by scoring 2 goals :-)  

Both the host teams, Switzerland and now Austria, are struggling to make a mark in this tournament. I hope they get to score a goal at least !!! First match of Group B, between Austria and Croatia started on a freaky note, with Croatia getting a penalty kick in the 4th minute itself. From then on, it was a simple one sided attack game, with the hosts shooting wildly in the hunt for an equalizer. Football is a team game, where its so important to make short passes and keep the ball possession to generate any goal scoring opportunites. Austria needs to practice this basic tenet of football. The match itself was played very rough and was not delightful to watch.

   Germany are the inform team, among all the teams that I have seen till now. They are a definite team to reach the semis. Last, I saw them was in the World Cup, and they seem to have carried on their team bonding to this tournament as well. Klose and Podolski are teaming up again very well. They are quick movers and can easily break through the oppositions defense. As always, the German defense looks solid. With Lehmann guarding the German goalpost, it would be interesting to see if Germany concede any goal. They were clearly a notch ahead of Poland.

 Germany should easily lead this group. Poland havent quite impressed me much which makes me hope that Croatia would be the second team to qualify from this group.