Text from From Germany.info
Germany Upon Entering the European Stage
Germany's national soccer team enters the 14th UEFA European Football Championship with what must be conflicted emotions. They are ranked number 3 in the world by FIFA and are also the third-ranked team by the Euro's organizers. But they drew the so-called “Group of Death,” featuring juggernauts the Netherlands, Portugal and Denmark.
“Our aim has to be to win the European Cup. We know what we are capable of,” said Germany's star forward Mesut Özil after his side qualified for the European Championship in September. Unfortunately for Germany and Mesut, however, they landed in the afore-mentioned “Group of Death,” with the teams ranked number 4 (the Dutch), 9 (the Danish) and 10 (Portugal).
But don't count out Germany /klart att vi inte gör!/. The third-ranked national squad qualified with ease, and is led by an experienced core from Bayern, including captain Philipp Lahm, midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. The Bayern core is complemented by Sami Khedira and Özil from Real Madrid and young members like Mario Götze and André Schürrle
One of them, though, sees no reason to lack spirit: “When you cannot get motivated anymore,” Schweinsteiger, who missed the penalty kick in the Champions League final, said, “then you shouldn't do it anymore.” Guess athletes need short memories, too.
From Frankfurter Allgemeine:
Wer wird Europameister 2012?
7% Polen
2% Russland
3% Griechenland
1% Tschechien
11% Niederlande
2% Dänemark
34% Deutschland
2% Portugal
18% Spanien
3% Italien
2% Irland
2% Kroatien
1% Ukraine
1% Schweden
8% Frankreich
3% England
Germany Upon Entering the European Stage
Germany's national soccer team enters the 14th UEFA European Football Championship with what must be conflicted emotions. They are ranked number 3 in the world by FIFA and are also the third-ranked team by the Euro's organizers. But they drew the so-called “Group of Death,” featuring juggernauts the Netherlands, Portugal and Denmark.
 |
| Özil |
“Our aim has to be to win the European Cup. We know what we are capable of,” said Germany's star forward Mesut Özil after his side qualified for the European Championship in September. Unfortunately for Germany and Mesut, however, they landed in the afore-mentioned “Group of Death,” with the teams ranked number 4 (the Dutch), 9 (the Danish) and 10 (Portugal).
So Germany has quite the task ahead of them to merely survive the gauntlet of their opening group, much less reach the final, at which they may very well, once again, stare down reigning world and European champions Spain. In the last major tournaments in 2008 and 2010, Germany failed to get past the veritable all-star Iberian squad. The Spanish are right at form this year as well. Ranked tops in the world, Vicente del Bosque’s team is the odds-on favorite to win the title.
 |
| Världsspelaren Bastian Schweinsteiger |
But don't count out Germany /klart att vi inte gör!/. The third-ranked national squad qualified with ease, and is led by an experienced core from Bayern, including captain Philipp Lahm, midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. The Bayern core is complemented by Sami Khedira and Özil from Real Madrid and young members like Mario Götze and André Schürrle
In the end though, the niftiest skills of the body succumb to the intangible gridlock that can sometimes sully the mind. Could a team with so much talent stumble over their afore-mentioned, twisted-up emotions? In the practices and run-up to the event they've not exhibited anything but confidence and, following their coach, optimism. But what about motivation? All are coming off long seasons, some with lengthy title runs on international teams, and the eight guys from Bavaria have to get themselves back up after three big games in a row – all of which they lost.
One of them, though, sees no reason to lack spirit: “When you cannot get motivated anymore,” Schweinsteiger, who missed the penalty kick in the Champions League final, said, “then you shouldn't do it anymore.” Guess athletes need short memories, too.
Umfrage
From Frankfurter Allgemeine:
Wer wird Europameister 2012?
19844 Stimmen wurden abgegeben.
7% Polen
