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Euro 2008: Portugal vs. Germany (Who wins?)

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The European Championship quarterfinals kick off today with one of the better match-ups of the round as Portugal takes on Germany.

On one side is Portugal, which looked so dominant in group play before resting its starters in a loss to Switzerland. On the other side is Germany, pre-tournament favorites who stumbled in group play and must now knock off an in-form and rested opponent.

You have Cristiano Ronaldo facing off against Michael Ballack. You have Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho squaring off against Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski. You have Torsten Frings doing battle with Deco.

So here’s the question for you as we get closer to kick-off today. Who do you think will win? My money is on Portugal, which just looked better in the group stage and which still boasts Ronaldo, the best player in the world right now. I say Portugal wins, 2-1.

Now it’s your turn. Who do you think will win today and why? Share your predictions below and be sure to check back in for running commentary on today’s match later on today on SBI.

Comments

  1. Well…Germany certainly raised their level of play vs. the opening 3 games.

    Klose scores with his…. neck? Does that get your confidence back as a striker?

    The 2nd half could be special. Ronaldo gives up a goal, sets up another and misses a 3rd in by a foot. No German player can stay with his foot speed and skill on the ball at full pace.

    Best thing as none aligned fans we could of hoped for happened: Germany scored first.

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  2. Wow, I don’t think you can say that Portugal are chokers. Finalists in Euro 2004 and Semi-finalists in WC2006. I think Portugal plays to their overall talent level which is very high on offense but only average on defense.

    In any case, I’m looking forward to the match. 2-1 Portugal with Ronaldo held off the score sheet. Also, there will be at least one player sent off….just a hunch.

    Cheers,

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  3. If Germany actually come to play, then 2-1 to Germany. However, if they play as they did in their first 3 games, I’m saying 2-0 Portugal.

    Actually, make it 2-1, because I want Lucas Podolski to score again.

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  4. “DER WEG IST DAS ZIEL” to you too. 🙂 I’m just kidding, I have no idea what that means.

    Anyway, my prediction is… Portugal 2 – Germany 1

    Forca Portugal!

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  5. “DER WEG IST DAS ZIEL” to you too. 🙂 I have no idea what that means. Anyway, the final result will be… Portugal 2, Germany 1

    Forca Portugal!

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  6. Unless Germany raises it’s level of play significantly:

    Portugal 2-0 or 3-1.

    Germany has not displayed good form in the run up to the Euro’s or in none of it’s 3 games so far. Gomez has been horrible and Klose shows no belief in himself.

    Wish I could root for Portugal but I just can’t. Ronaldo- there is just something about him I can not stand. We have some great words in spanish to describe his type.

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  7. I think Portugal will have an easier time with Germany than Holland will with Russia.

    I don’t see anybody beating Croatia though, except perhaps Spain.

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  8. Anyone else hate Ballack? He’s so arrogant. Not that Ronaldo isn’t but I’m a Man U fan. What can I say. Portugal 3-2.

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  9. CO_Soccer_Fan-

    Sorry dude, Germany wins on paper.

    Got strikers for DAYS.

    Too bad none of em can score.

    This is why Portugal will win.

    Im with you KCO

    DER WEG IST DAS ZIEL!

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  10. ———–Podolski——-Klose———–

    Schwieny—Hitzlsperger—Ballack—Fritz

    Lahm—-Mertesacker–Metzelder–Westerman

    That’s Germany’s best team. If they play that team, I predict a 1-0 Germany win, or a 2-1 Germany win in extra time.

    Portugal’s defense is really overrated, and I still feel like the wingers of Christiano/Queresma/Nani/Simao need to prove it to me against a defense like Germany.

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  11. Portugal should win on paper. The key to Portugal’s game will the defensive line and how well they work together. If they bring their A game today, have no miscommunication errors then Portugal will win this game.

    Go Portugal! Portugal Ole!

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  12. I’m with Betinho all the way. This is gonna be another Portugal choke. The team has no heart and can’t play in close games. Deutschland!

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  13. Dont think we will see Gomez starting today, most likely itll be either Podolski up front or Kuranyi. As for the germans, the defense is the weakest bit so far as opposed to the mid/attacking. The biggest problem is not being able to string passes together, create chances and finish the chances that rarely occur. I think Frings will be off with Hitzlspeger in his place as i think Frings is injured and Schweinsteiger will be starting (godwilling) over Fritz. Wont make a difference with Ballack acting indifferent in the mid.

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  14. Portugal 2-0 over Germany

    Portugal has looked good and dangerous.

    Germany has looked like crap. They’ve beaten Poland and Austria and not looked good doing it.

    When your youngsters look like crap (yes, I’m talking about you Mario Gomez) and the experienced players aren’t bringing any creativity / dynamic play, you are toast.

    If Germany wins, it will be 1-0 with 10 men behind the ball and the goal scored on a set piece. Even if Germany plays this way, which I don’t think they will do, I still think Portugal has enough skill to get past them.

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  15. I say it depends one battle: Germany’s offensive players vs. Portugal’s defense. The Germans are always known to have good defenders and some of their midfielders (Ballack and Frings) lend a great deal to the defensive side of the ball too. If you look at Portugal’s roster, not only is their starting line-up loaded with attacking players but their bench includes the likes of Queresma and Nani. They have a boatload of attacking talent and flair.

    To win I think the Germans need to hold down their fort (which they are capable of doing) and give someone other than Gomez a chance. He’s been blowing chances recently and I think Schweinsteiger has shown that he can contribute a lot to the attack. The Portuguese, on the other hand, need to toughen it up on defense. The Germans are stereotypically big guys and good in the air. If it comes down to an aerial or physical battle between the German attack and the Portuguese defense, I don’t see anyone on the Portuguese team that would match up well with the stout members of the German attack

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  16. Portugal will out play them, but will they convert?? I hope so for the sake of the tournament. I guess everybody is thinking the Dutch will just cruise to the finals, I don’t see that happening. They’ll have a tough time with the Russians.

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  17. If Portugal scores early, it could rattle the normally unflappable Germans and creat a rout. But, the longer the Germans can keep Portugal off the board, the better chance they have of winning. That being said, Portugal 2-1 or 3-1.

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  18. With regards to lack of depth on Portugals bench, that will be the reason for their loss in the final and why Holland is the superior team.

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  19. Portugal finds ways to lose in big tournaments. Germany, like Italy, find ways to shwag their way to wins. I see this as one of those games. Germany in a tight one. I look for Germany to frustrate the hell out of Renaldo. He’ll be complaining and whining the whole game (he does that anyway though doesn’t he?). Final score 3-1 (Germany gets a goal in final minutes to put it out of reach).

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  20. Yeah as Dave said, Portugal is not undefeated to this point, they played their b team and lost to Switzerland. But I think they redeem themselves tonight and beat Germany 2-1. And I also think that Portugal will go to the final and face the Dutch. But I think that Portugal will win it for Big Phil as he exits stage left.

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  21. I parlayed Portugal over Germany and Netherlands over Russia. So my money is where my head is. Come on Portugal (I hate saying that)

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  22. Germany will win in extra time or penalties. Portugal have been overrated mainly because of Ronaldo and Germany have been flying under the radar. I admit the Germans haven’t been great, but they are very capable and they always step it up in the knockout rounds.

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  23. Dave-

    Thats just proof their bench isnt as deep or organized as their first team. It was their bench that played against Switzerland.

    Portugal will win.

    This pains me greatly as I live in little portugal and celebrations last 6 hours.

    I kid you not.

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  24. We look like garbage going into this. Im certain Portugal will prevail. Honestly, IF (an monstrous IF) Germany wins they then have the capability to win the whole thing but at this point in time they dont deserve it. Theyve should have redeemed themselves against Austria in a 5-0 romp but they barely mustered a win. I jsut dont see it happening. This is distinctly different from what i was crowing at the start of the tournament. I admit I was far off my friend.

    Am i wrong to suggest Portugal and Holland in the final with Holland taking the win?

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