Euro 2012 Qualifiers

[Dodomeki]

Loew toughens up Germans´ Euro 2012 plans


Loew toughens up Germans´ Euro 2012 plans

1 December 2010

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Germany coach Joachim Loew, seen here on November 16, said Tuesday he wants a tough warm-up programme for his team in the build-up to Euro 2012 with plans in the pipeline to face World Cup finalists Holland.

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BERLIN (AFP) - Germany coach Joachim Loew said Tuesday he wants a tough warm-up programme for his team in the build-up to Euro 2012 with plans in the pipeline to face World Cup finalists Holland.

With Germany five-points clear at the top of Euro 2012 qualifier Group A, the Euro 2008 finalists look set to qualify as group winners for the European Championships to be held in the Ukraine and Poland in 18 months.

If Germany qualify directly, they are set to play Holland in November 2011 followed by a match against the Ukraine. Then in February 2012, they are set to face France, but no dates or venues have been set yet for any of those games.

"We want to test ourselves against the strongest possible sides," Loew told German daily Bild. Germany's next game is a friendly against Italy in Dortmund on February 9 and they play South American giants Brazil in Stuttgart in August 2011, as well as six more Euro 2012 qualifiers next year.

They will also play Uruguay in May 2011 in a re-match of their third-placed play-off at the World Cup in South Africa before concluding their Euro 2012 campaign against Belgium next October.

 

[Dodomeki]

Loew backs Ballack to return to Germany colours


Loew backs Ballack to return to Germany colours

12 December 2010

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Germany football player Michael Ballack, seen at a news conference, can win back his place in the national side as he looks to return from injury next month, coach Joachim Loew has repeated.

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BERLIN (AFP) - Coach Joachim Loew has repeated his belief that Germany veteran Michael Ballack can win back his place in the national side as he looks to return from injury next month.

The 34-year-old was ruled out of the World Cup with an ankle injury in May and then fractured his leg just below the knee-cap on only his third game back while playing for Bundesliga club Leverkusen.

Ballack is expected to return in mid-Janaury after the Bundesliga's winter break. In his absence, Real Madrid's Sami Khedira has forged a midfield partnership alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger in the national side.

But Loew expects Ballack to force his way back and add to his 98 caps for Germany, having scored 42 goals. "I know he has the ambition to continue playing for the national team and he doesn't want to finish on this note," said Loew.

"He has dropped out through no fault of his own. "Now we have to see if he can reach the sort of form in the next six months that can help us. "If he can give some new impetus to the team, then we are all looking forward to seeing that. I trust him."

Loew refused to be drawn whether Ballack would take over the captaincy from Philipp Lahm if he returns. "Everything has already been said on all topics relating to Ballack," said Loew. "Now we have to wait for further developments."

Loew added he has been impressed with Ballack's Leverkusen team-mate Sidney Sam and is considering promoting the attacking midfielder with Germany due to face Italy in a friendly on February 9 in their next game. "He could be a candidate. He has played well in recent months, he is fast, is a strong dribbler and has a good finish," said the coach.

Germany are top of Group A in their qualification campaign for Euro 2012 with four wins from four and have a five-point lead at the top of the table.

 

[Dodomeki]

Spain's Casillas scared by Germany

HERZOGENAURACH, Germany (Reuters) - Germany are on course to replace Spain at the top of world football and are the only real threat to their dominance, Spain captain Iker Casillas said on Wednesday.

"The only team I am scared of and I've got respect for is Germany," Real Madrid goalkeeper Casillas told Reuters Television during an awards ceremony in Germany.

Spain are the European and World champions. They beat Germany in the Euro 2008 final and again in the 2010 World Cup semi-finals.

But Casillas said the young German squad, which won over many fans with exciting World Cup demolitions of England and Argentina, was on its way to the top.

"I like Germany a lot. At the last World Cup, Germany were my favourites," he said. "They are European rivals, they are young, they have got great players.

I think they are going to set the standard for football at international level in a couple of years, when Spain are probably not up there at the top," Casillas added.

Germany clinched third place in the World Cup in South Africa this year, fielding their youngest squad at a major tournament in 76 years with an average age of under 25.

 

[Dodomeki]

Germany can win Euro or World Cup - Loew


Germany can win Euro or World Cup - Loew

20 December 2010

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Germany´s coach Joachim Loew watches during their Euro 2012 group A qualifying football match against Azerbaijan at Rheinenergie Stadium in Cologne, Germany on September 7. Loew has said his side can win Euro 2012 or the 2014 World Cup after showing itself to be one of football´s most consistent teams in recent years.

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BERLIN (AFP) - Germany coach Joachim Loew said on Monday his side can win Euro 2012 or the 2014 World Cup after showing itself to be one of football's most consistent teams.

"My gut feeling ... is that our team can win a title in 2012 or in 2014," Loew told sports weekly Kicker in an interview.

"Looking back, together with Spain we really are one of the most consistent teams. In the last two years our performances have got better and better ... It's only when this happens that you can win championships."

Germany finished third in the World Cup in South Africa earlier this year, demolishing England 4-1 and Argentina 4-0 in some of the tournament's most exciting football. They lost to eventual winners Spain in the semi-finals.

Germany have four wins from four qualifiers for Euro 2012, due to be held in Ukraine and Poland, and are top of Group A with a five-point lead over their rivals.

Loew, whose trademark "lucky" blue cashmere sweater worn during the World Cup sold for one million euros (1.3 million dollars) for charity on Saturday, also rejected accusations there were too many youngsters in the side.

"I have ascertained that quality and technical ability are more important than experience. I don't care if someone is only 18 and has only played 10 Bundesliga games," Loew said. "I measure players but what they can they do and by what possibilities I see for them."

In 2011, they face Italy in a friendly in Dortmund, western Germany on February 9 and then South American giants Brazil in August at home, as well as five more Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Loew also said that the Italy clash would be too early for Ballack - who would have captained Germany in the World Cup but for injury - to return to the side.

"I know from talking to him that he is really fighting to make a comeback and wants to remain as a player in the national side," Loew said. "But he was injured for half a year.

We have to give him some time to return to form ... He is not fully back in training with the team (Bayer Leverkusen) and before February 9 there are only four Bundesliga games."

Ballack returned to the Bundesliga at the start of the season after four years with English side Chelsea, and joined Leverkusen, but a serious knee injury on only his third game back saw him miss the rest of 2010.

Last week he accused Philipp Lahm, who captained Germany in the World Cup, of a lack of "respect" after the Bayern Munich defender said he hoped to stay in charge even if Ballack came back.

In his absence, Bayern star Bastian Schweinsteiger and Real Madrid's Sami Khedira have formed a strong midfield partnership for the national side and Ballack has admitted he may struggle to win back his place.

 

[Dodomeki]

No Germany place for Ballack

5 February 2011

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Germany captain Michael Ballack has been left out of Joachim Loew's squad to face Italy on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old missed his country's 2010 World Cup campaign with an ankle problem before fracturing his leg in September. He returned for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen in January, but Loew was in no hurry to rush the midfielder back into the national squad for the friendly.

"I am happy Michael is back after the two injuries. He looks to be finding his rhythm. But we both know it will take some more time," Loew said. Germany host the Azzurri in Dortmund, with Philipp Lahm expected to wear the captain's armband in Ballack's absence.

Germany squad: Manuel Neuer (Schalke), Rene Adler (Bayer Leverkusen), Dennis Aogo (Hamburg), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Holger Badstuber (Bayern Munich), Jerome Boateng (Manchester City), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Arne Friedrich (Wolfsburg), Heiko Westermann (Hamburg), Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Mesut Oezil (Real Madrid), Christian Traesch (Stuttgart), Mario Goetze (Borussia Dortmund), Sven Bender (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund), Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich), Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (Cologne).

 

[Dodomeki]

Australia name squad for Germany friendly

14 March 2011

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Australia coach Holger Osieck has named a squad of 17 for the international friendly against Germany in Monchengladbach in two weeks' time.

The squad includes 15 players who were part of the Socceroos side that finished runners-up at this year's AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.

Striker Nikita Rukavytsya returns to the squad after last being selected for the international friendly against Slovenia while Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak receives his first senior international call-up.

Striker Scot McDonald and young midfielder Tommy Oar are the most notable absentees, while goalkeeper Adam Federici appears to have lost his place as back-up keeper to Langerak.

Veterans Vince Grella and Mark Bresciano are also missing.

Brisbane Roar captain Matt McKay and Melbourne Victory striker Robbie Kruse are the only two A-League-based players in the squad.

Germany, who finished in third place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, are ranked third in the FIFA World Rankings and most recently drew 1-1 with Italy in a friendly match last month.

Socceroos squad: Tim Cahill (Everton FC, England), David Carney (Blackpool FC, England), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers, England), Brett Holman (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands), Mile Jedinak (Genclerbirligi SK, Turkey), Harry Kewell (Galatasaray SK, Turkey), Neil Kilnenny (Leeds United FC, England), Robbie Kruse (Melbourne Victory, Australia), Mitchell Langerak (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Jon McKain (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia), Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar, Australia), Lucas Neill (Galatasaray SK, Turkey), Sasa Ognenovski (Seongnam Ilhwa, Korea Republic), Nikita Rukavytsya (Hertha Berlin, Germany), Mark Schwarzer (Fulham FC, England), Carl Valeri (U.S. Sassuolo Calcio, Italy), Luke Wilkshire (FK Dinamo Moscow, Russia)

 

[Dodomeki]

Spain trio to miss qualifiers

23 March 2011

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Cesc Fabregas, Carles Puyol and Pedro Rodriguez have withdrawn from Spain's Euro 2012 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Lithuania.

Spain host the Czech Republic in Grenada on Saturday before travelling to Kaunas four days later to face Lithuania, and will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten run in the qualifying rounds.

But the reigning world and European champions will need to do so without the services of Arsenal talisman Fabregas and Barcelona duo Puyol and Pedro, all of whom are unavailable due to injury.

Spain coach Vincente del Bosque has called up Valencia winger Juan Mata along with Athletic Bilbao team-mates Andoni Iraola and Javi Martinez as cover.

World Cup winners Mata and Martinez return to the national side after missing Spain's friendly against Colombia last month due to Under-21 duty, while Iraola has not appeared for his country since winning the last of his four caps against Austria in November 2009.

Spain lead Group I with nine points from three games.

 

[Dodomeki]

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[Dodomeki]

Spain still on top as Brazil, Italy rise

13 April 2011

World champions Spain have retained their lead at the top of the FIFA world rankings, while Brazil and Italy have made significant ground.

Spain continue to hold down the number one spot courtesy of their unbeaten record in Euro 2012 qualifying which sees them top Group I by six points.

The Netherlands, runners-up in the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa, are second.

Brazil have moved up two spots to reclaim a berth inside the top three, while Germany and Argentina have each fallen one place to fourth and fifth respectively.

England remain in sixth place.

Italy, 2006 World Cup champions, jumped two places to ninth to return to the top 10 after an absence of seven months.

Their improvement has come at the expense of Greece, who have fallen to 12th.

Some of the biggest movers inside the top 50 this month include Israel (33rd, up 25 places), Belgium (37th, up 25), Albania (50th, up 23) and Algeria (40th, up 15).

 

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[Dodomeki]

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[Dodomeki]

Van Persie targets Euro 2012 glory

18 May 2011

Netherlands attacker Robin van Persie believes the Dutch need to prove how good they are and win the European Championships next year.

Bert van Marwijk's team will be looking to break a drought and win the competition for the first time since 1988 when it begins in Poland and Ukraine in June 2012.

Van Persie said on Wednesday the Netherlands were more than capable of matching it with world champions Spain.

"I think, with Spain, we are one of the favourites for that tournament," he said. "It's up to us to prove that we are that good."

The Arsenal man said it was a matter of keeping the squad healthy and hitting form at the right time, similar to what they did at last year's World Cup when they lost 1-0 to Spain in the final.

"Being fit is really important to grow into a tournament like we did last time," van Persie said.

"You can't play six or seven great games at a big tournament. You have one or two or three games that are at that level that everyone expects."

The Dutch have won all six of their Group E qualifying games and will be looking to record their first major championship win since Marco van Basten topped the scoring charts to lead them to glory 23 years ago.

 

[Mats Hummels]

2nd September 2011

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[Mats Hummels]

 

[Mats Hummels]

Euro 2012 qualifying wrap: Greece stay top, Germany advance

3 September 2011

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Greece retained top spot in Group F of Euro 2012 qualifying after a 1-0 victory over Israel, while Croatia also won on Friday. A 60th-minute winner from Sotiris Ninis was enough to give Greece an important win in Tel Aviv, keeping them top of the group on 17 points. Croatia kept the gap at one point after a comfortable 3-1 win at Malta.

First-half goals from Ognjen Vukojevic and Milan Badelj had the visitors 2-0 up before Michael Mifsud pulled one back, but Dejan Lovren sealed the three points in the 68th minute.
In the group's other game, Aleksandrs Cauna hit the winner for Latvia in their 1-0 victory over Georgia. A 41st-minute goal from midfielder Igor Semshov sent Russia top of Group B with a 1-0 win over Macedonia. They go first in the group, after Slovakia and Ireland played out a scoreless draw in Dublin.

In the other game, Marcos Pizzelli, Gevorg Ghazaryan and Henrikh Mkhitaryan all netted in Armenia's 3-0 win over Andorra. Finland recorded their third win in Group E after a 4-1 thrashing of Moldova, while the Netherlands obliterated San Marino 11-0 in a record-breaking result, with Arsenal striker Robin van Persie netting four.

In the other Group E clash, Hungary moved level on points with second-placed Sweden with a 2-1 win over their group counterparts in Budapest. Midfielder Kasper Hamalainen hit a double, while Hannover striker Mikael Forssell scored from the penalty spot and Igor Armas put in an own goal, before Serghei Alexeev scored a consolation for Moldova.

In Group A, Azerbaijan snatched a shock 1-1 draw against Belgium. Rauf Aliyev cancelled out Timmy Simons' 55th-minute penalty as Azerbaijan secured the unlikeliest of points.
Germany secured their path to the finals with a 6-2 triumph over Austria. Meanwhile, Arda Turan struck a late winner as Turkey overcame Kazakhstan 2-1.

Burak Yilmaz and Ulan Konysbayev had exchanged goals before the Atletico Madrid attacker popped up to score a stoppage time winner. Liechtenstein remain bottom of Group I after playing out a 0-0 draw in Lithuania.

In Group C, Italy, Estonia and Serbia all racked up away victories, with the 2006 World Cup winners hardly convincing in their 1-0 defeat of the Faroe Islands. Estonia beat Slovenia 2-1, and Serbia accounted for Northern Ireland 1-0. France remain top of Group D after a 2-1 defeat of Albania, while Boznia-Herzegovina are hot on their heels in second spot after a 2-0 triumph away to Belarus.

Romania kept alive their chances of making the finals with a 2-0 away victory over Luxembourg. England coasted past Bulgaria 3-0 in their Group G affair, with all goals coming in the opening half, while Wales earned their first points of the qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win over Montenegro - the latter's first loss in the group.

Portugal and Norway remain level on points atop Group H after respective victories. Cristiano Ronaldo fired a brace in his nation's 4-0 away win over Cyprus, while the Norwegians edged Iceland 1-0 courtesy of a late spot-kick from Mohammed Abdellaoue.

 

[HedgeTrader]

Rooney top form this week. 3 goals for MU and 2 goals for Eng. Look like sure qualify already. Hope don't punture like last time.

 

[Alamaking]

Rooney top form this week. 3 goals for MU and 2 goals for Eng. Look like sure qualify already. Hope don't punture like last time.

Song Bor Dutch? 11 - 0, LOL