It is not often that Germany goes into a major tournament as a popular underdog. But if the three-time European champion reaches the Euro 2012 final against Spain in Kiev, there will be plenty of fans cheering for a German win.
Naturally, if Germany progress to the final in Ukraine’s impressively rebuilt Olimpiyskiy Stadium, it’s because they’ll have beaten Italy overnight.
Spain beats Portugal on penalties at European Championship
But even if it’s the Azzurri who take on defending World and European champions Spain, could anyone begrudge neutral fans for hoping to see a different name on the trophy?
After all, Spain could only manage a 1-1 draw with Italy during the group stage of the tournament and needed penalties to see off Portugal in their all-Iberian semi-final.
They might be the kings of possession football but the Spaniards haven’t exactly blown their opponents out of the water on their eastern European sojourn.
Italy have been their usual functional selves and were largely the better team in their quarter-final shoot-out win over England, but perhaps the most attacking side left in the tournament are Germany.
They’ve been an overtly attacking side since the World Cup in 2006 – a tournament in which Germany’s attractive style so readily pleased fans in the host nation.
Much was made then of Germany’s multicultural line-up but to anyone who has spent time in the country, the fact die Mannschaft has such a multi-ethnic composition comes as no surprise.
It’s more the fact Jögi Low has his team in sparkling attacking form which should give Spain coach Vicente del Bosque cause for concern, not least because Germany has so many interchangeable attacking weapons.
Mario Gomez might be their top scorer at the time of writing – ironically he also holds Spanish citizenship – but six other players had got on the scoresheet before Germany’s semi-final.
Some, like new Borussia Dortmund signing Marco Reus, are seen as the future of German football while others such as Arsenal-bound Lukas Podolski have been long-term mainstays of Low’s side.
And if they can get past an Italy side which kept clean sheets against the Republic of Ireland and England, Germany’s multi-faceted and oft-varying line-up may just have the weaponry to unlock a Spanish defence missing the lion-hearted Carles Puyol.
Whoever reaches the final, it will thankfully be screened on free-to-air TV on SBS after much of the tournament was hidden away on Setanta.
Pay TV is one thing but being forced to fork out extra for the Irish station is far from an ideal scenario for Australian football fans.
Maybe I’m just being sour because Setanta have ended their J. League coverage, but having being blown away by a Euro ’96 covered memorably on free-to-air, I’ve been largely underwhelmed by every European Championship ever since.
That’s partly because I now pay most of my attention to Socceroos and A-League fixtures, anyway.
Many Australians have ties with European countries – although personally I’m not one of them – but the more discussion there is surrounding the A-League and Australian football matters, the less I’m interested in what’s going on in Europe.
That said, I’ll still be tuning in to the European final and with no disrespect to Spanish fans, I hope to see someone other than Iker Casillas lift the trophy come Monday morning.
Clayton
Guest
Well, 4 years is a long time in football, and this kind of achievement over 4 years is mad. Utter utter stark raving bonkers. They will lose. At some point. But will it be because another team kept them to 0 - 0 and won a penalty shootout, or will another team look them in the eye and knock them off their perch?
Clayton
Guest
Cirque de soleil is a hell of a circus, and its touring right now.
Kasey
Guest
Perhaps you should ask cricket fans?
Cameron
Guest
Oh, yes, because the only place you can be entertained these days is at a circus, right?
Cameron
Guest
"It's time to end Spain's reign in Europe" Is this because it is making supporter's of the world game feel a little less worldly with one nation dominating the major competitions?
Clayton
Guest
A wise man once said "if you want to be entertained, go to a circus".
k77sujith
Guest
Spain may not win matches by racking up the goal count a la Brazil of the early noughties but, you have to credit them for having the courage to employ a unique formation and make up for the loss of Villa, Puyol and also the now-unpredictable Torres. However, I wish they'd give Llorente an opportunity. Yes, they haven't been at their fluid best at the Euros but have been consistent achieving the desired results, in the end, isn't that what matters? They might not win the finals but still rank amongst the best. No team can be perfect ever and each team has to play to their strenghts....just enjoy the brilliance of these guys who have created a rage with the touch n' go brand of football. Thanks.
Ben Carter
Roar Guru
Hi Mike - I had hoped for a GER-PTG decider. However, if memory serves, IF ESP does win, they will be the first country to ever win three consecutive continental championships/World Cup events. Ever. Pretty impressive any way you look at it. And yes, it would also probably ensure that Les Murray and Craig Foster both spend the next 24 months talking over and over about how brilliant Spain is. Which they are. But yeah, some people also don't mind seeing someone else win it occasionally. If Spain is victorious, hail them. A great effort. If it's Italy. Well, at least it's someone else.
Kasey
Guest
I can't believe I'm agreeing with a t@rd;), but I'm 100% with you MVDave. If Spain were to win the title, the threat is that their striker-less system could spread. That would be a blow for proponents of the beautiful game IMO. Spain have been painful to watch, that's why it as such a breath of fresh air to watch Balotelii beast the German defence this morning. I still haven't forgiven Italy for 2006, but I'd rather they win with Super Mario blowing the Spaniards off the field than have La Roja bore the crap out of us for 120 minutes and pinch it on pens.
eric1
Guest
The tall poppy syndrome is alive and well.
jbinnie
Guest
Mike - What is it with this use of the European championships as a measure of how successful a national side has been? One has to remember that national sides are generally made up of native born players (despite the recently introduced naturalisation rules which may well have actually started in Spain with the "naturalisation" of Puskas,& di Stefano in the early '60's Therefore I feel one has to look elsewhere when describing a national side as successful and it may surprise readers to know that when using the "modern" World Cup (starting 1950) 3 countries have dominated these 16 competitions,between them garnering 26 "top four" positions out of a potential 64 places. Germany actually lead "the pack" with 11 "places",Brazil are next with 9 places and then, surprise surprise, Italy are next with 6 places.So it would appear that again these 2 European giants,Germany & Italy, have again proved the old adage,if you are good enough you'll be there at the death, & of course we should remember South American football where Argentine & Uruguay have also done well in these competitions. jb
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
ITA v ESP in the final - so Group C proved to be stronger than "Group B: The Group of Death". Only 1 team has scored a goal against ESP at Euro2012. Yup, the Italian lads. If this match is similar to the respective Group match, we're in for a treat. It's the first time in my 35yrs following football that I've thoroughly enjoyed watching the Italian NT - for me, they're the most entertaining at Euro2012.
Brian
Guest
Don't know about a bias but yes I am over Spain winning 1-0. They don't concede goals by holding the ball. The rules surrounding tackling from behind or with studs showing have benefited them greatly. They are brilliant don't get me wrong but their games lack goals - that is why people are bored of them.
Brian
Guest
They had no expectations in 2006 having overperformed in 2002 and after a horrible Euro 2004 where they were beaten by a Czech R B team.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I would have thought it doesn't get any worse then losing on home soil in a World Cup Semi. If they never looked like winning in 2010 then you acknowlege that as you said, Spain at there peak and inexperience played it's part. In 2006 they had a core of the 2002 Finals Team plus some great youngsters, Podolski, Bastien etc... and an entire country behind you in your own backyard.
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
The 2010 World Cup was the worst (granted, I have not seen this mornings game yet.. highlights on SBS tonight). They capitulated... never looked like winning. But perhaps Spain were at their peak and Germany's young guns had not fully developed yet.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Indeed you don't associate Germany and bottlers in the same sentence. 2006 World Cup on home soil they lost to Italy in the semi finals. They were playing sublime football in that tournament and had a good mixture of youth and experience. That was like this morning a stunning upset. 2008 Euro Final lost to Spain and again in the 2010 World Cup Semi from all people a Puyol header.
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
We saw both sides of Balotelli in that match,the pure brilliance and stupidity.I mean getting a yellow card for taking your shirt off in the 39th minute what was he thinking(maybe leave that for a stoppage time winner Mario).
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
I think this is the FIRST time I have ever seen the word's Germany and bottler/choker etc, used at the same time. The PIGS are having their revenge? :) Even Greece scored twice against them.
Roger Rational
Guest
Germany - semifinal bottlers.