Czechs, Germany to clash over top group spot of Euro
2008 qualifying
PRAGUE, Czech Republic: This was expected to happen. When Germany plays
the Czech Republic in Prague on Saturday in a European Championship qualifying
game, at stake is the top spot in their Group D.
The two were favorites and for now share the top of the table with 10
points from four games. Ireland is third with seven points, and Slovakia
fourth with six, followed by Cyprus, Wales and San Marino.
The top two teams qualify for next year's tournament in Austria and Switzerland,
and Germany, with almost a perfect record since the World Cup, is confident
it can get three points at Sparta Prague's Letna Stadium.
"I think the Czechs have a bit of respect for us after our recent
performances," captain Michael Ballack said. "We want to win
this game."
Germany has won six of its seven games, with one draw, since Joachim Loew
took over from Juergen Klinsmann as coach after the World Cup.
Jan Koller, the Czech Republic's all-time leading scorer with 48 goals,
considers Saturday's result crucial for the group's outcome.
"Who'll succeed has a great chance to qualify," Koller said.
Hit by injuries and suspensions, Loew is going into Saturday's game with
a roster that includes four rookies.
Top striker Miroslav Klose and defender Clemens Fritz are suspended, while
forwards Mario Gomez, Mike Hanke, Oliver Neuville and Gerald Asamaoh,
midfielder Tim Borowski and defender Arne Friedrich are all injured.
Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski, who has seven goals in three qualifying
games, is expected to lead Germany's attack along with Kevin Kuranyi of
Schalke.
Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner sees one weak point in the German
side.
"If they miss anyone then it is the right back because they lost
Friedrich and Fritz," Bruckner said. "Otherwise they have the
strongest team they've had in the qualifying."
Czech captain Tomas Rosicky, who spent several seasons with Koller playing
for the Bundesliga's Borussia Dortmund, agreed.
"They are not weakened. Klose is excellent but they have Kuranyi
and he's a similar class," he said. "Those they miss will be
well replaced."
Rosicky said Germany's strength is in attacking but he also mentioned
the same vulnerable spot as Bruckner.
"Perhaps we could surprise their defense," he added.
The Czech coach has considerably less selection worries than Loew. He
will miss Austria Vienna striker David Lafata, who was ill with a viral
disease, and was replaced on Thursday by Slavia Prague forward Stanislav
Vlcek.
Bruckner also called up Hamburg midfielder David Jarolim to have more
options in the midfield because his recent regulars - Libor Sionko of
Rangers and Jaroslav Plasil Of Monaco - are struggling to start for their
clubs.
Bruckner may opt for a 4-5-1 formation to keep Germany's strong midfield
line led by Ballack at bay with Koller as the lone striker.
Another option would be a 4-4-2 with Milan Baros, who is back on form
following his recent move to Lyon from Aston Villa, joining Koller up
front. The two form a lethal striking duo for any defense, having totaled
78 goals for the national team.
But it will be a tough job to score for strikers on both sides with two
top goalkeepers - Chelsea's Petr Cech and Arsenal's Jens Lehmann - guarding
the Czech and German goals.
Germany holds a 3-1 record against the Czechs, but the last game was a
painful defeat at Euro 2004, when a Czech team made up mainly of reserves
knocked out the Germans in Portugal and provoked the resignation of coach
Rudi Voeller.
Koller said this would be a different game.
"They've made a huge progress since then," he said. "They
added a number of excellent young players to the team It's among the absolute
best and they proved it at the World Cup."
, March 22, 2007.
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