On the 42nd anniversary of Germany’s World Cup victory in Munich in 1974, the Mannschaft resume their Euro 2016 campaign in Marseille. It is the much-anticipated semi-final of the Euros, with hosts France providing the opposition. After their 2-0 win
Semi-Final Preview: History favours the Mannschaft. Or does it?
History, omens, form, fitness, psychology. Some of many things one has to factor in when attempting to do the impossible – namely, to write a preview for a high-profile football match. I usually try to avoid this sort of thing,
Germany v Italy: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
OK, Germany couldn’t quite beat Italy inside the ninety minutes or even extra time, but a messy penalty shootout victory will do. At the ninth attempt, the Italian curse has been broken. True to expectations, the encounter in Bordeaux was
The spell is broken! Germany edge out Italy after dramatic Elfmeterschießen in Bordeaux
The waiting is at an end, and the time has come. The setting is the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, and it is the ninth competitive chapter in the long-running – and up to this point one-sided – duel between the
Germany v Italy: I could write a book about this. In fact, I probably have already.
So, we all know what is happening this Saturday evening. The media are stirring the pot and building things up nicely, and nearly every football website and blog is awash with this history of this great – or, perhaps not
Germany v Slovakia: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
Having started to click into gear in their final group match against Northern Ireland, the Mannschaft machine looked to have got things absolutely right – overwhelming a defensively-minded Slovakia with a heady mix of skill, guile and power. With the
Dominant Draxler the inspiration as rampant Germany destroy Slovakia
After a solid if not exactly spectacular group phase, Germany are back in Lille to face Slovakia – third place finishers behind Wales and England in Group B. Having been beaten 3-1 in Augsburg by the Slovaks only last month
Germany v Northern Ireland: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
Germany rounded off their first phase group with a flourish, even if the final result was far from indicative of their powerful and dominant performance. Changes made by Nationaltrainer Jogi Löw produced much needed spark as the Mannschaft threatened to
One goal, when it could have been half a dozen
The time has come, and Germany are at an atmospheric Parc des Princes in Paris to take on Northern Ireland in their final group match – where a good win should take them through to the last sixteen in top
Closing in on the last sixteen
With four points on the board ahead of their final group against Northern Ireland at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Joachim Löw’s Germany are assured a top three finish, and have one foot in the last sixteen. While the
Germany v Poland: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
After the 2-0 opening group victory against Ukraine, Germany’s campaign stumbled and stuttered in what was a laboured and arguably fortunate goalless draw against a well-drilled Polish side. With both teams coming into the match on three points, a victory
Toothless Germany held to goalless draw by profligate Poland
The setting: The impressive Stade de France in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis. The match: Germany against Poland, one of the great tournament fixtures and the biggest game of Group C. With a win from their opening game, the path