Will Germany follow the other pre-tournament favourites into the final or will the largely unfancied Italy cause an upset?
FIFA Rankings
Germany 3
Italy 12
Route to the Semi
Germany's route has been somewhat of a formality, after topping their group with 3 wins out of 3 and brushing aside Greece, albeit with a little scare when the Greeks equalised. They scored more goals than any other team to reach the semi's and what made it even more impressive was their ability to rest the trio of Mario Gomez, Lukas Podolski and Thomas Mueller in the quarter final.
Italy's route has been a little different, there wasn't too much doubt in the group stage that they would go through although a rigged surprise 2-2 draw between Spain and Croatia in the final round of group games would have seen them go home. So on to the simple quarter final against England, even with all the chances they created (and missed) they surely knew they would go through. Italy v England in a quarter final and it goes to penalties, it was a formality.
Team News
The only worry for Germany was Bastian Schweinsteiger's ankle but he has been passed fit. German boy band member manager, Joachim Loew, looks set to recall the rested trio from the quarter final in what looks a very strong side, however the impressive Miroslav Klose may give him a slight selection dilemma.
Italy on the other hand have a number of injury worries, Daniele De Rossi, Giorgio Chiellini and Ignazio Abate as well as having Christian Maggio suspended. Cesare Prandelli may revert to the back 3 tactics he started the tournament with.
Prediction
So we have the pre-tournament favourites who are at full strength, have scored more goals, 9, than their opponents, 4, and given Italy going the distance against England and fewer days rest it looks like a foregone conclusion. Well possibly, but Italy have proved to be a bit of a bogey side for Germany down the years, there have been 7 competitive matches between the two and Germany are yet to win, with Italy winning 3.
However, Germany are on this fantastic run, 15 competitive wins in a row which is a new record and with plenty of talent throughout the side it may come down to Italy's old guard in Andrea Pirlo and Gigi Buffon as to how this game will turn out, if Pirlo has enough in the tank and starts to dictate the play and if Buffon can carry on his fine season and keep out the inevitable chances Germany will create, there is the possibility for a shock.
Saying all that I fancy Germany to be stronger and fresher than Italy and I shall go for a 2-1 German win.
Odds
Germany 19/20
Italy 4/1
Draw 12/5
0
Comments
so I’m not sure. the best team to challenge spain in the final would probably be Germany. i just hope tonight’s game is better than yesterdays, not so much cancelling each other out and more full on attacks. And maybe a mass brawl. with balotelli getting hit round the face with a corner flag.
The Spanish might continue to dominate with their bullfighting skills, but then again they might not find it so easy if they don't have a bunch of fops on horses trying to slow down, say Yaya Toure, with swords as he bore down on one of their tikkiatakka matadors.
Kermo would be an absolute weapon in that type of thing.
also got £20 on germany to win the tournament at 3/1. fairly confident whoever wins tonight will beat spain, thus me being slightly better off : )
Could it be fate that Italy will meet spain in the final, it seems quite a regular occurrence that the final is contested between two teams that met in the opening round of games and it is following a pattern of every other tournament:
Euro 2004 Final - Portugal v Greece
Euro 1996 Final - Germany v Czech Republic
Euro 1988 Final - Soviet Union v Netherlands
That said, Italy have been far more expansive than previously so I think either of them will give the Spanish a good run for their money.
If Balotelli's packed his shooting boots, unlike against us, I can see a fairly high scoring game.
But the Germs I have money on eachway for the tourney (spain also)
Germany 3 - 1 Italy
Ozil to score anytime and Germany to win ( 6-1 William Hill )
Gomez to score 1st ( 11-2 Stan James )
Germany: Neuer, Boateng, Hummels, Badstuber, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Khedira, Kroos, Ozil, Podolski, Gomez.
Subs: Wiese, Gundogan, Schmelzer, Howedes, Schurrle, Klose, Mueller, Bender, Mertesacker, Gotze, Reus, Zieler.
Italy: Buffon, Balzaretti, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Pirlo, Marchisio, Montolivo, De Rossi, Balotelli, Cassano.
Subs: Sirigu, Ogbonna, Thiago Motta, Abate, Di Natale, Giaccherini, Borini, Giovinco, Diamanti, Nocerino, De Sanctis.
But I need the Germs to go through for financial reasons.
This
my germany/ronaldo double is still on