Euro 2012 Quarter Final 2: Defensive Test for German Machine

Business as usual, or the biggest shock of Euro 2012? That’s the question that will be answered after favorites Germany and underdogs Greece slug it out in Gdansk this evening.

On the one hand, to even suggest that the Greeks have a chance of upsetting the Germans here would appear optimistic in the extreme, but considering that the 2004 champions have plenty of “previous” when it comes to upsets, it would be foolhardy to dismiss the Greek challenge. Their triumphant 2004 team not only beat hosts Portugal twice – opening match and final – they also took out defending champions France in the last eight. Add to that the much unexpected win over Russia that booked their quarter final place this year and its clear why matters are seldom taken for granted with this team.

Of course, this year’s squad is very different from Otto Rehagel’s vintage. Only midfielders Kostas Katsouranis and Karagounis remain eight years on and Fernando Santos has had to rely on an interesting mix of the old and the inexperienced who, despite gaining just one point from their first two matches, have scratched their way into this quarter final clash. The Greeks will work hard to resist what should be a German onslaught and much will depend on the composure and experience of young centre backs Sokratis Papastathapoulous and Kyriakos Papadopoulous, both of whom, incidentally, play in the German Bundesliga, with Werder Bremen and Schalke respectively. The suspended captain, Karagounis, will be a big miss in midfield though and chances will be few and far between for forwards Giorgio Samaras, Sotiris Ninis and Dimitri Salpingidis.

Germany have looked the most balanced squad in the tournament and were the only team to come through the group phase with maximum points. Joachim Low’s decision to rest his first choice strike force will be under scrutiny should his team struggle early, yet the new faces – Marco Reus, Miroslav Klose and Andre Schurrle – are hardly a huge dip in quality. The rest of the team remains intact with Jerome Boateng returning at right back after missing the last game due to suspension. Midfield playmaker Bastian Schweinsteiger is slowly returning to his best form after a season marred with injuries, and sidekick Sami Khedira has been bursting with energy and confidence after a successful season with Real Madrid. As always though, the key to Germany’s best attacking opportunities should be the mercurial Mesut Ozil, one of the world’s best number 10s.

Germany’s much-advertised game control and patience will be well tested by the obdurately defensive Greeks, but Low’s team should have enough in the tank to take this one by two goals.