Abseits Guide to German Soccer

Czech Republic - Germany 1:2 (0:1)


Match Number: 	788	
Date:		24-Mar-2007
Location:	Prague, Czech Republic
Competition:	Euro 2008 Qualifying

CZECH REP.:
Cech
Ujfalusi (84. Vlcek), Jiranek, Rozehnal, Jankulosvki
Galasek (68. Kulic)
Sionko (46. Plasil), Rosicky, Polak
Baros, Koller

GERMANY:
Lehmann
Lahm, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Jansen
B. Schneider, Frings, Ballack, Schweinsteiger
Kuranyi, Podolski (89. Hitzlsperger)

Scoring:
0:1 Kuranyi (42.)
0:2 Kuranyi (62.)
1:2 Baros (76.)

Referee:Roberto Rosetti (Italy)

Yellow cardss: Galasek, Jankulosvki, Koller - Jansen, Lehmann

Attendance: 17,291 (sold out)

Joachim Löw's German squad had a good result in winning 2-1 at the Czech Republic. Two headers by Kevin Kuranyi gave Germany the win in a match they clearly had the upper hand. The defense was rock-solid; especially strong was defender Per Mertesacker, who completely shut down ex-Dortmund giant Jan Koller. Outside defenders Phillip Lahm and Marcel Jansen also were outstanding. Torsten Frings and Michael Ballack worked well in midfield and dominated the Czechs, for whom only Milan Baros had a decent outing. Kuranyi's return was certainly promising, as the absence of Miroslav Klose was expected by many to way heavily on the attack, but he had a good match. He was denied a penalty, and in general, the German attack ran rings around the Czech defense. A combination of luck and some poor finishing prevented this from becoming a rout. Probably the only negatives were the relatively lame performances of midfielders Bernd Schneider and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Abseits Guide to German Soccer