Liveblog: Germany vs. Sweden

June 24th, 2006 | by: Chris Heidrich |

Germany are through to the quarter finals and will face either Argentina or Mexico. Sweden will rue the sending-off but in truth they were behind the eight ball (and two goals down) before they were reduced to 10 men. Thanks for joining me in the liveblog and for all your comments. Come back for the next game in a couple hours time.

Final: Germany 2-0 Sweden

Full-time: The German mannshaft rolls on to the quarter-finals of the World Cup. A vibrant first 20 minutes saw them score twice against Sweden who had no answers. The game changed with Lucic being sent off but the Swedish defense held solid for the rest of the game. They offered nothing in attack almost the entire game, which will disappoint their fans, but they were given a raw deal with the red card, in my opinion.

91:40 – Another minute of this game and it can’t end soon enough for Sweden. They’ve held Germany scoreless with 10 men, but have been unable to create anything of their own.

90:26 – Klose runs full length of the pitch to chase down a ball that Isaksson has to come out of his area to clear.

89:31 – Rare moments for Sweden in ze German half of the pitch. Comes to not much, but Ljungberg is fouled.

88:02 – Shooting practice for ze Germans. This time it’s Kehl shooting high over the bar after Sweden allows 2-3 passes along the edge of their area.

86:47 – Two shots in quick succession for Germany. Neuville with the first which is straight at Isaksson. Klose gets another off but it’s fired high over the bar. Germany wants three and there’s not much Sweden can do about it.

85:56 – Substitution for Germany. World Cup Willie Kehl comes on for Frings. Guess we won’t be seeing Ollie Kahn as a super-striker after all.

83:52 – Wonderful interplay between Schneider, Neuville and Klose sees Schneider whip off a shot that strikes the post. It was defelected and Germany have a corner. Maybe ze Germans are not done yet.

83:13 – Unless Sweden can score soon, this game is destined to degrade into keep-ball from ze Germans.

81:58 – Play is stopped for an injury to Edman. Replay shows Klose’s full weight on the Swede’s lower shin. That’s gotta sting.

80:15 – Ballack is destined not to score today. His rifled shot from 18 yards is straight at Isaksson who saves. The rebound falls to Klose’s head but it goes way over the bar. Ballack has the frustrated look on his face that we’ve seen all game from the Big Man.

78:29 – Germany has plenty of time on the ball. Ballack plays nice one-twos with Frings on the wings. Borowski is released down the touchline and gets a cross in for Klose. Looked like he should have hit that first time. Instead the danger is cleared by Sweden.

77:12 – Allback is booked for clattering Friedrich. Ze German made the most of it rolling around over and over. He’s fine and play continues.

75;45 – Borowski is a big dude. You can see those stretcher-bearers are struggling. He’s back on the pitch now.

74:28 – Ballack lays a nice pass for Lahm down the wing. His pass finds Borowski in the box but a crunching tackle clears the danger. Borowski is hurt but I think he’ll be ok.

73:14 – 2 goal hero Podolski comes off and Oliver Neuville takes his place. Great cheers from the crowd for the young man.

71:40 – Schweinsteiger makes way for Borowski. Schweinsteiger just was not a factor in this game but ze Germans have not needed him with Klose and Ballack taking up the slack. Sweden also make a substitution. Ibrahimovic off for Allback. Shame for Zlatan. He was alone up there after the sending-off.

70:44 – Sweden doing a good job of keeping possession but eventually Germany win it back through Schweinsteiger. Ballack takes another trademark shot but this one is just over the bar. No save required.

68:39 – Frings cops a ball to the face and collapses. The stretcher appears. He runs to the sideline though and he appears fine. Shot of Borowski warming up on the bench for Germany. In the meantime Ljungberg squeezes off a weak shot that goes well wide.

67:20 – Sweden trying to slow the game down in order to keep posession. Linderoth plays a corss-field ball in to Zlatan who does well to chest it down but he cannot control it and Germany clears.

65:41 – Friedrich has a shot from long distance after a nice dummy from Frings gave him the space. Friedrich has not had a shot on target or a decent cross this World Cup.

63:30 – Beckanbauer sighting. Not so surprising he’s at this game, but geez he just got married yesterday. You’d think he might be enjoying this one from his honeymoon suite somewhere.

62:18 – Germans not showing much sportsmanship as Podolski takes a long distance shot while Linderoth lies on the ground. Plenty of time to have kicked the ball away.

60:40 – Sweden’s forward play always leaves them vulnerable at the back. Germany pressed forward on the break and saw a cross from Klose pass harmlessly across the goal face after Podolski could not connect from close range.

60:00 – Sweden enjoying some more possession now. Getting some love from the referee with some calls. Ljungberg seems to be able to beat his man at will.

58:04 – More patience of possession from Germany. Ole’s from the crowd. Another long distance shot from Ballack. He’s on fire today. This one over the bar.

55:51 – Podolski blasts over the bar from 18 yards.

54:40 – Rasping shot by Ballack that keeper Isaksson fingertips onto a post. Great shot, amazing save. Isaksson in amazing form.

53:51 – Germany play their way out of defence with some nice one touch passing from the corner flag to the halfway. It breaks down as Klose can’t find Podolski.

52:20 – Larsson misses!! He blasts over the bar. Heartbreak for all of Sweden. Incredible miss.

51:24 – Penalty for Sweden. Larsson is hacked in the box byMetzelder. Larsson did his best to make sure the ref saw it. Before the pen is taken, Sweden bring on Wilhelmsson for Jonson.

50:10 – Shot of rat-tail Wilhelmsson on the bench preparing to come on for Sweden. Surprised he did not start. Sweden are a much more aggressive side when he’s making his runs down the wing. And he gets kicked a lot so he might draw some yellows from the ref.

49:01 – Patient build-up from ze Germans as you’d expect with an extra man. No real penetration and Sweden clear for a throw-in near the right corner.

47:30 – Yellow card for Jonson for a very late tackle on Ballack. THAT card was deserved. He clattered Ballack from behind when the ball was long gone.

45:50 – Sweden keeping possession and breaking forward through Ljungberg. He lays a ball into the path of Jonson inside the 18 yard box. Lehmann comes and claims it and takes a knock to the face for his trouble. He’s probably faking. Nice chance for Sweden.

45:01 – Second half on the way. 10 man Sweden against 11.5 man Germany. The shadow monster has all but left the building.

Half-time Highlights: The German goals were classy and the hosts were rampant in the early going. And then the send-off. It was so obvious that te German players influenced the referee. He had blown for the foul and had made no move whatsoever towards the Swedish player, Lucic. Then the ref was yelled at by two German players – Podoloski and Frings, I think- and all of a sudden the ref is off to the races with his hand in his pocket. I don’t subscribe to conspiracy theories, but I’m at a loss how a world class referee would suddenly change his mind after getting yelled at by players. Very disappointing, but I’ll look forward to our resident referee’s opinion on the matter.

Half-time: As I said, Klose has been the player of the game so far. But the most influential man on the field has been the referee. He’s effectively killed Sweden’s chances in this game by sending off defender Lucic. While I can’t argue with the first card, the second was so innocuous. It’s not like he charged in dangerously and was likely to injure Klose, which is part of the referees’ brief (i’ve learned by reading the ref’s blog. He held Klose back, but he wasn’t the last defender and there was not a goal scoring opportunity. A stern talking to would have sufficed in my opinion. Sweden were not showing much in attack at that point, but at least with 11 men they had an even chance to claw their way back.

46:35 – Free kick to Sweden. A chance for the to set something up. German wall rushes the ball before the kick is taken but the ref does nothing. The chance is over and half time is blown.

43:13 – Klose showing again his class. After some nice interplay between Podolski and Schweinsteiger, neither player can get a shot off. The ball breaks to Klose and within a second he’s turned and ripped off a shot that Isaksson has to deal with. Klose is player of the game so far by a wide margin.

41:56 – Still shaking my head over that yellow. For the ref to be consistent in booking that type of foul, he’ll be giving cards out all night. Larsson crosses from the lef tinto the box. A collision in the box between Lahm, Lehmann and Swede Jonson. Ball falls to Lahm’s feet and he calmly clears with a pass rather than booting it into the stands.

39:38 – Zlatan draws a bungle save from Lehmann. A sweet turn and shot from an acute angle and Lehmann can barely turn it wide. If Germany sit back here, that will make things easier for Sweden to create chances with 10 men.

38:01 – Sweden prepare to make a substitution. Kallstrom is the unlucky player. Hansson comes on. A defensive move by Sweden to stem the flow of white towards their goal.

35:50 – While I was enjoying Germany’s play, I want Sweden to make a comeback. no one likes to see a team unfairly done by and that second yellow was unneccessary and it has ruined this game as a contest. Germany can sit back and take care of business knowing they have the extra man for the majority of the game.

34:30 – This game is basically over as a contest. Lucic is given his second yellow card for a nothing foul. He held back Klose but no need for a yellow card. Ref has done Sweden no favours there. Red card for Lucic. Bad luck for Sweden. Shame for the game.

32:45 – Huge shot from Schweinsteiger from 400 yards away. It dipped and curled and Isaksson made a fantastic save. No one noticed though and Sweden were awarded a goal kick. It may well have been the save of the tournament.

31:52 – Great tackle by Metzelder on Zlatan in the German box. At the other end Frings strikes from distance and Isaksson saves again. End to end stuff here. Cracking game.

30:44 – Lahm with a lovely run around Larsson to reach the byline. His cut back to Klose results in a scuffle but Klose gets his shot away and draws a fantastic save from Isaksson.

29:06 – Podolski collapses under a challenge. Swedish player stood right on his heel. That will sting for a bit.

27:20 – Not enough possession for Sweden for me to use any of their players names. However, Lucic goes into the ref’s book for a tackle on Klose.

25:43 – Solid possession for Germany ends in a wayward shot from Ballack. Frings did get that yellow card for that handball. Only 5th yellow for Germany as a team this tournament.

24:49 – Handball from Frings but the ref calls play on. I wonder if he’ll get a card when play stops next.

22:16 – German defense has looked very solid. Not much room for Zlatan in the 18 yard box. At the other end, Schneider is a goal hog and blasts wide from 22 yards. A better touch from Ballack at the edge of the area would have released Klose on goal.

20:16 – I spent most of the 2002 World Cup calling Miroslav ‘Not-so-Klose’. He’s improved out of sight in 4 years. His touches have been fantastic and playing in team-mates as well as finishing his own chances.

18:50 – Schweinsteiger has been pretty quiet, and we’ve not seen much of Germany’s best player, Lahm, but maybe the sunshine out there on that side of the pitch is keeping them hidden. A few half chances fall to Podolski but no further chances for the young man.

17:06 – Another German attack. Ballack from distance and this time draws a good save from keeper Isaksson.

16:15 – Frierich gets clattered.

14:26 – If Germany score 6 today, will they bring on Oliver Kahn as a striker?

13:16 – Sweden barely had a touch on the ball so far. Still 70+ minutes for them to come back in this game. 2-0 is a tough lead to defend.

11:44 – GGGGGOOOOAAALLLLL!!!!! Podolski again! Klose again with the set-up. Klose is handing the Golden Shoe to his team-mate. Guess the tabloids saying these guys hate each other must be wrong.

10:51 – Chance for Zlatan at the other end. Big man can get his leg up. Too bad he got his leg up into the head of the German defender.

10:06 – Shot from Ballack from long range. Just wide. Germans running rampant in the early stages.

08:50 – Haven’t really had a chance to use Bastian Schweinsteiger’s name yet, so I’m just gonna say it to get it in my copy and paste row. Ljungberg bitching at the ref again.

07:21 – Chance for Larsson at the other end. Ball breaks in to the German area. Great desparation tackle from Ballack, even though he did not get a touch on the ball. Larsson shot just wide from 8 yards and a tight angle.

06:00 – Guess I’m a liar. Wasn’t a slow start at all. Germany on a roll now. Podolski has a rasping shot from 30 yards – just over the top. Clear shooting chance with no Swedish defenders near him. The crowd chants his name.

3:45 – GGGGGGOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL!!! Podolski scores from 16 yards after Klose is brought down by the keeper. Great touch and drive into the box by Klose. Keeper brings him down and Podoloski is on hand to pick up the pieces.

03:25 – Slow start to the game. Both teams feeling each other out. Not wanting to make an early mistake.

02:18 – Foul by Kallstrom on Sneider. Set piece for Germany. Frings over the ball. Straight at the keeper who cleans up.

00:30 – Referee looks like the cousin of Eddie Munster. Nice brylcreem action. First free kick of the game, dealt with by the tall timber of Germany.

00:01 – We’re off! Let the second round begin. We’re getting towards the sharp end of the tournament now and there’s no second chances. Germany in white, Sweden in yellow and blue. Coach Lagerback still wearing that ridiculous shirt.

National Anthems: Very stirring German national anthem. Whole stadium in full voice. Chills up the spine.

Zlatan in the line up but not singing today. Lucic and Larsson also silent today. Escort kids with mohawks – nice.

5 minutes to go: Some great shots of the crowd pulling up huge banners of past players lifting the World Cup. Matteus, Beckanbauer, etc. Pretty cool. PLayers in the tunnel, ready to come out. Big shadow on the pitch, nothing new there.

10 minutes to go: “Sweden are our first really tough opponent,” said German captain Michael Ballack. I guess based on results he’s correct, but even though Poland gave a pretty poor showing inthe World Cup in general, they showed they could frustrate Germany for long periods. If Sweden are that much better, then we could be in for a low scoring game. Let’s hope not!

15 minutes to go: Think Ibrahimovic is fit. Good news for Sweden. Not so good news are the quotes from Lars Lagerback who says he can’t see any weak links in the German team, and if his team does as well against Germany as they did against England he will be satisfied. Last I checked, they drew against England and that just ain’t gonna be enough.

15 minutes to go: No word yet if big Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been cleared to start, coming off an injury sustained against Paraguay. Even though his replacement for the England game, Marcus Allback, got on the scoresheet that night, Sweden will really miss Zlatan in attack. He’s the type of attacker who demands attention from more than one defender which leaves potential holes for nippy strikers like Larsson and Ljungberg to burst into.

20 minutes to go: The crowds at FanFests all over Germany will be zoos right now as the nation girds itself for the big game. Tons of Swedes about as well. Who will be happiest afterwards.

Pregame: Who is going to win?
This has the makings of an epic game. Germany has played some attacking football and yet shown some holes in defense. After giving up two goals to Costa Rica in their opening game though, they shut out Poland and were barely troubled by Ecuador. Sweden on the other hand, has had some problems finding the back of the net. Not for lack of trying though and if practice makes perfect, Sweden could bag a couple of goals here.

With the weight of a nation behind them, Germany is looking good here today and my prediction is a 3-2 victory for the home team. What are your predictions?

International Football News – World Cup Blog RSS Feed

Jan-Willem Burgers

So Germany still has not faced a real opponent. Sweden has had a horribly disappointing world cup despite doing so well in the qualification. Argentina is going to beat Mexico, and then roll over Germany. Germany does not have a bad team, but the fact that they haven’t yet played any real contenders makes them look much better than they actually are.
HPT

30 minutes to go!! I can’t wait!!
Roland

Sweden is good, but Germany is on a roll: Germany 2 – 1.
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

Germany should win, but a one-goal lead on Sweden is never safe with their potential to manufacture goals.
DerLude

another senseless post..

GOO GEEEERMANY

cant wait anymore im so nervous nervous nervous GO GO GO

sry guys. klose 1 prince poldi 1 and lahm 1 ( goals ;) )
Andreia & Alex

Definitely hoping for a Germany win
http://blue2rose.blogspot.com Blah-Me

:D GERMANY it is then!! (that I’m gonna be cheering for)

Germany win.. 2 – 1 is fair enough.

Although I hope Germany plays better than it has so far. Time to display some real “football” talent!

:) This should be fun to watch!

Oh and hello Chris!

I guess Bob will be on the Argentina blog later. Too bad I’m gonna miss their match, I love them oh so very much!
Andreia & Alex

We’re actually new soccer fans. Can’t believe how much we’re enjoying it though.
http://fifaworldcup.sporati.com/?p=145 FIFAworldcup.com – Passionate Fan on Fifa World Cup 2006

Preview (2nd Stage): Gemany vs Sweden

People are going to watch and see who among the two teams are going out of the tournament. Sweden is feeling the pressure playing against the host nation who will be going in hordes shouting and cheering like barbarians raising the hearts of their cou…
http://beingruthiesmom.blogspot.com Trish

I have missed these liveblogs!!

My best friends just got back from Germany; I am so jealous. Can’t imagine what it would be like to be there.

I am in Kansas for a wedding. The bride is Colombian, her fiance is Dutch, and we have British, Cuban, and Panamanian guests. None of us can quite believe they would schedule a wedding during WC.
futbol

Swe will probably win by penalty kick. The score might be 2 – 2
http://beingruthiesmom.blogspot.com Trish

Andreia and Alex, welcome to the most beautiful sport…
Keyser

GER 3-2 SWE in 120′. regular time ends 2-2. welcome to the WC. the real one is starting now!!!!
Roland

Hey Andreia & Alex, I don’t know who your teams are, but if this is your first World Cup, you’re in for a treat. The tournament is just getting warmed up.
Bidemi

IBRAHIMOVIC!!!!!!
http://beingruthiesmom.blogspot.com Trish

oh my isn’t that the oily ref they were going on and on about the other day?
Keyser

the big shadow monster is really present today
Andreia & Alex

Well we’ve started watching the games this week. Woke up for it and everything and in this match we’ve decided to go for Germany
Roland

It seems you have chosen wisely…
http://beingruthiesmom.blogspot.com Trish

Quite. I hope this remains a game and doesn’t turn into a slaughter…
Keyser

huhuhu
german guys in my city are playing with the car horns like crazy!!!
Trapper

Klose made that goal. Great work.
http://www.conquestgames.net russ

I lasted all of about 4 minutes on ESPN before going back to Univision. Sigh.
Andreia & Alex

woooooowwwww
Bidemi

That was fast.
Andreia & Alex

You know I may have to go to the Univision station because we actually liked hearing the GOALLLLL cheer….ABC just isn’t doing it. The announcers aren’t as hyped either
Tom

Is that Al Michaels on ABC? If not, it sure as hell sounds like him.

Also, Germany is absolutely dominating this game for those who can’t watch.
Tom

GOAL GOAL GOAL Germans
http://beingruthiesmom.blogspot.com Trish

I would much rather watch on Univision, even though I can’t understand all of it, and hear announcers who actually know, and CARE, what they are talking about.

Viva Univision!!
Roland

The Swedes look laughably poor on defense today. What a shame.
Bidemi

WOW…Germans are playing well.
Andreia & Alex

Yeah we went ahead and made the switch…I love the GOL guy. The ABC Broadcasters are sooooo flat. Their broad cast is also 5 seconds behind

Can’t understand Spanish but we just love the energy on that station
Keyser

2 goals by podolsky. but all the credits to Klose. he’s absolutely on fire.
I predicted a german win, but my 3-2 looks like a joke now.
http://www.conquestgames.net russ

Sheesh Germany showed up to win.
Tom

I’m watching it on ABC right now as I prefer to watch it on a 32 inch screen versus my 15 inch monitor. But, I’ve got the Univision audio streaming at the same time. :) Muting ABC is excellent.
http://www.conquestgames.net russ

GOL! GOL! GOL! GOL!

Swedish coach looks like he hate something that upset his stomach
Josh

Holy Podolski!!!
Trapper

Keyser:

Couldn’t agree more about Klose. I hadn’t realised he was that creative.

I can’t see Germany being held to two.
Tom

I had predicted a 2-1 German win…that’s looking like crap now.
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

Didn’t Sweden watch Germany’s last group match on tape? Sweden looks like Ecuador’s B team. Geesh.
http://www.conquestgames.net russ

Oh Tom that’s a GREAT IDEA. *clap clap*
http://blue2rose.blogspot.com Blah-Me

I cant believe I missed 2 beautiful goals by Germany!!
Bidemi

Why does Lahm wear a long-sleeved jersey in this intense heat?
http://www.atmysports.com atmysports.com

is germany winner for sure ???
Bidemi

oh, because of an injury. commentator just said it.
http://www.fussballwmblog.de/ Norbert

Wonderful Podolski!!!!!!! He’s amazing!
Keyser

ball possesion: ger 61% (BBC)
I thought it was even more
pawan

i think germans are going to crush the swedes.
Bidemi

This Brasilian ref is very good.
OmarKhayyam

Greetings from a dark and sombre Singapore!

The hot news out here is that there’s some $2 _billion_ bucks floating out there in the legal and illegal betting rings, $500 of which came from the cabbie who brought me home tonight.

Other than that, hot stuff out tonight!
Keyser

we should be 3-0 now. 2 impressive saves
Roland

I think England was lucky not to face this German team right now. Of course, they’ll probably only get better as the tourney progresses.
Keyser

stupid two yellows. the game is over
James

That seemed a bit harsh. Especially for a second yellow.
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

Good to see the refs taking over the game again. For a minute I thought the players might have the final say. Whew!
hoa

Oh god!! Game over, The yellow was too harsh. Man!! the ref again.
Josh

Wow. SWE is self-destructing.
Bidemi

That was clearly a hand ball. Lucky break for Germany.
bobbio

Oh God…Please don’t let Germany win the cup AGAIN!
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

Both of the cards on Lucic were weak. Only a coupe of weeks left for FIFA to get control of the reffing. Terrible.
Bidemi

That red was very harsh.
Bidemi

The ref was coerced into giving the red by the German players. What happened to fair play? Don’t worry, Argentina will knock you out of the tournament soon.
Tom

It looks as if Sweden is playing with 9 men vs. a hot German team. Any Swedish attack is generally one swede versus 2-3 German defenders. The Swedes are so lifeless.
Nate

Will that red card make a huge difference? Germany was schooling them without the extra man.

Not like the game will be remembered for that call, it is already 2-0 with even number of guys.
hoa

Agree with Trent!! The two yellows were no doubt too harsh. The FIFA refs so far have been awful. Truth is they have good calls, but bad calls or non-calls are just a lot more. God!! I have a feeling that those refs will ruin the sport.
Gaston

that ref should live in shame forever. A disgrace to the beautiful game the germans were dis[laying
Keyser

agree. both yellow were a bad call. a german player could have never get any of those (not even think abouth both).
pity. didn’t look like germany would need that help to win this game.
Laura

Deutschland, vor!
Noch ein Tor!
hoa

Agree with you guys there. Given what going on in the game, the ref just ‘gave’ the host the ‘help’ it certaintly does not need. He just made its later victory ( I doubt Sweden can come back with 10 men ) less convincing.
Keyser

I’ve counted already at least 3 german fouls and none got a yellow. shame on this ref.
Tom

Well, Germany in the finals would probably be a ratings boom, but I’m not into conspiracy theories.

Germany won’t get past Argentina.
hansie

why is everyone surprised at the red?

wasn’t it known for a long time that fifa is going to ensure a brazil – germany final?
Keyser

doesn’t matter. argentina will revenge the swedes. germany WC will last only for 4 more days. vamos argentina!
Bidemi

hansie, what makes you say this? is this just some assumption or do you have evidence?
hansie

all i have is circumstancial evidence which you have to admit is very strong.

i see a pattern from last world cup. wasn’t it obvious that fifa was shooting for a brazil – korea final that time?

how the hell do you explain the belgian goal against brazil disallowed and the 3 spanish goals against korea disallowed. how do you explain all the other bizarre refreeing that time?

and in this world cup how do you explain all the non-calls on german fouls…. and all the bizarre cards and fouls called on the opposition?

you must be thinking i am a pessimist hater, but mark my words… follow this world cup closely as brazil and germany get deeper in the tournament… by the end of next week, you will agree with me….
http://germany.worldcupblog.org/1/liveblog-germany-vs-sweden-fifa-world-cup-2006-world-cup-2006-blog.html Liveblog: Germany vs. Sweden – FIFA World Cup 2006 – World Cup 2006 Blog – FIFA World Cup 2006 – Germany World Cup Team Blog

[...] Chris is liveblogging today’s Germany-Sweden game. Keep up to date HERE. Feel free to leave comments [...]
Bidemi

Like I said, the ref was coerced by Frings and Podolski. They were talking to him, pressuring him to pull out a card. Now it’s up to Argentina to carry out karma’s work.

Seriously I hate when things like this happen. It destroys the integrity of the game. How can the official look at himself in the mirror when he wakes up?
matthew

yet another nothing sending off against a smaller team.

germany deserve their lead but this has ruined the game
futbol

It’s the ref’s fault not the german’s. Ger is playing well today.

Swe needs to wake up. They look sleepy.

Ger’s holes are in wing’s defense not in the middle. Swe should try long balls and make a fast run to get corner kicks.
hoa

I am certaintly not surprised at all. It seems like an unwritten rule in soccer forever that the host always get special treatment. But I do not think Germany needs any of that in this game given their strength.

A Brazil-Germany final can get more people watching the game, and then come all the good revenue with that!!! But if the either one or both get to the last match with controversial ref decisions, it will do nothing good for FIFA and the game.
John

BAD REF!!!!It is a SHAME to do that..
GO ARGENTINA NOW!!!!!!
hansie

ofcourse fifa can get away with it…. fans and media will cry foul for a few days across the world but then it will soon be forgotten…. it was exactly the same in the last world cup… fans were crying foul and begging sepp blatter to stop the cheating all through the tournament…. i can remember so many incidents…. rivaldo’s goal agianst turkey, belgium’s disallowed goal, totti’s sending off, spain’s 3 disallowed goals… i can go on and on…

but does anyone remember that now? all we remember is that brazil won and koreans had a great run to the semis…

same thing will happen this time…. is’s a given that it will be a brazil – germany final unless on the teams comes up with a totaly inept display….
hoa

MAN!! Bad refs are worse than Hooligans: hooligans give soccer a bad reputation, but bad refs destroy the game.

Well, let’s talk soccer: Klose certaintly has a good game in the first half.
Roland

Hey, my prediction has a chance now!
Bidemi

so much pressure on him. you coul see it on his face. poor guy
hoa

Hansie, you have a good point there!
http://n/a england!!!!

HAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAHEEEEEEEHAAAAAAHAA
hoa

Thunderous shot from Ballack there!! Germany certaintly has a good captain.
hansie

trapper. laugh at me if you want…. but keep i mind what i said…. at the end of the tournament you will be agreeing with what i said….
HurrikaneDIABLO

ala Omar Bravo…. what the hell is it with the missed PKs this tournament? I mean, how many missed PKs have there been already? Aren’t PKs like 90% made shots?
Trapper

hansie:

I suppose you think Larsson is in on this plot too, afer he blazed his penalty over the bar?
http://www.atmysports.com atmysports.com

Germany could be one of the final four teams
Roland

Sweden is dismal. The pressure is too much for them.
Keyser

from which country is the ref?
hoa

I think the penalty call was a bad call: there was contact, but it is not enough to warrant a penalty. Bad call again!!
hoa

Nice effort from Sweden: keep on attacking with one man down.
Bidemi

The ref is from Brasil.
http://www.atmysports.com atmysports.com

sweden at it’s bad tonite
cyril

germany booking their seats for the quarter finals for a an old school classic with argentina..except they will lose this time to arg.
avenue

All I want to say is: Well down Lukas… Wish you were here, in Poland… You’re the best. I cross my fingers for your third goal…
futbol

I’m afraid that if Arg get too many injuries in playing today game, they could not get pass Ger
Keyser

all I have to say: the ref was a factor (2 completely different standards for bookings), but if you miss a penalty there not much you can say.
now I hope that argentina first wins over mexico, then over germany and ruins fifa plans.
http://blue2rose.blogspot.com Blah-Me

Sad loss for Sweden!!

Dint look like they tried hard enough in the second round. They sorta gave up!

They barely tested Jen Lahmanns skills as a GK!

Its a shame!! Its actually a shame that they dint even try hard enough!

I am so very disappointed!!

Also, I expected Ballack to make another score before the end. Looks like he dint quite make it. But a good effort!

And so germany is in easy!
hoa

Don’t cout out Mexico just yet! they are capable of making an upset over the strong Argentina.
http://blue2rose.blogspot.com Blah-Me

Keyser.. I’m with you on the Argentina idea! I would LOVE to see that happening! I see possibilities!!

*fingers crossed*
hoa

Sweden lost to a better team. Germany is no doubt a title contender.

and the ref! hum, I don’t want to talk about him anymore.
matthew

whats betting a argie is sent off after ten minutes next just to help the germans
http://blue2rose.blogspot.com Blah-Me

26 shots made by Germany.. 11 on goal!!

5 shots by Sweden.. 2 on goal!!

The difference is very saddening.

I expected better of Sweden! :o
E Fisher

GO GERMANY!!!! Next World Champs!!!
futbol

Not quite World Champs yet.

Unlike Swe, Arg will be able to drill a big hole in the defense’s middle
laprimavera

Great save after save by the Swede goalie. Too bad about this ref. He single-handedly ruined the game for both teams. Sweden got the raw deal and ended up losing the game, and Germany’s victory may be remembered as awarded by the ref.
matthew

agree with you lapramiva

though germany were better the ref ruined the game

very sad
http://www.aresthetics.ch/trav Adrian Wagner

This ref talk serious starts getting on my nerves! EVERY SINGLE GAME it’s the ref.

Congratulation Germany! As a Swiss, we always enjoy watching Germany lose. But your first half performance today was absolutely fantastic. It’s a bit scary, because usualy, Germany plays sh$% and goes far – I don’t want to imagine what happens if you play well. :) Sweden is one of the biggest disappointments for me on this WC. They were lucky they were in a relatively tame group to get this far.

What a cracker would Arg – Ger be! Go Gauchos (I say with a bleeding ‘Mexican’ heart – I like both Argentina and Mexico).
dietmar

who woke up today thinkin’ that they wouldn’t step it up?
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

The way the refs are going the second half of the final will be 8-a-side just because they can card them that much.

I wonder sometimes if soccer should adopt a penalty box. I know they won’t, and it’s a pretty silly idea, but it’d be nice to see teams only play part of the game a man down for multiple yellows, especially in big games like this one.
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

I’m finally getting to watch the replay. Klinsmann is a visor short of looking like a doppelganger of Steve Spurrier.
http://fifawc6002.blogspot.com hesseh

German Pride…
it’s very beautiful. Germany& Argentina. See this blog too:
http://fifawc6002.blogspot.com
http://fifaworldcup.sporati.com Milo Riano

My predictions was slight off Germany 2-1 (Sweden) The swedish free kick was just waaaayyyy above the head.
too bad…

http://fifaworldcup.sporati.com/preview-2nd-stage-gemany-vs-sweden.page
Dave Hamilton

Red card was given with style and a grin. Lost my prediction because Larsson kicks PKs like Beckham! German backline will be exposed evntually, just a matter of time.

Dave hamildav@yahoo.com
futbol

Comparing Ger and Arg:

Ger vs Arg
8/10 Offense 8/10
9/10 Midfield 9/10
6/10 Defense 7/10

Arg will win by 1 goal!!!
KC

How can you watch World Cup with your children when there are complete disregard for the rules and referee can make his own rules!
With the media replay, the referee should be guided instead of referees ego! The game between Swiss and South Korea on June 23, 2006, the flag was clearly up and the Swiss should not have received the second point.
http://fifaworldcup.sporati.com Milo Riano

How about heart and crowd?

Germany 10 – argentina 6
http://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s379.htm cfc069

Can’t wait to see Ballack in a Chelsea shirt next season.
He was awesome today!

BTW Chelsea season ticket holder and a 40 Year true blue.

l8ter
futbol

Note that heart and crowd go together with pressure
futbol

Klose is wonderful today too. He’s surely one of the best striker in the world.
http://thebiglead.com/?p=561 The Big Lead » blog » You’re Rollin’ Germany, You’re Rollin’

[...] Liveblog: Germany vs. Sweden (World Cup Blog) [...]
Cameron

The ref. destroyed the game.

There should be refs. off-site that should be allowed to over-rule MAJOR bad decisions (such as a goal or red card).

It could have been an excellent game. And Sweden never let Germany score again even with only 10 men for almost 60 minutes!
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

The call in the Swiss-Korea game was correct. The ref was standing right there and saw the foot go off the defender’s foot.

I have no idea what Lucic was carded for. I watched that replay half a dozen times on the TiVo, and I still can’t figure out exactly how he did anything worse than what I’ve seen a dozen other times in the tournament.
DerLude

i agree…
the refs in the worldcup are 60% – 70% just sh** even in the GER SWE game …but at all we saw a extrem good german team at all.

it really destroys my wordcup fever seeing that fifa refs … there where s much cards in that game … one bad foul against ballack also sweden … but hey im german so…