Germany vs Portugal - Match preview and team news
The second game of Group B sees the 2008 finalists, Germany, against the 2004 finalists, Portugal. Both teams are looking to right their previous wrongs and win this year’s European Championships.
Qualifying for the tournament in incredible fashion, Germany will be planning to continue their run of 10 wins in 10 games of competitive international football. To do that, the German team will need to maintain another impressive feat - their goal scoring records. In qualification they managed an average of over 3 goals per game, conceding less than 7 times in 10 matches.
Portugal made things a little harder for themselves getting to the tournament, coming second to fellow Group B team Denmark, they had to win a playoff against Bosnia and Herzegovina. They come into the tournament having only won 5 of their last 10 games, so they will need something special to help them turn this poor run of games around.
Fortunately they have Cristiano Ronaldo, who will be looking to prove himself on the international stage having had another impressive season at club level – scoring 71 times in 64 appearances for Real Madrid – something he hasn’t replicated for his national team having not managed to score in the 3 games he has played for them this season.
Germany have no injury concerns heading into the game, Phillip Lahm and Sami Khedira were worries earlier in the week but have returned to training and look set to play. Likewise Portugal have a fully fit squad, Nani the only concern having picked up a foot injury also seems ready to go.
The last time these two teams met was at Euro 2008, Germany winning 3-2 on their way to the final. A common theme, in the previous 16 games these to have played, the Germans have run out winner 8 times to Portugal’s 3.
Check out the Euro 2012 odds and get some tips on the European Championships betting.
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