Follow the game on ESPN 2, slated for a 11:45 EST kick-off. I will be beginning a running commentary a bit late today but will join you all shortly. I like the Croatian team and thought they could surprise, but Germany have to be considered the favorites here, and I like them to win 2-1 today. Post your thoughts on the game and comment on the game early on to fill in for me!
Running Commentary:
Final: 2-1 Croatia stuns Germany. What a victory for Croatia, they will almost certainly be on to the quarterfinals while Germany will have work left to do. To make matters worse for Germany they will not have Schweinsteiger available as they play their third game in hopes of moving on.
90th: Yellow cards galore, 2 to Croatia, 1 to Lehmann. And there is the final whistle.
90th: Wow, red card to Schweinsteiger, a retaliatory shove. On replay is doesn't look like a red card at all, some acting and grabbing of the face by the Croatian player who was barely touched, what a shame.
90th: Croatia comes close again and will have a corner, time is running out on Germany.
85th: Kranjcar comes off for a defensive minded player whos name I will not attempt.
82nd: Kuranyi on for Fritz. Croatia on the attack but Germany escapes without further harm.
81st: Srna is off for Leko as Croatia attempts to hang on for the 3 points. Kuranyi is set to come on for Germany.
79th: GOAL: Germany gets one back, 2-1 and now it will be interesting. Lahm plays a ball in to Ballack, the ball comes back for Podolski who slams the ball into the back of the net.
75th: Yellow card to Ballack for a late tackle. This has been one to forget for him.
73rd: Schweinsteiger comes close from a bad angle, corner to Germany. The ball is cleared.
70th: Corner to Croatia, Germany does not need to be defending so much down 2-0, but they can't get out of their half.
67th: A dangerous free kick coming for Croatia, about 26 yards out from straight on. No problem for Germany. Schweinsteiger is on for Gomez.
61st: GOAL: Croatia goes up 2-0 and Germany is in trouble! A ball in on goal is missed by a diving Lehmann, the ball hits the post and comes back into the middle while a helpless Lehmann is on the ground. The defenders are caught watching as the ball is tapped in by Olic.
57th: Another corner for Germany, they still look slow to me today though. That said, they have been maintaining some pressure in the Croatian end recently.
48th: Corner kick coming up to Germany, Croatia clears.
46th: The second half has begun and Odonkor is on for Jansen. I think this is a great sub for Germany, those who remember Odonkor from the last World Cup will recall good things!
Halftime: It remains 1-0 with Croatia on top. I missed a few posts here, as Croatia had a nice shot saved by Lehmann, then Germany had a ball find the back of the net but the goal was called off. I didn't hear the explanation, but Pletikosa (Croatian GK) dropped a high ball that was poked in, but apparently a foul was called. Didn't look like much contact with the keeper to me, but Germany didn't argue all that much so who knows. I think we could be in for an entertaining second half as Germany must find a way to score. I think you'll see them go forward with greater enthusiasm, look for the outside backs to get forward even more. Germany should look more potent, while at the same time being more exposed to the counter. Let's hope this leads to more goals!
38th: I didn't fall asleep, just nothing major going on the last few minutes.
30th: Whoops... Kranjcar has a ball hop to an open space in the center of the box but he hits it well high. Pretty good opportunity for Croatia to go up 2-0 there, will that miss matter?
27th: Yellow card to the goalscorer, Srna. Germany wastes the free kick.
24th: GOAL: Wow! Croatia takes a 1-0 lead and shocks Germany. A ball is swung to the far post where Darijo Srna finishes. I must say the marking by Jansen left much to be desired. Let's see how Germany reponds.
15th: Some back and forth action with both teams feeling each other out. Not much between them early. Free kick coming for Croatia, they go short and now draw a corner.
5th: We're scoreless early on and again rain is in the forecast.
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