Predicting Showdown at Euro 2012: Germany Faces Portugal
In the upcoming Group B matches of Euro 2012, one of the most anticipated encounters will be between Germany and Portugal on 9th June.
Germany, who are currently favoured to win against Portugal with odds of 10/11, will be looking to avenge their semi-final defeat in the 2012 tournament. In that match, Portugal, with odds of 12/5 to win, pushed Germany all the way, but eventually lost to Italy 2-1, and Spain in a penalty shootout, 0(4)–0(2).
However, Germany's form leading up to the tournament has been somewhat shaky. They struggled to find their top form against Israel on 31st May, resulting in a 2-0 win, with goals from Mario Gomez and Andre Schürrle. This was followed by a shocking 5-3 defeat to Switzerland on 26th May. Mats Hummels, Andre Schürrle, and Marco Reus scored for Germany in the match, but it was not enough to prevent the defeat.
On the other hand, Portugal's warm-up matches have not been particularly successful. They were held to a goalless draw against Macedonia on 26th May, and suffered a 3-1 defeat to Turkey on 2nd June. Umut Bulut scored a brace for Turkey, while Nani scored for Portugal and Pepe conceded an own goal.
Portugal's Seleccao boss, Paulo Bento, has stated that his team must be organized, courageous, attack in an organized way, be strong, aggressive, and cohesive to defeat Germany.
Interestingly, Switzerland managed to hand Germany a surprise defeat in a friendly match on 26th May. Eren Derdiyok scored a hat-trick for Switzerland, with Stephan Lichtsteiner and Admir Mehmedi also getting on the scoresheet. Germany responded with a 2-0 win against Israel on 31st May, with goals from Mario Gomez and Andre Schürrle.
Group B matches at Euro 2012 will also include Holland vs Denmark and Germany vs Portugal on 9th June. The odds for a draw between Germany and Portugal are 16/5.
As the tournament approaches, both teams will be aiming to find their best form and secure a win in this highly anticipated match.
In the Group B matches of Euro 2012, while Germany is currently favored to win against Portugal with odds of 10/11, they will seek to atone for their semi-final defeat in the 2012 tournament, a rematch that Portugal, with odds of 12/5 to win, had challenged fiercely, ultimately losing to Italy in the final and Spain in a penalty shootout. In contrast, Portugal's warm-up matches have not yielded convincing results, with a goalless draw against Macedonia and a 3-1 loss to Turkey, while Germany's form leading up to the tournament has been unsteady, with a 2-0 win against Israel but a shocking 5-3 defeat to Switzerland. Despite these setbacks, both teams are preparing to find their peak performance in the highly anticipated match scheduled for the 9th of June.
