The Official UEFA Euro 2008 Thread

[elprincipe]

okr said:

koffieboon said:

okr said:

koffieboon said:
Do people think Germany will keep playing with Lehmann? He really looked insecure throughout the tournament and he should have prevented both Turkish goals today. But to replace the goalie in the final might be quite a gamble to make for Low.

Lehmann would only be replaced if he died before Sunday. But he's not THAT old. The worst national goalkeeper Germany ever had. I'm happy that his era will be over on Sunday, no matter if Germany wins or not.

Sounds like he should have been replaced awhile ago, when did he take over from Kahn? And who should become the new goalie? I'm not that familiar with goalies from other countries, so I have no idea what other goalies Germany has. But I'm sure they must have at least one who is better than Lehmann.

Jens Lehmann was installed as No.1 when Oliver Kahn was demoted to No. 2 by Jürgen Klinsmann only a few weeks before World Championships 2006. It was a sensation in Germany, it created a mass media earthquake. Sepp Maier (who was the goal coach of FC Bayern and the national team then) went crazy, insulted Klinsmann and was dismissed. It was clear what Klinsmann wanted: Decrease the enormous influence FC Bayern always had (especially behind the scenes) on the national team since the 70s - similar to Ajax in Holland.

The idea was not bad, but Lehmann was the wrong choice from the start. Substitute an aged world-class keeper by an overrated middle-class keeper at nearly the same age was not the smartest move.

Even worse: Germany's No. 2 (and designated No. 1 after Euro 2008), Timo Hildebrandt, was thrown out of the team by Löw right before Euro 2008 and replaced by another keeper. This was the second goalkeeper sensation in Germany within two years. In the last decades, the 2nd goalkeeper always and ever was promoted after the No.1 retired. But Hildebrandt wasn't even allowed to be in the team as No. 2 or 3. That was a shabby move by Löw and a very strange decision. I hope Hildebrandt gets another chance. He's an excellent keeper.

BTW: Edwin van der Saar was in great shape in this tournament. Unlike Lehmann he showed how experienced goalkeepers should play and his performances absolutely justifed his nomination.

 

Yes, Van der Sar played very well at Euro 2008, also Gianluigi Buffon, although Petr Cech didn't do so well.  Who does Germany have behind Hildebrand?  He's been playing in Spain, I don't know how well.  I don't know much about other German keepers.  I guess at this time Spain of all countries has the deepest goalkeeping capacity in Europe (Casillas, Reina and Palop are all great keepers).