6/26/2011: Canada v. Germany

**Vic** · 06-03-2011, 10:10 AM

Time to get the party started.

As we discovered a year ago in Dresden, and the entire world that summer, beating the Germans at home is easier on the chalkboard than on the field.

They are as complete a team as has ever been assembled in women's soccer. From front to back strong. Organized, well prepared, and above all else serious. To say the Germans don't [insert 4-letter of your choice] around is putting it mildly. They will play at an extremely fast pace and with a skill level we haven't seen in half a year (and rarely do). They will be confident, unrelenting and give no quarter, not even a fraction of an ounce.

You would be hard-pressed to find someone to argue they aren't better skilled, stronger, smarter, faster. Unfortunately for them though, the game is about much more than that. I think our chances of denying them points are good, especially if it rains heavy. Let the skies open.

The guy in the video below is the Kaiser:

**Vic** · 06-03-2011, 10:11 AM

These three are a great set of ads for the German postal service. Canada Post they just called you out for 2014/2015.

Nadine Angerer, Alexandra Popp and Fatmire Bajramaj:

**Vic** · 06-03-2011, 01:51 PM

The Italians went down 0-5 in Osnabrück with the Germans wearing their new Adidas kit. Italy pushed the Americans in their playoff for the final World Cup berth, going down 0-1 in both legs. Our last result against the Azzuri was 1-0 in Cyprus off a Jonelle Filigno left-footer in the first half.

We also know the new kit gives pretty well:

**mtlfan** · 06-04-2011, 07:16 AM

Video Highlights

http://tv.dfb.de/index.php?view=3403

**Trillium** · 06-04-2011, 10:06 AM

I think a lot of the tone of this thread has been just how awesome the Germans are and therefore pre supposing an excuse to our team if we do not get a result in Germany.

Most of you guys need a good dose of Own the Podium.

Factor to win, good mental state, focus and heart.

The German team will be caught up in media efforts and hoopla all week, our team will be able to focus on the issue at hand, train and visualize the game in the stadia, we will have few if any distractions, the CSA will not have any hosted events as they are planning nothing in support of team at this point. Morace has them all to herself to get them in the right head space, I think they are almost there from what players are saying .... just a few killer tweaks and the unit will be fine.

I think the Germans are going to be just as intimidated by the 80k in the stadia a the Canadians .... all players get that rush and tingle of excitement and nervousness, but if we play rope a dope and absorb the German offence the longer and longer we are at 0 to 0 the greater the pressure on Germany not on us.

We will need to go forward to win, but we can do that off the counter attack rather then rain to hope for, I would want a summer heat wave....bring on the humidity and heat and let the Germans run.... as we play short controlling balls then counter attack when its on.

Tactics in the game will be paramount, I think Morace can be a willy as anyone coaching on the women's side.

Sinclair if she is to remain a leader or the leader on this team will need to work like the horse she can be, she needs to power through when she gets the ball at her feet and then make it count, we wont be firing forty long balls to get one in ala EP, but that does not mean we should not expect Sinclair to put her stamp on the game.

**Joe MacCarthy** · 06-04-2011, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by Trillium

Most of you guys need a good dose of Own the Podium.

The CMNT receives funding from Own the Podium to the tune of $1,746,000.

Now if we had access to the former Top Secret program that was so successful in Vancouver, I'd be more confident.

Canada has proven to be a second half team (superior fitness?). If they can stay close to the Jerries after the first half it could get real interesting.

**Saviola7** · 06-04-2011, 02:25 PM

Well I for one hope they win so that the QF match I have tickets for is the late game. That way my son doesn't have to miss his soccer tournament in the morning.

**Vic** · 06-04-2011, 04:25 PM

Saviola - post pics of both tournaments!

We all pray the planets are aligned and we're on top of the world both June 27th and again July 18th.

"Factor to win, good mental state, focus and heart."

That's every team going on the field at this level. And the Germans have been through not just a generic all-sport Own the Podium program but one custom-designed to them and winning the World Cup. What was the number quoted by Dorrance the other day - the association has almost 20 people employed full-time in the development of women's soccer.

The German women have won every single Women's European Championship since 1993, they are currently the best team in the world in public opinion, and they're defending World Cup champions playing at home. There's no point in sugar-coating it - they are that awesome. How people react to that is their perogative, but again it's do you want to live in reality or on fantasy island?

If we win the tournament a stamp would be great but I'm sure what motivates all the women beyond the victory is the financial considerations it means to them personally. And if we go down in flames excuses are unimportant and meaningless. This stage and tournament is far beyond anything like that, especially for Canada.

Interestingly the above photo on Wikipedia is called "Canada_vs_Germany_in_Dresden." And one of the comments in the description of the photo is:

German player of the year Inka Grings scored the 1-0 at seconds minute by a penalty. Germany dominated throughout first half but failed to expand the lead.... Germany coach Silvia Neid brought to a conclusion: "In first half we weren't consequent enough, but then we got the Canadians tired."

The penalty was rather bogus and Neid's analysis is shamefully inaccurate.

A couple more Drseden from WOGERCAN10 on Wikipedia: