Well, reasonably i'd say i expect us (Greece) to lose. On the other hand, Greek football is totally random some times and some teams get unpredictable wins against much better European teams if they are motivated. I think it will depend on the kind of media coverage and public figures present in the field.

If fans and players are aware of what papers like Bild are publishing about the whole thing (ok, i know it's not considered a top of the line publication, more like a tabloid, but they are mixing politics with footbal in their articles and people here are reacting to the "trolling") and Mrs Merkel is in the stadium to watch the match, they will probably try much harder to win this one. Otherwise they might simply play this as a normal match, with lower levels of motivation.

I'm not really bothered either way.

I like the German Team but will be supporting Greece. Everyone expects Greece to lose (and they probably will) but I thought that back in 2004 for every game that eventually took them to the finals...........which they also won. After that I gave up predicting the outcome of any match. The Greeks will park the bus and that's about as much as I will predict.

Engalnd V Italy? I expect England to lose simply because I won't be disappointed if they do but footy is a funny old game and they seem to have come up Trumps with 'sketchy' performances!

Don't miss Siena and the magical Val d'Orcia!

Honestly, I do not expect anything in this game. In theory the german team should be better, but in theory the russian team should have been better, too. And never underestimate the factor "will". Especcialy if a Merkel is watching in person.
I am looking forward to a very intense game here.
As long both sides remember it is a game and not politics, however, that could become an awesome match =)

"More like a tabloid?" It is a tabloid incarnated and enjoys such a reputation that nobody ever admits to reading it. Obviously enough do, anyways. And it has a much greater influence on german public opinion then most would admit. Kinda like the Daily Mail in the UK, same level.

But I have hopes for the game. I think neither side wants to be the baddy and thus we may even see a fairer game then most.

Allez les grecs! Allez les grecs! Allez les grecs! Allez les grecs! Allez les grecs! Allez les grecs! Allez les grecs! Allez les grecs! Allez les grecs! Allez les grecs! Allez les grecs! Allez les grecs! Allez les grecs! Allez les grecs! Allez les grecs! Allez les grecs!

We all know how this is going to end :cool:

oh... a msistart? lol

lets go.. im hoping for a germany win, i still think russia desearved more to be playing today.... but victorys is what counts.

Allez les allemands,Allez les allemands,Allez les allemands,Allez les allemands,Allez les allemands,Allez les allemands,Allez les allemands,Allez les allemands,Allez les allemands,Allez les allemands,Allez les allemands,Allez les allemands,Allez les allemands,Allez les allemands,Allez les allemands.:-P

Yeah, at least the fans will be careful i think in order not to cause bad publicity for their teams :-P

P.S. We are losing 1-0 it seems. Maybe Merkel is not bothering them enough to do something about it :grin:

Never underestimate the annoyance factor where Frau Merkel is concerned

1-1 !!!!!!!!