Germans light up Gdansk

Euro 2012 has been waiting for a team to really stamp its authority on this tournament; and last night Germany grabbed that opportunity in hugely convincing style with a display so powerful and confident they could rightly overtake Spain as favourites to win the trophy.

Joachim Low rested his entire front three in Gdansk but still saw his team romp to a 4-2 victory — with goals from Philipp Lahm, Sami Khedira, Miroslav Klose and Marco Reus — that was a real statement of intent and possibly the most complete display of the tournament so far, and certainly one of the most entertaining.

When you look at the statistics of this German team it’s hard not to be impressed; they won every single one of their 10 qualifying matches to reach Euro 2012 and every single group game once they arrived here. Last night’s win means they have now posted 15 straight victories in a row in competitive football and in overcoming Greece, the team that has frustrated so many opponents in recent years and lost just two of their previous 24 matches themselves, they marked themselves out as something special.

The vibrant, attacking nature of the German team, even when Greece equalised against the odds and against the run of play, was particularly noticeable, and having now arrived in the semi-final, with either Italy or England next, there is no reason to think they do not have the potential to end up as champions.

Certainly when you compare their performances so far to that of holders Spain, who rather dragged themselves through the group stage and who have shown none of the energy and attacking impetus of the Germans, then the title is there for the taking.

Manager Low made a big decision in the build-up to the match by leaving out top scorer Mario Gomez, Lukas Podolski and Thomas Muller at the Gdansk Arena; the argument being that their replacements would add pace — and in the case of Klose, some wily experience — to a team that knew would have to work hard and play clever to break down Greece’s stubborn defence.

Andre Schurrle and Marco Reus (who scored 21 goals in 37 games for Borussia Monchengladbach last season) were the other men to benefit from the decision, which also saw Jerome Boateng return from suspension to replace Lars Bender at right-back; changes that gave Germany a fresh, energetic look.

This game was played out in the political as well as football arena, given the economic crisis in Greece and the EU; and the sight of German chancellor Angela Merkel sat alongside Uefa’s Michel Platini — with the Greek entourage just seats away — had news cameras clicking away.

But thankfully the football was too good to be looking at the stands for too long. The Germans could have been ahead within the first few minutes if Bastian Schweinsteiger had not been just a few centimetres offside when goalkeeper Michalis Sifakis did well to save Khedira’s snap-shot.

Another Khedira shot skidded off the goalkeeper’s gloves to safety before Germany eventually broke the deadlock after 39 minutes. And when it came, it was a wonderful effort — full-back Lahm cutting in from the left to curl a spectacular right-foot shot into the top corner of the net.

Even when brave Greece equalised through Celtic’s Giorgos Samaras, sliding home a low cross from Dimitis Salpingidis, it was the way the Germans responded that makes you think they have something special.

Within 19 minutes they were 4-1 up; and the quality of their goals will have England and Italy shuffling nervously in their seats as they consider the prospect of a semi-final against Low’s side in Warsaw next week.

Khedira was first, producing a stunning volley to lash home a cross from Jerome Boateng, before Klose rose so high to head home a third and Reus rounded off an excellent and exciting performance by flashing home another wonderful effort.

Only a late penalty, converted by Salpingidis for the never-say-die Greeks, gave the scoreline anything other than the look of a landslide, which is truth is what it was. The Greeks are very tough to beat and almost impossible to cow; but this German side looks very special indeed.

The bar has now been set; it’s up to Spain and others to try and reach it.

Subs for Germany: Muller for Schurrle 67, Gomez for Klose 79, Gotze for Reus 80.

Subs for Greece: Fotakis for Tzavelas 46, Gekas for Ninis 46, Liberopoulos for Makos 71.