The opener fixtures of the
EURO 2012 qualification brings on Friday in
Group A the match between
Belgium and
Germany. The guests are favourites in this group, but the young Belgium team could surprise.
The World Cup 2002 in Japan/South Korea was Belgium´s last tournament. Since then Belgium could qualify neither for a World Cup nor EURO final round. New head coach Georges Leekens will stop this negative series and qualify with his young team for the UEFA EURO 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. Leekens and his co trainer Marc Wilmots rely on the youngsters Eden Hazard (19), Romelu Lukaku (17) and Marouane Fellaini (22). Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen are the key players in Belgium´s defensive unit.
After the strong performance at the FIFA World Cup 2010 Germany will be favourites in their EURO qualification Group A. Head coach Joachim Löw rely on his World Cup squad, so 17 of the 21 players are World Cup starters. Not in the squad is the long-time captain Michael Ballack, he will give his comeback in the home match against Turkey (8 October, 2010). Furthermore coach Löw will have to pass on Arne Friedrich, Jerome Boateng, Piotr Trochowski, Dennis Aogo and Thomas Hitzlsperger (all injured).
Belgium – Germany EURO 2012 qualifiers, Group A
Date: 3 September, 2010 - 20:45 CET
Stadium: Roi Baudouin, Brussels
Referee: Terje Hauge (Norway)
Belgium: Keeper: Bailly
Defenders: Vermaelen, Lombaerts, van Buyten, Kompany
Midfielders: de Bruyne, Hazard, Defour, Fallaini
Forwards: Benteke, Lukaku
Coach: Georges Leekens
Injured: Legear
Booked:
Germany: Keeper: Neuer
Defenders: Lahm, Mertesacker, Westermann, Jansen
Midfielders: Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Müller, Özil, Podolski
Forwards: Klose
Coach: Joachim Löw
Injured: Friedrich, Boateng, Trochowski, Aogo, Hitzlsperger
Booked:
The Roi Baudouin in Brussels will be sold out at Belgium´s opener against Germany. With the support of their fans Belgium could provide for a surprise. Referee is Terje Hauge from Norway.
Last meeting: 20.08.2008, Germany - Belgium 2:0
Wins Belgium: 4
Wins Germany: 18
Draws: 1
Germany have a nearly perfect head-to-head versus Belgium. They are unbeaten since 1954. I guess that Germany continues this run and wins the away match at Belgium. My tip:
Win Germany.
The best odds for '
Win Germany' you find at
Tipico,
888sport and
Expekt.
