Euro 2012: Portugal and Germany eager for a sprightly start

After facing Portugal in Lviv, Germany face Holland in their second group game while Portugal face the Dutch in their final fixture after meeting Denmark next Wednesday.

Losing this evening could therefore have serious repercussions, which Germany forward Thomas Muller is particularly keen to avoid.

“Making a good start is crucial because you avoid a pressure situation with the game against Holland,” the Bayern Munich forward said. “We don’t want to go into the Holland game, against a nation who finished second at the last World Cup, with a bad feeling and being nervous that we might not make the quarter-finals. You only get three games in the group phase and all three opponents are very strong, so you really cannot afford to slip up.”

Yet, while Germany may have one eye on Holland, their coach Joachim Low does not want them to lose their focus against one of the sides he believes will have a big say in where the title goes this year. “Portugal are a team who can beat anybody,” Low warned. “They have very good players who play for big clubs, and they have always been a top nation in tournaments. I don’t just mean Cristiano Ronaldo, who of course has fantastic skills and can decide games on his own, but also Nani, Pepe; Portugal have a strong backbone and are technically very strong. Ronaldo is definitely the star, but they have many other world-class players in their team.”

Ronaldo returned the compliment, but made it clear that Portugal’s game plan will not be based on trying to contain the Germans. “When we enter any competition, we do so with the intention of winning it,” he said. “We know it will be very difficult, but maybe this will be our turn. Germany are very strong opponents and they have great players, but I think that Portugal are a team who can always play well against top opponents. We are facing one of the best opponents, but we have to concentrate on our strengths.”