World Cup QF: Sep 6 GDT - Germany vs. Finland

Matchup: Germany vs. Finland
Venue, City: Hartwall Arena, Helsinki
Time: 1:00 PM EDT

Rosters: Germany (http://wch2004.com/rosters/index.html#germany) | Finland (http://wch2004.com/rosters/index.html#finland)

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I hope we don't get to see another Belarus - like upset. Go Finland!
Prediction: 4-1 Finland.

This will get tougher than the finns think. 2-1 Finland.

4-2 Finland.

Germany will win tonight. It`s a matter of hours before those three other players that Aamulehti mentioned will refuse to play under Raimo Summanen`s command.

Team Finland is mentally shaken and will be defeated. After the game Raimo Summanen will strangle once again some innocent reporter who happen stand on his way.

4-1 finland

http://broadband.espn.go.com/multisport/index

I was on it last night and it worked very well. Great picture.

This game will be on via broadband. :handclap:

Biggest concern for team Finland is that how can they handle this situation mentally. Niinimaa leaving, "easy" opponent....

If Finland is mentally ready this game is over after 1st period.

6-1 Finland.

If Niinimaa's leaving hasn't affected the team too much mentally, then 4-1...if it has, then this could get difficult. Niinimaa's efforts as a player won't be that much missed.

If Niinimaa's leaving hasn't affected the team too much mentally, then 4-1...if it has, then this could get difficult. Niinimaa's efforts as a player won't be that much missed.

If he's not that much missed then why was he in lineup every night?
Berg played 2 and sucked in both, so Väänänen in and he played well so we can assume Ossi's now a starter.

Berg or Pitkänen inplace of Niinimaa? If Pitkänens his equal (i agree he is over and above Niinimaa in terms of potential and future and maybe even now) but if Pitkänen only got 1 practice game and hasnt played yet, then whats the reason? That he is off-form? Out of shape? Summanen doesnt like him? (If thats the case, all the more reason to sack him)

I'll wager Pitkänen in, impresses, Finland wins 3-1, but only start playing in final period as team takes time to gather itself because of whats happened over weekend.

Damn, there I made the prediction, I was supposed to avoid thus cursing Finland by making predictions..

Now it`s time for Summanen to show what he really can do! Can he motivate the players after Niimaa left? I don`t think shouting will this time make a difference vice versa. Has Summanen tools to get team play well without shouting to players? We`ll see...........

I predict team Finland plays lame game, do enough goals to win but nothing else. We wont see fighting lions tonight my friends........... :(

I think that Finland will play great and dominate the game, but since Germany will probably fight back hard and Kölzig is amazing in the net, Finland will only win 2-1 or 3-1. I just hope we don't see another Belarus-like upset since this is one of the most important tournaments for Finnish hockey so far.

2-1 finland.After 2 periods it will be 1-1.Summanen wrestles with players in locker room,and they pull a victory.

3-1 Finland.

8-1 Finland

Given the Niinima story, Finland doesn't seem to have it all together. They should pull off this one regardless.

FINLAND 4-0 GERMANY

Let's see how Summanen is acting through out the game. Is the same yelling going on, or will he keep it in the locker room. Did you guys see the ex-coach of Germany?? That guy was Insane!
When the game started he was like: :rant:
In 10 minutes: :mad:
2nd round: :mad:
3rd round: :mad:
end of the game: :thumbd:

8-1 Finland
That would be possible if you play Sweden's goalie insted of Kolzig :lol .

FINLAND 4-0 GERMANY

Let's see how Summanen is acting through out the game. Is the same yelling going on, or will he keep it in the locker room. Did you guys see the ex-coach of Germany?? That guy was Insane!
When the game started he was like: :rant:
In 10 minutes: :mad:
2nd round: :mad:
3rd round: :mad:
end of the game: :thumbd:
I wonder if Summanen is that bad why is Ninnima the only one that left?

4-0 win for Finland.

That would be possible if you play Sweden's goalie insted of Kolzig :lol .

Kölzig has so far been the biggest rebound shower in the tournament.

I wonder if Summanen is that bad why is Ninnima the only one that left?
I really like Summanen. I think he might be even better than Aravirta. But you know...Summanen and Niinimaa have had somekind of problems before...

2-1 Germany

Team Finland is mentally shaken and will be defeated.
:handclap:

4-0 win for Finland.

That's a killer avatar. :lol :yo:

Finland will romp. 6-1

If he's not that much missed then why was he in lineup every night?


Perhaps the reason he left was that Summanen wouldn't have put him in the lineup for the next game?

Perhaps the reason he left was that Summanen wouldn't have put him in the lineup for the next game?

Berg in and Niinimaa out, maybe we never know. :dunno:

Perhaps the reason he left was that Summanen wouldn't have put him in the lineup for the next game?

So you're saying benching is only reason Niinimaa quits team?? It'd take a lot more than that to get him to quit a team!

Berg in and Niinimaa out, maybe we never know. :dunno:

What on earth must Pitkänen do to get icetime?

So you're saying benching is only reason Niinimaa quits team?? It'd take a lot more than that to get him to quit a team!


I'm not saying it was the only reason, but something like that could easily have been the last straw.

Not that I think it will happen, but if the Germans actually did win this one, they (and not the winner in tomorrows match) would play Canada (assuming they win their QF). Or so Swedish TV is reporting.

What on earth must Pitkänen do to get icetime?

That's not in my decision. I would like to see Pitkänen on ice, but I fear that defence will be:

Timonen-Numminen
Salo-Väänänen
Berg-Lydman

or maybe Lydman-Väänen and Salo-Berg dunno....

I feel bad for Germany and will predict them to win. 3-2 Germany :teach:

Unfortunately as I am not in America that broadband link just gives me the big red E. Does anyone have a link to a commentary?
Surely this must be on Finnish radio on the internet somewhere?
Hope someone can help.

Ugh... Is this supposed to be hockey? :shakehead

Here's a great drinking game:

1 shot/beer every time Berg mishandles the puck on the offensive blueline

1 shot/beer every time Berg passes the puck to teammates skates or a metre too far

2 shots/beers every time Berg loses the puck on his own zone

3 shots/beers every time Berg misses his coverage and allows a scoring chance for opponents

4 shots/beers every time Berg is made look like a pylon by opponents forward

Thank god Berg plays for the Leafs so he's not usually around when World Championships are played, my liver couldn't take it.

Here's a great drinking game:
1 shot/beer every time Berg mishandles the puck on the offensive blueline
1 shot/beer every time Berg passes the puck to teammates skates or a metre too far
2 shots/beers every time Berg loses the puck on his own zone
3 shots/beers every time Berg misses his coverage and allows a scoring chance for opponents
4 shots/beers every time Berg is made look like a pylon by opponents forward
.

:yo: The same drinking game could unfortunately be "applied" to Kim Johnsson's play in this tourney :)

"Berg menettää kiekon..." (berg loses the puck) :handclap:

Let the beer drinking game begin!

0-0 after the first period

Wow, this has been pretty boring.. hasn't it? Where is the intensity, the physical play? hmmz

Anyone smellling an upset?

0-0 after the first period

Wow, this has been pretty boring.. hasn't it? Where is the intensity, the physical play? hmmz

:dunno:

Anyone smellling an upset?
You mean that smell that would even overpower the stench of a thousand skunks with their tails up a centimeter from your nose?

0-0 after the first period

Wow, this has been pretty boring.. hasn't it? Where is the intensity, the physical play? hmmz

True... lame audience, lame game :(

Best of the 1st period was commercial breaks. (I had time to go to the fridge)

as usual, the finns have drained all their power against sweden.

Time for the finns to start skating.

omg germany had the chance to take the lead 2-3 times in 2nd period :eek:

finland sucks right now.

Holy crap! Finland is in trouble!

Sturm almost scored! I smell an upset here too... :shakehead

This game is so entertaining! :yo:

Almost fell asleep in the first period, now Germany had some chances to score. Could be interesting result coming...

Holy crap! Finland is in trouble!

Sturm almost scored! I smell an upset here too... :shakehead

thank god for finland they have kipper in the goal or germany would be ahead now.

who needs sleeping pills when you can watch the Germans stack 4 at the blue line all night long? :(

Wow! The 2nd period is exciting... because Germany has had many good scoring chances! If Finland keeps playing like this, I really hope they lose! :banghead:

Where's the furious Raimo Summanen?

now time for the Power Play to wake up

correct dissallowe goal. btw the refs doesn't take any penalties on the finns.

Damn You Espn!!!!

:cry:

what a pass from timonnen cross ice to set up the tic tac toe :handclap: :yo:

HAGMAN! MY FAVORITE FINNISH PLAYER SCORES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:banana: :jump:

A goal. We lead 1-0. Yippee. Doesn't really make me feel any better since the team is playing like a lost sheap herd. :shakehead

Lets Go Saku!!! Lets Go Teemu!!!

18-17 shots finland after 2 periods. Kipprusof has been amazing.

Summanen really can make this team play. He is so good motivating people, without shouting.

Väänänen just checked Kovachik to the Germany bench :lol: :lol

Looks like Finland is playing not to lose. Germany's getting several decent chances.

PP for Germany!

Does it seem like the Finns are hurting without Niinimaa?

And once again, **** ESPN. :mad:

Does it seem like the Finns are hurting without Niinimaa?

And once again, ***** ESPN. :mad:

We are hurting with Summanen and team spirit he has greated to this team.

What is wrong with ESPN?

Sturm!!!!!!!!!scooooooores!!

Yeah, Go Germany, Go Sturm!

1-1 :eek:

ouch

STURM BABY!!!!!!!!!!! 6 mins to go

Holy Crap!

What the............... :eek:

Whoa... All I can say is "Belarus". :shakehead :cry:

The finns are having big probs with the germs. Guess the match against Sweden was too much for the finns...

What is wrong with ESPN?

Showing college football and daygame baseball over the hockey game.

Whoa... All I can say is "Belarus". :shakehead :cry:

Except Germany has outplayed the Finns...

Where is our great leader and tactic mr. Summanen now? Why don`t you make your boys play hockey?

Wow the crowd is gonna be holdin their breath with every shot

Berg - Salo :( on that play

Go Germany!
Arghh and Ive no chance to watch the game.... Do someone know a liveticker or webradio?

Magro

woo... GO BERG can't wait to see u costing the Leafs goals!!! :handclap:

Go Germany!
Arghh and Ive no chance to watch the game.... Do someone know a liveticker or webradio?

Magro

http://stats.swehockey.se/online/37/91203001_frame_default.htm

Go Germany!
Arghh and Ive no chance to watch the game.... Do someone know a liveticker or webradio?

Magro

http://stats.swehockey.se/

just press the live button

I can't watch that crap anymore. Finland is playing pathetic at the moment. :shakehead

Something positive: great jump by Hentunen! :lol

Finns score!!!!! 2-1 Finland

oh well good try germany

Finland scores!

Eloranta!
2-1 Finland

very interesting minutes left

D*mn you Eloranta. I was already hoping we will lose this.

Who scored and how many minutes left?

2:18 left

That was a nice redirection

Germany will have pleeenty of time to scroe a couple. :shakehead

Who scored and how many minutes left?

Eloranta, unassisted at 16:38 of the third.

Who scored and how many minutes left?

Mikko Eloranta.

last minute of play

Huge save by Kolzig to at least give Germany a shot.

:( :cry: This is sad...

Magro

it is OVER

Game over.

2-1 Finland

Whoohoo, what a great game!

The Finnish can no longer talk about the Swedish team being lucky.

The Finnish can no longer talk about the Swedish team being lucky.

exactly

Congrats Finland!

A lot of cred to the German players, a great game by them.

Well, I think someone guessed the score right, then. :handclap:

Still, it was pathetic from Finland. Perhaps the team was shaken by Niinimaa's departure...who knows. But it can't go on like this. :dunno:

A cookie for me. I predicted a 2-1 victory for finland!

Great comment by Jortikka: "Something needs to be done, or is it useless to even fly to NA" :lol

This will get tougher than the finns think. 2-1 Finland.

Well that was boring.

The Finnish can no longer talk about the Swedish team being lucky.

How many last minute goals did you see Finland making in this game to come from behind to a victory?

SectionX
you are happy with that one, aren't you? :D

The Finnish can no longer talk about the Swedish team being lucky.
Pfft, that was skill. You guys have the luck. :lol

Well, it might have been a mediocre effort to advance today, but that's why you play hard to win the top seed in the round robin... to earn the right to get the easier game in the quarters. Nice job by Germany. They came awfully close.

Eloranta, unassisted at 16:38 of the third.

Kimmo was the one with the point shot...lol unassisted :shakehead

http://tsn.ca/world_cup_hockey/feature.asp?fid=9921

the Germans where the better Team. More shots on Goal.
But the Finns had more luck an Kipper.

It sounded like Raimo Summanen said that we played good. He said that it's the win that matters, not style points and that this was 'great for Finnish hockey'. :lol

I'm happy that Finland won, but I think Germany deserved to win.

Great game from Germany against mentally shaken Finns. Eloranta must have swedish blood running through his veins.

Summanen is now grinning in TV. He`s saying that game against Sweden was biggest factor that Finns played so poorly. He denied that case Niinimaa had any effect. He promised that there will be lots of discussion about what happened after this tournament is over.

I`m dissappointed that Raimo didn`t beat that reporter or even strangle him.

Darn lucky Finns! :shakehead

Finland had some troubles here but nice to see them qualify for the semifinals, it would have been somewhat boring to have Germany there, just as it was with Belarus in 2002. They played a very good defensive hockey, and flashed now and then offensively, but I'm sure Finland will bounce back with their high-speed hockey in the semis!

No matter what everyone else in Finland thinks, Raimo Summanen is a great coach and an important man for Finnish hockey. Seriously.

Damm when are we gonna finally beat one of the big gunes in the knock out stages. :banghead: :cry:

We have been close so often. :shakehead

the Germans where the better Team. More shots on Goal.
But the Finns had more luck an Kipper.

More shots on goal? LOL

Germany has at least 10-15 years to reach the level of any of these big 7 countries, dont fool yourself. But I am glad they are trying.

Great Game Germany :handclap: :handclap: :handclap:

Danke Dennis für das Autogram auf mein Trikot beim Spiel in Köln und danke Alexandra das es ermöglicht hast. :banana:

It sounded like Raimo Summanen said that we played good. He said that it's the win that matters, not style points and that this was 'great for Finnish hockey'. :lol

I'm happy that Finland won, but I think Germany deserved to win.

Exactly :lol I am starting to think Summanen is real a clown. Saying this was great game by us and we are now back on top of hockey world. My ass! With performance like this we are nowhere close to top! I am sure Summanen and boys will have enjoyable flyight to NA.

I wouldn't say this was a lucky victory for Finns; rather a bad game against an opponent who was weaker but knew exactly what they were doing. It was very clear in the first period that Germany wasn't even trying to play at all, just making the Finns skate into the defensive wall time after time. Then, they got themselves into the game by adding speed in the beginning of the second period against a frustrated and still somewhat unawake Finnish team. Very good from Germany, but in the end they just didn't have enough capable players to use the chances they got to put the puck in the net. I'd say it was the overall better skill (and that includes goaltending) that finally secured the victory for Finland. It wasn't pretty, but it brought us the tickets to the other side of the Atlantic.

And I'm rambling again. Someone stop me before the next game starts. :teach:

Germany outshot Finland 28-24, and I also counted more scoring chances for them.

Finland was extremly lucky., and kipprusof saved them today.

Finland - German 2-1 (0-0,1-0,1-1) :lol

30.50 1-0 Hagman (Kapanen, Timonen)pp
53.58 1-1 Sturm (Goc)
56.38 2-1 Eloranta (Timonen, Jokinen)


FIN 2x2min, GER 4x2min

Goalies
Miikka Kiprusoff FIN 3+14+10=27
Olaf Kölzig GER 10+ 7+ 5=22

I am sure Summanen and boys will have enjoyable flyight to NA.I`m pretty sure that couple of players will jump out of the plane with parachutes when Raimo gets one his manic phases.

I`m pretty sure that couple of players will jump out of the plane with parachutes when Raimo gets one his manic phases.

:lol

I wouldn`t be suprised if Summanen will be "delivered" to NA same way as hannibal lecter used to be delivered. Old goalie mask on his face, wearing orange straitjacket and handcuffs.

Exactly :lol I am starting to think Summanen is real a clown. Saying this was great game by us and we are now back on top of hockey world. My ass! With performance like this we are nowhere close to top! I am sure Summanen and boys will have enjoyable flyight to NA.

Sorry but this game put us in the top 4. If you did not notice, you are just ignorant. Nobody cares about style.

Germany was never even close to a win. You guys should get the grip already. All the top 7 teams can score on germany almost at will...they can keep the games close when they are underestimated and when they go defense first...but the differense is still huge.

Sorry but this game put us in the top 4. If you did not notice, you are just ignorant. Nobody cares about style.

Two days ago Summanen wanted his team to play exactly like he wanted. Strictly follow his game plan. Today the hole team was just battling for their lifes and they sure didn`t play like Summanen wanted em to play. But somehow it didn`t matter to Summanen today??? He was so lucky to get away of the panic sitution which Germany caused.

edit. And I am so happy if Finland will win WC with that kind of a play. Who cares about style?

Germany was never even close to a win. You guys should get the grip already. All the top 7 teams can score on germany almost at will...they can keep the games close when they are underestimated and when they go defense first...but the differense is still huge.Yeah. It was total Finnish domination all the way. Too bad Finns didn`t seem to want score.

Yeah. It was total Finnish domination all the way. Too bad Finns didn`t seem to want score
:lol:

So now does Finland play the winner of the Czech Republic-Sweden game, or do they do a crossover thing and play the winner of Canada-Slovakia, or USA-Russia? :dunno:

USA-Russia

Germany was never even close to a win. You guys should get the grip already. All the top 7 teams can score on germany almost at will...they can keep the games close when they are underestimated and when they go defense first...but the differense is still huge.

Precisely. Germany had their chances, but they didn't have the skill to put the puck in the net, except for once. If Finland could do it twice with less shots and less effort (and without any post-to-post-to-post-to-goal lucky shots) it's the better skill and efficiency that took the game home, not luck. Most of Germany's shots weren't even that dangerous.

If this had been some bigger team outshooting Finland 15-30, and the result for the Finns still 2-1, then we could be talking about serious luck.

Anyway, congrats Finland!
Now only Russia has to beat the US so we can see a good semifinal game! :)

Germany was never even close to a win. You guys should get the grip already. All the top 7 teams can score on germany almost at will...they can keep the games close when they are underestimated and when they go defense first...but the differense is still huge.
So a 1-1 game with momentum and five minutes to play is not close. We have a difference of opinion on that one.

Hoping for the German upset. :shakehead All the best games of the tournament haven't been televised by ESPN. :shakehead

Precisely. Germany had their chances, but they didn't have the skill to put the puck in the net, except for once. If Finland could do it twice with less shots and less effort (and without any post-to-post-to-post-to-goal lucky shots) it's the better skill and efficiency that took the game home, not luck. Most of Germany's shots weren't even that dangerous.

If this had been some bigger team outshooting Finland 15-30, and the result for the Finns still 2-1, then we could be talking about serious luck.

Exactly!

If Germany would have scored 2-1 goal, Finland would have tied it, no question about it. The difference still is that big. Finland did what they needed, not what they are capable of. Finland beat the Czech 4-0, Czech beat germany 7-2. If Finns were REALLY threatened by Germany, it would have looked a lot different.

Yeah Psycho Dad.... :shakehead
Happy half finals for the godlike finns... :bow: :rolleyes:

Magro

Psycho Dad is right on the money.

Finnish team seemed to settle for the one goal lead until Germany scored... and Germany was trying to plug up and slow-down and frustrate the Finns the whole game.

Team Finland did what was necessary for the win. Expect to see a completely different Team Finland against Russia/U.S.A.

PS. As long as this team wins; I say up yours to all of you Summanen haters.

Niinimaa quit on his TEAM-MATES, not on Summanen. I will never think of Janne the same way again.

Every German knows that we are not on the same level as the Top 7 Nations. :amazed:

It is just anoying to loose so many close games in the knock out stages starting at the Olympics in 1992.

I do not know what the expectations of some people here are, we are not gonna be able to outplay a top 7 side, today is just about as good as we can play. Yeah finns were in complete control. :shakehead

IF you score the winning goal with less than 5 Minutes to go that will include luck.

IF you score the winning goal with less than 5 Minutes to go that will include luck.

Germany played a good game; but only loosers talk about luck in a team sport.

Did you not see Finland sit back on their 1-0 lead and not even try hard? They did what they needed to win, and while Germany could have staged an upset with the late goal this was ALWAYS Finlands game to loose, not Germany's to win.

Let me just say that I'm ashamed by the couple of megahomering finns in this thread (you know who you are).

This was a very tough game for finns and without Kipper it could have gone either way in the end.

Kudos to germans for playing tactically mature (if boring) gamestyle, with better finishing they would have won.

Had Germans made it 2-1 near the end of 3rd it would have been full panic inside Team Finland, claiming anything else is simply wishful thinking.

PS. As long as this team wins; I say up yours to all of you Summanen haters.

Niinimaa quit on his TEAM-MATES, not on Summanen. I will never think of Janne the same way again.


Cant agree. Janne has played for every national team that asked him which is the vast majority-even when beat-up, tired and hurt which he usually was when playing for the Oilers. Last year he played with a bad knee at the Worlds because he thought the his country's team needed him.

This year he gets left off the team and the likes of BERG are asked. Very hurtful for a proud Finn. Then they ask him to fill in for Jere, in fact phoning him more than once to convince him when he had doubts. They probably agreed not to do anything to embarrass Niinimaa AGAIN and undoubtably than is just what Summanen did.

If I were Janne I would have left too and I'm sure his teamates, being proud as well, understood where he was coming from.

He played well in the tournament to date and did not warrent benching if that was what happened.

Hoping for the German upset. :shakehead All the best games of the tournament haven't been televised by ESPN. :shakehead

Yeah I really missed that 5-2 game last night. :shakehead Geez ESPN takes more crap when they are showing 16 of 20 games. And even the games they arent showing they made it free on espn broadband which is usually about 30+ bucks a month. ESPN has contracts, but obviously its hard for some people to process the thought that ESPN has the obligation to show other sports than hockey.

Let me just say that I'm ashamed by the couple of megahomering finns in this thread (you know who you are).

I know you are talking to me since I have the balls to say that Finland had no real probs with Germany. It has nothing to do with homerism....none of the top 7 teams have real problems with Germany just yet, maybe they will in several years. Germany may upset one of the big ones in a single game like Belarus did sweden, but today was not even close. Finland had it under control, they did lose it for a second when germany tied but after that goal Finland played hockey again..

Finland was playing like they would have been telling Germany "Ok lets just play a close game that we win and you get glory for being close instead of a blowout where we have to waste loads of energy."

The germans were outplaying the finns until the 1-0 goal.

No contrived argument gets around that fact.

The germans were outplaying the finns until the 1-0 goal.

No contrived argument gets around that fact.

I'm really sorry if you do not understand the fact that in matchups like this one, Team Finlands attitude was Finlands ONLY real opponent. I love the fact that Germany and Switzerland are growing top notch talent these days but it takes a long while untill they can really win by being the better team. Let's say Germany played on 5th gear today and Finland barely on 2nd.

It is not meant to ridicule germans, their team is young and will become dangerous once they get more players in the NHL. Finland went through this as well in one point and now they are in top 4....it only takes time and effort! German hockey has developed loads in past few years and they will continue with their 8th spot for a long time.

psycho_dad, don't be ridiculous. I am sure everyone here except you saw that Finland was in real trouble, and in an important QF game I am sure none of the Finnish players would ever think of playing a close game just because they feel like it or think that it's enough. Germany is closer to the 7 top teams than many would think, so I am sure it wasn't team Finland's plan to play as badly as possible. Not in such an important game.

You have to give team Germany more credit. They played brilliantly, and almost won the game. Of course team Finland is capable of playing much better, and today they were probably too exhausted, or they just lacked the motivation, but because of Germany's good game the game was so tight. Germany's games are boring as hell, but since they lack so much talent, their tactic is perfect against the better nations. I am sure that even Canada would have had scoring problems against Germany. :teach:

You have to give team Germany more credit. They played brilliantly, and almost won the game. Of course team Finland is capable of playing much better, and today they were probably too exhausted, or they just lacked the motivation, but because of Germany's good game the game was so tight. Germany's games are boring as hell, but since they lack so much talent, their tactic is perfect against the better nations. I am sure that even Canada would have had scoring problems against Germany. :teach:


Yeah I dont want to take anything away from their credit, they DID play brilliant, they DID fight to their ability...they were 100% tonight. It's just not their time yet. Finland was 30% tonight...at best. But thats what I am trying to say, and you understand it also. Germany was only close because they played their strengths perfectly. Finland failed to do so because of bad motivation. But it was never a close game really. If Germany would have scored a 2-1 leading goal 1 minute before the end I would say it was close. But a 1-1 tie in the middle of 3rd period is just not it.....Finland is clearly the better team and can step up a gear or two or even 3. Germany was at their peak. There was no question. I am just glad that Germany has grown into a team that can actually challenge a top 7 team who have an attitude problem.....before they have been a team that will lose 6-0 to a top 7 team with an attitude problem. Soon they will win one of these games...

Yeah I dont want to take anything away from their credit, they DID play brilliant, they DID fight to their ability...they were 100% tonight. It's just not their time yet. Finland was 30% tonight...at best. But thats what I am trying to say, and you understand it also. Germany was only close because they played their strengths perfectly. Finland failed to do so because of bad motivation. But it was never a close game really. If Germany would have scored a 2-1 leading goal 1 minute before the end I would say it was close. But a 1-1 tie in the middle of 3rd period is just not it.....Finland is clearly the better team and can step up a gear or two or even 3. Germany was at their peak. There was no question. I am just glad that Germany has grown into a team that can actually challenge a top 7 team who have an attitude problem.....before they have been a team that will lose 6-0 to a top 7 team with an attitude problem. Soon they will win one of these games...
So if Germany had cashed in on three of their shots and ended up winning 3-2 the game would not be close really though. I mean the score would be close but the Finns could have taken a moral victory because they were only at 30% and the German's were at their peak. It was 1-1 with just over five minutes to play so keep chipping away at what is now an absurd argument. I am not trying to tell you the Germans are on their level as a program but i'm only interested in the game at hand, and the bloody game at hand was close today no matter what kind of George Bush ******** spin you are trying to put on it.

3-1 Finland.
I predited it didn't I?

I know you are talking to me since I have the balls to say that Finland had no real probs with Germany. It has nothing to do with homerism....none of the top 7 teams have real problems with Germany just yet, maybe they will in several years. Germany may upset one of the big ones in a single game like Belarus did sweden, but today was not even close. Finland had it under control, they did lose it for a second when germany tied but after that goal Finland played hockey again..

Finland was playing like they would have been telling Germany "Ok lets just play a close game that we win and you get glory for being close instead of a blowout where we have to waste loads of energy."
Somebody named you the Finnish Information Minister?

We played like crap, and Germans played damn well. Respect to Sturm, Hecht, Kreutzer, Seiderberg, Ludeman, Kolzig... The biggest mistake Finns made was allowing Germans to believe they actually have a shot at winning, and after they started believing they played fine hockey. Good efforts by Kipper, Timonen and few others saved the day.

I honestly think Germans, and maybe Swiss or even Austrians will be able to contend with the big boys fairly soon. I like the young German players, if they can keep that production up they should be pretty good pretty soon.

[QUOTE=teme]Somebody named you the Finnish Information Minister?
LoL!!

It was 1-1 with just over five minutes to play so keep chipping away at what is now an absurd argument. I am not trying to tell you the Germans are on their level as a program but i'm only interested in the game at hand, and the bloody game at hand was close today no matter what kind of George Bush ******** spin you are trying to put on it.

Of course it was close, but the reason it was close was that Finland let it be close. They played poorly, but even so they were able to do what Germany couldn't with their best of efforts: score the necessary goals, and that's what this game is about.

I'm not trying to downplay Germany's game in any way, because they played better than I'm sure anyone could have expected, but they just didn't have enough skill to take the game home in the end. If this had been any other team of the tournament playing against this mentally amputated form of team Finland, they would have scored the necessary goals when given the chance and walked away with the semi-final tickets. So I guess in a way one could argue that Finland was lucky: lucky to be playing this quarter final against Germany of all teams, but then, it wasn't really luck that got us there in the first place.

Two days ago Summanen wanted his team to play exactly like he wanted. Strictly follow his game plan. Today the hole team was just battling for their lifes and they sure didn`t play like Summanen wanted em to play. But somehow it didn`t matter to Summanen today??? He was so lucky to get away of the panic sitution which Germany caused.


I am not sure which interview it was that you were watching, but right after the game at Channel Four he noted this is crunch time. What matters from now on is the result, not style. That's not to say he was happy with the team style of play, just that the result makes up for it.

Predictably, he said the commotion caused by Niinimaa case may have affected some players. Also, the players were still feeling the effects of the hard Sweden game in their legs. Which was obvious to anyone watching the game, and explains some of the sub-par performance.

Backstabbers can slag Summanen's persona to their hearts' content but the fact remains we are in final four. In the end that is all that matters. Next up USA or Russia.

Oh and as for the game itself, don't know about you but IMO the first line never really showed up. Might be down to the Niinimaa case and the added responsibility the captains have had to bear over the past 24 hrs, but still. I don't think it's a coincidence that Summanen sent in Peltonen instead of Selanne for the dying seconds, thus recreating the Huey-Dewey-Louie line of '95. I tend to agree with the studio commentators that Selanne might actually be a better fit with Jokinen and Ruutu. The problem is though that I wouldn't know if they've played together that much. It's a bit late for experimenting.

I know you are talking to me since I have the balls to say that Finland had no real probs with Germany. It has nothing to do with homerism....

It has everything with homerism, those of us who watched the game without blue&white glasses saw a much less talented team almost beating us. It doesn't matter whether Finland played at 30%, there was absolutely no evidence of Finland being able to come back if fallen behind 2-1. Finland didn't have in under control, when Germans made it 1-1 it was Germans who came closer scoring a 2nd goal than the finns. Fortunately Eloranta's extremely lucky tip made it 2-1 and we won.


Finland was playing like they would have been telling Germany "Ok lets just play a close game that we win and you get glory for being close instead of a blowout where we have to waste loads of energy."

You're kidding right?

Ok, the game was horrible for us, but we got the "W" out of it, which is all that matters. Germany made the game very hard for us, having 4 or even 5 guys at own blueline all the time and that stick work... oh well, they almost made it. But please, I hope no one claims these NHL refs are good, blatantly horrible game to watch, even in SM-league games you don't see that much hooking.

Anyway biggest reason for the game flow was of course the poor skating from Finland, clearly their legs weren't fresh and that is something, that needs to change before next game. Obviously the few extra days will help to handle "the Niinimaa case" too, so we should be mentally more ready for the game, not to mention we'll get to be the underdogs, no matter who is the opponent.

Oh yeah, and we have Kipper :bow:.

This was a routine victory for the finns, one of the reasons for their style of playing probably was to save them to semi-finals.

And German team was more efficient with Hans.

This was a routine victory for the finns, one of the reasons for their style of playing probably was to save them to semi-finals.

And German team was more efficient with Hans.
Sarcasm at its best.

Every German knows that we are not on the same level as the Top 7 Nations. :amazed:

It is just anoying to loose so many close games in the knock out stages starting at the Olympics in 1992.


Well if it helps you a bit you can watch Finlands successes in canada and world cups in the early days.
1976, 1 win, 4 losses, goal difference 16-42
1981, 1 draw, 4 losses
1987, 5 losses
1991, 2 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses, and semifinal defeat to USA 7-3
1996, 2 wins, 2 losses, quarterfinal defeat to Russia 5-0

So it takes time.

Sarcasm at its best.
Not much.