Germany vs. Greece: Will the Germans impose penalties?

Sunday night saw Germany beat Denmark to progress to a Quarter Final tie against, off all countries, Greece.

In Gdansk tonight there will be a rather significant economic backstory as Joachim Low and Fernando Santos’ teams do battle for a place in the Semi Finals of the European Championships.

Over the last few years Greece has been enduring an horrendous economic crisis and has found itself accepting austerity measures from the EU, mainly Germany, in return for bailout payments.

In Greece, many are not happy about the way that politicians from Berlin have been treating them and poverty is on the increase, 1 in 2 people now live below the poverty line.

So, unsurprisingly Piratiko are up the this match, their players speaking of additional motivation to perform well. Whilst news that, German Chancellor, Angela Merkel will be present has gone down well with Greek journalists.

In Germany many can’t comprehend the Greek point of view as they continue to help keep them afloat, some Germans have avoided booking their holidays to the tourist hotspot as a result.

Now, down to the football, the favourites are, of course, Germany; players such as Gomez, Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Podolski and Muller are renowned the world over, they are expected to have far too much for a Greek defence that isn’t what you would describe as ‘safe’.

However, if there is one thing that Greece have on their side against mighty Germany, it is their history of upsetting the odds; progressing to this stage of the competition at the expense of more heavily fancied Russia and winning Euro 2004, beating, hosts, Portugal in the final.

Otto Rehhagel, who coached them to victory eight years ago, himself a German has warned his compatriots not to underestimate their opponents in Poland tonight.

Greece will certainly be up for the match, although they are missing, captain, Giorgos Karagounis through suspension.

Below is a video of some of Germany striker, Mario Gomez’ goals from last season.

@georgepowell8