Countdown to the game against the Netherlands

For starters, Stranzl won’t be playing due to a hip problem. Also, it looks like the team will be going back to a 4-4-2 formation. I can’t say that this is really a good idea. I think the 3-5-2 was actually really inspired. We only need to look at the success of the Greek team at the last Euro to see how effective that was.

As for leaving out Vastic, there are always hundreds of reasons for leaving out the oldies. At the same time, Harnik is 5th choice at best in Bremen. Of course it won’t be the first time (or the last time) that one of Hickersberger’s decisions is unpopular.

By the way, does any one else have the feeling that Hickersberger is just warming up the bench for Andreas Herzog to just take over the whole thing a la Klinsmann?

The good news is that the Dutch are having problems of their own. But that’s nothing unusual for them. The usual suspects- controversy about Seedorf, talented but fragile wingers are injured, etc.

If they can find a way to stack up the midfield like they did against the Germans I could even imagine the Oesi’s pulling off something magical. To do that they have to show no respect!