- Title: GERMANY: Excitement building ahead of Germany-Argentina World Cup Quarter-Final
- Date: 30th June 2006
- Summary: GERMANY FEMALE FANS ON PLATFORM, CHEERING
- Embargoed: 15th July 2006 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Germany
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA9NR0P4RHR55EJ4K03AG3Z020K
- Story Text: Germany fans will hope Argentina do not ruin their World Cup party when two of the most entertaining teams in the tournament meet in the last eight on Friday (June 30).
Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann has got his team playing attacking soccer and their displays have sparked huge enthusiasm among millions of Germans dreaming of a repeat of the host nation's triumph on home soil in 1974.
"It's not going to be easy. Quite the contrary, it's going to be very difficult but nevertheless I hope we're going to win. We're going to win. I'm certain of this," said Germany fan Stefan.
The match promises to be a more entertaining affair than the 1990 final when a West German team including Klinsmann beat Argentina 1-0 in Rome to win their third and last World Cup.
Germany will enjoy the passionate support of the vast majority of the 72,000 crowd in Berlin's Olympiastadion.
"I think it's going to be really hard but I also think that the Argentineans are strongly underestimating us. So, I believe we'll win. I'm certain about this. We have a very good team," added fellow Germany fan Daniel Brosen.
Hundreds of thousands are also expected to congregate in the shadow of the Brandenburg Gate in the German capital to follow the action on big screens.
Argentina, champions in 1978 and 1986, are unlikely to succumb as meekly to Germany as Sweden did in the second round. Two goals by striker Lukas Podolski in the first 12 minutes were enough to secure Germany a 2-0 win over the Scandinavians.
"It's going to be a difficult game. But we're going to win this game 1-0, goal thanks to a [Hernan] Crespo goal," said Argentina fan Ignacio Senezes.
"I hope Argentina will win. The most we Argentineans are afraid of is that the Germans have paid the referee but besides that we know that our team is superior and the other reason to be afraid is all those local fans here in the stadium," added fellow Argentina fan Gabriel, from Buenos Aires.
Strikers Hernan Crespo and Javier Saviola will test a German defence which has not conceded a goal in three games since the 4-2 opening win over Costa Rica. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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