Spain - Germany 3:1 (1:1)



Match Number:	727
Date:		12.02.2003
Location:	Estadio Son Moix, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Competition:	Friendly

SPAIN:
Casillas (84. Canizares)
Michel Salgado, Puyol, Cesar (46. Helguera), Aranzabal
Joaquin (69. Etxeberria), Albelda, Baraja (74. Guti), Vicente
Raul (84. Jose Mari), Diego Tristan (74. Xavi)

GERMANY:
Kahn
A. Friedrich, Wörns, Metzelder, Rau (51. F. Baumann/62. Balitsch)
B. Schneider (74. Freier), Jeremies, Ramelow, Böhme
Bobic (59. Lauth), Klose (82. Neuville) 
Coach: Voeller

Scoring:
1:0 Raul (31.)
1:1 Bobic (38.)
2:1 Raul (76., penalty)
3:1 Guti (82.)
 
Referee: Riley (England)
Yellow cards: Boehme

Attendance: 20,000

Germany was well beaten in this test match with Spain. Without Michael Ballack, the DFB squad was ineffectual in attack, and despite some decent moments, deservedly lost to a better Spanish squad.

After a brief flurry at the start, Germany let the Spanish seize the initiative, relying on stout defense to hold the match. It wasn't long before Spain created some decent chances, with Raul opening the scoring. The Spanish missed several chances to increase their lead, outplaying Voeller's team, but then were shocked into giving up the equalizer. Woerns put in a powerful header off Schneider's corner, and Bobic got the tap-in.

The 2nd half was more of the same, as the Spaniards ran rings around the German defenders, and the DFB midfield and attack was completely lame. Thus when Woerns chopped down Raul in the box, the penalty was decisive. A few minutes later, lax defending let Guti slip through to knock home the 3rd.

Germany was outplayed by Spain, and the game plan of defending the draw was untenable. Unlike the previous match against Holland, there is no doubt that the DFB team deserved to lose.


Abseits Guide to German Soccer: www.abseits-soccer.com