The Money Shot: Germany batter Greece

Germany 4 Greece 2

Yikes! 

A game with political and financial overtones, but also a re-run of the Monty Python match of International Philosophy (Nietzsche passes to Hegel and all that) .   

As the players left the team coach the big news was that the Germans had stripped their attack and replaced it with a whole new model. Out were Podolski, Müller and the goalscorer Gomez. In was the youthful duo of André Schürrle and Marco Reus, and to replace Gomez, the veteran goalscorer Klose. Such a bold move at a critical juncture in the tournament had all the hallmarks of taking the piss.  

Entering the stadium at the same time was German chancellor Angela Merkel. I’m guessing the millions of Greeks watching at home booed and jeered as Merkel took her seat to observe proceedings like a Roald Dahl villainess. I did!  

At kick off, Germany launched at the Greeks in a flurry of umlauts, making chance after chance. Özil’s dynamic movement caused mayhem, and it looked like Greece were already playing for penalties.

One-nil up after halftime, Germany became a little careless at the back, over confident perhaps, and this allowed for a classic suckerpunch counter attack from Greece, executed at breakneck speed by their various Apostle-like bearded forwardmen.   

The Greek goal was exactly what I was waiting for. In the aftermath, I looked for footage of a fuming, fist waving Angela Merkel. The Money Shot — or lack of Money shot, whatever. But Germany had already retaken the lead before it became clear that we, and the Greek viewers at home, were going to be denied the sight.

Having gone ahead again, the Germans bounded away, scoring two more to make it Four-One. Klose was an inevitable scorer. With the second semi-final place secured, I was heading for the pub, and so I missed a Greek consolation penalty. 


The Greeks "won a lot of friends" as is often said to patronise a popular but poor quality team, but their lack of attacking endeavour in this game meant that they might as well have started with Monty Python's ancient philosopher line up. Also, I like the look of Socrates up front.