Ahead of their last-16 clash in Lille on Sunday, Germany and Slovakia UAE-based fans give their verdict on the game.
To gain an insight into the mindset of the fans we asked UAE fans to share with us their predictions, likely line-ups and players to watch.
Do you agree or have they missed the mark? Use #360Fans to share with us your thoughts.
GERMANY – Frank Scheunert (Hedge Fund Manager, Dubai)
Germany played so much better against Northern Ireland than against Poland, creating 20 chances and totally dominating the game. We had an enormous 76 percent of the possession and had it not been for an incredible display by goalkeeper Michael McGovern it could have been a 6-0 or 7-0 win.
In the end it was just 1-0 which seems to suggest our finishing was not good enough, but McGovern really was excellent. And from this stage onwards, it really doesn’t matter if it is 10-0 or 1-0, a victory is all that is required to continue through the knockout rounds and into the final.
Still, I think there is a goal glut waiting to happen for Germany and though Slovakia have played some good football at Euro 2016, I think they are ripe to be picked off if their performance last time out against England is anything to go by. We have beaten Slovakia seven times in 10 meetings and though they won 3-1 on German soil in a recent friendly, the weather was awful and our team was far from full strength. This time, I am confident we can return the favour and reach the quarter-finals.
PREDICTION: Germany 3-1 Slovakia.
LIKELY GERMANY XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Hector; Khedira, Kroos; Ozil, Draxler, Muller; Gotze
GERMANY PLAYER TO WATCH: Thomas Muller – Still without the sort of crucial goal that he has become famous for. Our fox in the box will surely open his European Championship account sooner or later – I think it will be sooner!
SLOVAKIA PLAYER TO FEAR: Ondrej Duda – Tends to be overlooked as people focus on Marek Hamsik but the Legia Warsaw midfielder has enjoyed a really good Euros so far and at just 21 has shown himself to be a fearless player for Slovakia, who could definitely add to his current tally of two international goals.
WHERE TO WATCH: ON42 at the Media One Hotel.
SLOVAKIA – Jozef Uhrovsky (Leadership Training Specialist, Dubai)
From the beginning of the tournament our goal was the round of 16 and I am very happy and proud of our boys for making that dream a reality.
From an average performance in the opening game against Wales, our defence has tightened up with Martin Skrtel at the heart of that. The performance against Russia was outstanding and we followed that up with a real solid display against England to take us through as one of the best third-places sides.
The Germans have delivered so far, all be it in a less fashionable manner than we have come to expect. I am fearful that they are ready now to shift through the gears. We beat them 3-1 in a friendly a few months back but this will only provide additional motivation for Germany to reverse the result. Unfortunately, I think this may be the end of the road for Slovakia at Euro 2016.
PREDICTION: Germany 2-1 Slovakia
LIKELY SLOVAKIA XI: Kozacik; Pekarik, Skrtel, Durica, Hubočan; Kucka, Pecovsky, Mak, Hamsik, Weiss; Duda
SLOVAKIA PLAYER TO WATCH: Marek Hamsik – It just has to be our all-action captain. He may have been quiet against England but he really controls the tempo of this team, leading by example.
GERMANY PLAYER TO WATCH: Manuel Neuer – There’s any number of players to choose but I’ve gone with Neuer as he is unquestionably the world’s best in his position. We will play attacking football but it’s going to be difficult to break through that Germany wall.
WHERE TO WATCH THE GAME: Barasti Beach Bar.
