Podolskis late strike spares German blushes
An injury time goal from Lukas Podolski spared Germanys blushes as they scraped a 2-2 draw with the Ivory Coast on Wednesday night. The strikers 93rd minute equaliser cancelled out Seydou Doumbias strike which looked to have secured the victory for the Africans.Although there was nothing but pride up for grabs in Gelsenkirchen as both nations had already qualified for next summers World Cup, there was still a strong sense of emotion about the meeting. This was the first Germany match since goalkeeper Robert Enke tragically comitted suicide. This was unexpectedly the main focus of the match build up as many tributes were made to
Tanner Kero Kids Jersey the late German stopper. Injured skipper Michael Ballack laid a shirt sporting Enkes name and the number one on the German substitutes bench, whilst there was the obligatory minutes silence. Prior to the match the Germans i sued an open letter, saying: we are playing for Germany, for the fans but above all for you.
Drake Caggiula Jersey For a good friend whose death brought us closer together.The game was an opportunity to pay tribute to the late Robert EnkeBoth teams were mi sing influencial players. Chelsea midfielder and Germany captain Michael Ballack was ruled out with a knee injury whilst his Chelsea team mate Didier Drogba was still recovering from Johnny Evans impre sion of the karate kid!It was Germany who started the brightest and Podolski gave them the lead after 12 minutes. Stefan Kie sling was upended by Guy Demel in the area and the Cologne striker stepped up to cooly convert the spot kick. It was just de serts for Joachim Lows men who looked the more lively of the two teams throughout the first half. This isnt to say that the Ivorians didnt have their chances though as
CM Punk Kids Jersey Emmanuel Eboue and Sekou Ci se both had good chances.Lukas Podolskis two goals grabbed a draw for GermanyThe equaliser came in comical fashion in the 57th minute. Keeper Manuel Neuer, a half time replacement for Tim Wiese, received a back pa s from Heiko Westermann. The Shalke stopper made the clearance but it only went as far as Eboue, as it cannoned off him and flew into the back of the net. Eboue clearly didnt know much about it but a goals a goal.This goal seemed to spark the Germans into action as Mario Gomez and Podolski both saw good chances go begging, so it was perhaps a surprise to see the Ivory Coast take a late lead in the 85th minute. Substitute Doumbia Seydou
Jordan Oesterle Women Jersey took on Westermann and Per Mertesacker and fired a fantastic effort into the far corner.Doumbia Seydou thought hed won the game for the Ivory CoastYou could be forgiven for thinking that the victory was safe for the Ivorians but it was to be Podolski who had the last laugh as he popped up three minutes into stoppage time, turning Kolo Toure and finished fantastically, bending the ball into the corner of Aristide Zogbo
Zack Smith Jersey s goal.Despite the Germans disappointment at not sealing a win, the whole atmosphere around the stadium showed that the result was a secondary concern. This game was about paying tribute to Robert Enke, and they did exactly that.