Euro2012: Germany beat Israel in final friendly

Germany won their final friendly ahead of the 2012 European Championships 2-0 against Israel in Leipzig. After the disastrous performance on Saturday against Switzerland coach Joachim Löw brought in seven Bayern Munich players, who started alongside two players from Real Madrid and FC Arsenal each.

Germany were in control from the start to finish, but they never were able to show their attacking potential as they had their problems with an ultra-defensive Israel, who also didn't bother the German defence too much.

Germany needed 15 minutes to have their first chance with a Toni Kroos long-ranger after a Tibi mistake. Then his Bayern team mate Jerome Boateng hit the left post as Germany seemed to get closer to taking the lead, but it needed a bit before striker Mario Gomez had his first chance in the 34th minute of a nice flick and then Sami Khedira headed wide before Gomez gave Germany the lead in the 40th minute when he fired the ball in.

The second half started like the first session as Israel's defence stood its ground against the Germans and they suddenly also showed some attacking intend while at the other end Mesut Özil just missed the target before Lukas Podolski had a couple of chances. But thereafter numerous substitions slowed down the pace once more as Germany continued to control things. First Thomas Müller missed a good chance in the 74th minute, but then substitute André Schürrle made it 2-0 with a beautiful long-ranger in the 82nd minute which beat the outstretched hands of keeper Ariel Harush. The last chance of the match was a good Miroslav Klose header, which Harush could just about clear.

It ended 2-0 for Germany, but the team still has a lot of work left ahead of their start into Euro2012 on June 9 against Portugal.


GERMANY
Manuel Neuer - Jerome Boateng, Per Mertesacker, Holger Badstuber, Philipp Lahm [C] - Semi Khedira (88' Lars Bender), Toni Kroos (86' Mario Götze) - Thomas Müller (83' Marco Reus), Mesut Özil, Lukas Podolski (67' André Schürrle) - Mario Gomez (67' Miroslav Klose)