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First takes on the worst in Group A on June 7th when Azerbaijan hosts Germany in a Euro 2012 Qualifying game at Tofik Bakhramov in Baku. The Germans have a stranglehold on the group with 18 points from six straight wins. Azerbaijan sits in sixth and last place with three points from a win and four losses. Germany extended their streak in Austria on June 3rd with a last-minute goal to beat the Austrians 2-1. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan was beaten 2-1 in Kazakhstan.
Germany has a seven point lead over second-place Belgium and also has a game in hand. Theyd have to collapse totally not to make Euro 2012 and Azerbaijan is already out of it, so this could be a bit of a mismatch or a dull contest at best. The only team that could catch Germany would be Turkey if they won all of their remaining games.Azerbaijan is managed by former German manager and player Bertie Vogts, who was on the World Cup-winning squad of 1974. Somebody threw a roll of toilet paper at him during a press conference after their loss to Kazakhstan on June 3rd. The 64-year-old has been in charge of the team since 2008, but has just two wins in competitive matches with them. Vogts said he would have left the team a long time ago, but is friends with the countrys federation president. Azerbaijans three points in qualifying were earned in a 1-0 win at home against Turkey.Germany has called under-21 members Lewis Holtby and Sebastian Rudy up to the team as midfielders Simon Rolfes and Sami Khedira are injured. Striker Lukas Podolski should be ready to play as his ankle injury is healed. The Germans will also have to do without several other players as backup keeper Tim Wiese is out along with Sven Bender, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose, Marco Reus, and Christian Trasch.Azerbaijan has won one and lost four out of their past five games overall while Germany has three wins a draw and a loss. They were beaten 2-1 by Australia in a friendly ! in March at home and were held to a 101 draw at home by Italy a month earlier.Germany hammered Azerbaijan 6-1 in their first qualifying encounter and has scored 12 times in three games against them overall. Look for Germany to keep their unbeaten streak alive in Euro 2012 qualifiers as they should be able to beat the hosts by at least two goals.

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