Canada vs. Germany Rio 2016: How to Watch Online, Lineups & Thread

For the first time ever, Canada is 2-0 to start the Olympic games and with that comes plenty of expectations. Through two games in Rio, the team looks like medal contenders, bringing back memories of their 2012 run.

All of this could be brought back down to earth today, however, as Canada meets the world number two, Germany in their final group stage match. A win or a draw for Canada, and they will win their group in impressive fashion.

Here are three stories ahead of today's match:

A wide open Group

On Saturday, Australia pulled off a shock 2-2 draw with Germany, who they led for most of the match. It was an unexpected result, as Germany now need to beat Canada if they want to win the group. Canada or Germany could win the group.

The question is whether or not that is a good idea. Winning the group means playing the runner up of Group G, which is likely to be France. Finishing second in the group means a much more favourable draw against either China or Sweden.

Realistically, though, Canada is going to have to beat at least one of the world's elite if they want a medal, so it doesn't really matter if that comes in the Quarterfinals or Semifinals.

Unbeatable Opposition

Canada has never beaten Germany in international play, losing all 12 meetings. They are one of only four teams that Canada hasn't beaten on the international stage, and certainly, the one to which they have lost the most.

Beating the Germans today would give Canada a massive confidence boost ahead of what promises to be a very difficult Olympic knockout round. In fact, it would be the highest ranked opponent they would have ever beat at an Olympic games.

Germany, on the other hand, will be looking to rebound from a game against Australia that saw them drop their first points of the tournament. A loss today could see Germany drop down into third place in the group, something they will look to avoid at all costs.

Rotating Centrebacks

For the second straight game, Canada will have a centreback suspended. This time, it is Kadeisha Buchanan, the backbone of the Canadian backline. In her place, Shelina Zadorsky who draw back into the Canadian lineup. Zadorsky missed Canada's match against Zimbabwe with a red card.

Canada will once again rely on 20-year-old Rebecca Quinn to be solid at the back. Quinn has played almost the entire tournament after replacing Zadorsky in Canada's opening match. This will be her biggest test yet.

Lineups:

Canada: Labbe, Tancredi, Chapman, Zadorsky, Quinn, Rose, Wilkinson, Belganger, Scott  Schmidt Flemming 


Germany: Schult, Kemme, Bartusiak, Peter, Henning, Berhringer, Goebling, Islacker, Marozsan, Kerschowski, Mittag

More Information:

Venue: Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha, Brasilia, Brazil

Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. Eastern 

TV: TSN

Streaming: CBCSports.Ca