I was quite surprised Germany beat Portugal early this morning... hehehe..
But it was good to see them in the semi-finals... I wasn't disappointed Portugal lost, just that I was surprised with Germany's form in the last few matches, they were able to display such good skills against Portugal. =P
I woke up to watch... it was a very interesting match... lazy to write on the match.. so.. I shall juz cut & paste the match report taken from The Star.. hehe...
Three-time European champions Germany are into the semi-finals after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Euro 2004 finalists Portugal on Thursday in Basel.
It was no more than Germany deserved after taking a 22nd minute lead through Bastian Schweinsteiger and despite some late worries when Helder Postiga pulled Portugal within a goal, they can now look forward to a semi-final date with Croatia or Turkey next Wednesday.
Captain Michael Ballack was again influential scoring the crucial third goal after Nuno Gomes had pulled the scoreline back to 2-1.
Captain Michael Ballack was again influential scoring the crucial third goal after Nuno Gomes had pulled the scoreline back to 2-1.
Miroslav Klose nodded home Germany's second from a Schweinsteiger free-kick just four minutes after he had slid home the opener following a brilliant move down then left between Ballack and Lukas Podolski who sent in the cross.
Germany coach Joachim Loew looked on gleefully from the press box as he served out a one-match suspension for arguing with the fourth official during their 1-0 win over Austria which booked their quarter-final date.
Loew can now look forward to a return to the sidelines for Wednesday's last four clash as Germany look to emulate their last previous victory in this tournament back in 1996.
The team hadn't won a match in the final phase of a Euro since that triumph at Wembley but they are now just one match from a crack at record fourth continental conquest.
The team hadn't won a match in the final phase of a Euro since that triumph at Wembley but they are now just one match from a crack at record fourth continental conquest.
After Schweinsteiger and Klose had given Germany a 2-0 cushion, it appeared the Portuguese would claw their way back into the match when Nuno Gomes slotted home a loose ball following good work from Cristiano Ronaldo.
However Ballack powered home a header on 61 minutes after obviously pushing Paulo Ferreira in the box but the goal was given and put Germany back in full control.
Portugal then gave their last throw of the dice when Helder Postiga sent a flashing header into the roof of the net and it was white knuckle time for the Germanys with three minutes left.
However they held on despite a late Portuguese barrage and can now put their feet up until next Wednesday which will give them almost a full weeks rest.
Portugal then gave their last throw of the dice when Helder Postiga sent a flashing header into the roof of the net and it was white knuckle time for the Germanys with three minutes left.
However they held on despite a late Portuguese barrage and can now put their feet up until next Wednesday which will give them almost a full weeks rest.
It was Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's final match in charge of the national side as he gets set to take over as manager of Premier League giants Chelsea but he finished his spell in charge on a losing note.
Scolari led the team to the final of Euro 2004 and the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup but failed in his bid to bring Portugal their first major international trophy as he now heads for west London.
Looking forward to other quarterfinal matches in Euro 2008. I'm gonna have less zzz for the next few nights! Crazy?!!! C'mon.. it's football season mah! hehehe...
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