Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Euro 2008 Championship quarter-final match between Portugal and Germany in Basel, Switzerland, yesterday. Germany won 3-2. - AP
BASEL, Switzerland (AP)
Bastian Schweinsteiger scored one goal and set up two more yesterday to give Germany a 3-2 win over Portugal and a spot in the European Championship semi-finals.
In the battle between Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo and Chelsea's Michael Ballack, the German came out on top. He delivered the deciding blow by scoring the third goal in the 61st minute, shoving away Paulo Ferreira and heading past an out-of-position Ricardo.
Firsts
It was the first time Germany moved into the final four since they won in 1996, and it was also the first time Portugal failed to make the semi-finals in the last three international tournaments.
Miroslav Klose also scored for Germany, while Nuno Gomes and Helder Postiga had goals for Portugal.
The Germans started the upset with a move in the best Portuguese tradition. Lukas Podolski set up a couple of short passing combinations and sped off much like Ronaldo would do. In the centre, Schweinsteiger beat Ferreira for pace, and given the perfect low cross slotted it past Ricardo for the opener in the 22nd.
Light-footed creativity
The Portuguese were surprised at such light-footed creativity from the Germans and before they knew it, they were down 2-0. Schweinsteiger swung in a free kick from near midfield, and Ronaldo remained flat-footed while Klose sped by him and powerfully knocked the ball past Ricardo.
The sterling performance from Schweinsteiger was a perfect comeback for the peroxide-dyed midfielder after he had been sent off for a petulant shove on an opponent in Germany's 2-1 loss to Croatia.
"We cannot allow two goals from set pieces against a team like Germany. That made the difference," said Postiga, who had brought Portugal close with a header in the 87th minute.
Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari criticised referee Peter Frojdfeldt for allowing Ballack's goal.
"We made some mistakes in the first two goals, but I can contest the third and television can show it clearly," he said, complaining about Ballack's muscular intervention.
Now, the Germans will play the winners of today's quarter-final match between Turkey and Croatia.
Prevailed
Germany prevailed even though coach Joachim Loew was banned from the game by UEFA after getting sent to the stands during the final group game, a 1-0 win over Austria.
They could have used his help when they were up 2-0, but Loew was sitting high in the stands, unable to influence his players. Instead of keeping up the defensive pressure, they fell back, a perilous choice against Ronaldo and Co.
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