vs

This is the first great clash in this championship – the quarterfinal duel between the squads that were considered to be the main favourites for the crown. Portugal lived up to the expectations regardless of the defeat in the group A last game when they lost to Switzerland, but the match bore no significance result wise.

Scolari rested even eight starters so the failure wasn't painful for them. Germany are meeting Portugal in the early stage since they have failed to come in first in group B. The responsible ones are, of course, Croatia. Besides the easy win over Poland, Germany didn’t demonstrate their power; they were easily beaten by the Croats and they have only their captain Ballack to thank for winning Austria in the knock-out match.

The public criticized the squad a lot since they haven't been much better than the average co-hosts, but coach Low says that it was hard to play in the tense atmosphere against inspired hosts and anyway the victory is all that counts. Pantzers are relying on their experience but also on the fact that offensive rivals suit them better.

Germany don't handle defensive sides well which was obvious in the duel against Croatia. Portugal have more individual quality and they impressed with their composed and confident play against Czech Republic and Turkey; they are aware that this is the chance of a the generation.

Scolari knows how to win a trophy, and although the draw paired them with the most successful European national squad they have no reasons for fear. They studied their rivals well and they won’t allow for any surprises.

Everyone in Portugal squad agrees that Germany are always dangerous and that in spite of certain limits in Elf's play, they will have a hard time.

Head-to-heads

Portugal and Germany have met each other on 15 occasions with the Germans winning seven and losing three.

The two countries have met twice at a European Championship. In 2000, Portugal beat Germany 3-0 through a hat-trick by Sergio Conceicao. Nuno Gomes and Michael Ballack were present in that match. At the 1984 European Championship the match ended in a goalless draw.

Their last meeting in all competitions was the third place play-off at the World Cup 2006 which was won by Germany (3-1) through two goals by Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Team facts - Portugal

Reached the semi-finals in the last two European Championship finals.

Played seven previous knock-out matches at European Championships, winning on three occasions.

The only country amongst nations with at least four participations in the European Championship to have progressed from the group stages on all occasions.

Luiz Felipe Scolari can become the third coach to win six European Championship matches after Berti Vogts and Rinus Michels. With 16 wins at European Championship finals and World Cups combined, Scolari needs three more to equal Helmut Schon.

Not been awarded a single penalty in regular time in all 22 matches at European Championships. Poland (three matches), Latvia (three), Norway (three), Slovenia (three), Republic of Ireland (three) are the other countries without a penalty awarded.

Team facts - Germany

Played 11 previous knock-out matches at the European Championship winning the tie on nine occasions and losing twice. In 1992, Germany lost the final against Denmark and four years earlier in 1988 they were knocked out by the Netherlands, the eventual winners, in the semi-finals.

One goal short of scoring 50 in European Championship competition. The Netherlands are the only country to have scored more European Championship goals.

Player facts - Portugal

If he sees action, Nuno Gomes will equal Luis Figo (14) as Portugal's record appearance maker at European Championships.

If Gomes scores, he will become the fourth player to score in three different European Championships, joining Jurgen Klinsmann (Germany), Vladimir Smicer (Czech Republic) and Thierry Henry (France). Henrik Larsson (Sweden) can also achieve this feat at Euro 2008.

Pepe and Ricardo are the only two Portuguese players who are yet to miss a minute at these finals.

Jose Bosingwa, Paulo Ferreira, Fernando Meira, Miguel and Jorge Ribeiro will be suspended if they receive another yellow card.

Player facts - Germany

Michael Ballack has now scored 37 international goals. Six German players (Muller, Klinsmann, Voller, Rummenigge, Seeler and Klose) have scored more goals.

Ballack will play for his new club manager, as Portuguese coach Scolari will start at Chelsea next month.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, Michael Ballack and Jens Lehmann will be suspended if booked.

Miscellaneous Info

Several players in the Portuguese and German squad are teammates. Ricardo vs Odonkor (Real Betis, ESP); Ferreira, Carvalho vs Ballack (Chelsea); Meira vs Hitzlsperger, Gomez (VfB Stuttgart, Germany); Pepe vs Metzelder (Real Madrid, Spain); Almeida vs Fritz, Mertesacker, Frings and Borowski (Werder Bremen, Germany).

• coach Joachim Löw will watch from the stands after his dismissal during the Austria game. Löw's assistant Hans-Dieter Flick and goalkeeping coach Andreas Köpke will relay his plans
  

Probable Line Up :

Portugal : Ricardo, P. Ferreira, R. Carvalho, Pepe, Bosingwa, Petit, Deco, Moutinho, Ronaldo, Simao, Gomes.

Subs : Nuno, F. Meira, R. Quaresma, H. Postiga, R. Meireles, H. Almeida, Nani, B. Alves, Miguel, P. Ribeiro, M. Veloso, Patricio

Manager: Luis Felipe Scolari

Captain: 21. Nuno Gomes

Germany : Lehmann, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm, Borowski, Ballack, Fritz, Schweinsteiger, Klose, Gomez.

Subs : O. Neuville, T. Hitzlsperger, S. Rolfes, R. Enke, Kuranyi, P. Trochowski, D. Odonkor, R. Adler, Westermann, M. Jansen

Doubt : L.Podolski, T.Frings

Manager: Joachim Löw

Captain: 13. Michael Ballack

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