Euro 2008 : Adios Ronaldo, Scolari and Adios Portugal, intertar otra vez

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My favourite team,Germany lived up to their billing as pre-tournament favourites as they booked a place in the Euro 2008 semi-finals with an impressive 3-2 win over Portugal. I knew the Germany will turn the table after reading their old timer ‘Kaiser’ who was criticized their display in two early group game.

Although the Germans qualified for the quarter-finals as runners-up in Group B following defeat by Croatia, the three-time winners were back to their best in Basel as they proved just too good for the Euro 2004 finalists.

Bastian Schweinsteiger opened the scoring in the 22nd minute on his return from suspension, and the Portuguese were left shell-shocked when the Bayern Munich midfielder laid on a second for Miroslav Klose just four minutes later.

Portugal gave themselves hope four minutes before the break through Nuno Gomes, who became just the third man behind Jurgen Klinsmann and Vladimir Smicer to score in three European Championships.

But Michael Ballack restored Germany’s two-goal lead in the 61st minute from another Schweinsteiger free-kick, and although substitute Helder Postiga pulled another one back for Portugal with three minutes left, Germany held on.