19th June: Portugal v Germany

[trickrick]

19:45 Portugal (6/4) Draw (20/9) Germany (45/19) (Best odds from Oddschecker)

Beware the Germans - thats what I say.. I do fancy Germany to progress in this match I must admit. They seem to do well in knock tournaments when people write them off..

[Quandram]

Whilst i take your point trick Germany haven't been impressive in a tournament for years in my opinion.

Last two Euros they didn't make it out of the group.

Last two world cups, granted technically they finished 2nd and 3rd but in 2002 they didn't face a team till Brazil in the final and in 2006 they had 1 result vs Argentina on pens (and we all know about the Germans and penalties) and that was it. I don't count the 3rd place playoff as nobody gives a shit.

This tournie so far they've looked very poor at the back, the strikers couldn't pick each other out of a lineup and some of the players they've used (Jansen & Odonkey inparticular) are absolute gash.

Add to that possible injury worries to Frings and Podolski.

If Portugal turn up and don't put too much reliance on trying to use a striker but just let Ronalod, Simao etc.. run at their defence then they should do this in my opinion.

[kompressaur]

The Euro 2008 quarter-finals get under way with a real cracker as Portugal and Germany lock horns in Basle.

It's the game that many expected to see in the semi-finals but Germany's failure to justify favouritism in Group B means it happens a week ahead of schedule.

And on what we've seen of the two sides so far in the tournament it's no surprise to see the bookies just favour Portugal.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's men wrapped up Group A in double-quick time with victories over Turkey and the Czech Republic and little should be read into their defeat by Switzerland last time given the side they put out.

The big guns are obviously back for this and the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Deco clearly make them a completely different proposition but it will be a fascinating clash of styles between the two teams.

For while Portugal can pass virtually anyone off the pitch, they are unlikely to be given anything like as much time on the ball as they enjoyed in their opening two wins.

For though Germany weren't overly impressive in what looked a relatively soft Group B, they did do enough with wins over Poland and Austria, and pose a strong physical threat.

Perhaps the most crucial aspect of their victory over Austria on Monday was the display of Michael Ballack.

By his own high standards he was relatively subdued against both Poland and Croatia.

But he was back to something like his best against the Austrians and it was his stunning freekick early in the second half which proved the winner.

He's now up against his new club manager and if Germany are to upset the odds then the chances are that Ballack will again have a key role to play.

And in a game in which we expect there to be desperately little between the sides, the 3/1 about Ballack again getting on the scoresheet does make some appeal.

For while Portugal have looked great going forward, they have been vulnerable at the back, especially at set-pieces.

So whether it's with another power-packed freekick or getting his head to a cross, Ballack should get chances to hurt them on Thursday.

As far as the result is concerned the prices do look about right and there's also little relevant head-to-head form for punters to get their teeth into.

The last time the teams met was in 2006 and that was the third-place play-off at the World Cup which saw hosts Germany run out 3-1 winners.

All the goals came in the second half that day and anyone looking at the total goals market in Basle should note that referee Peter Frojdfeldt is the man in charge.

He's done his best to keep play moving in both games he's officiated so far so it might be more than a coincidence that those matches have been two of the relatively small number to break the 2.5-goals mark.

He was in charge of Holland's 3-0 masterclass against Italy and also Turkey's incredible 3-2 come-from-behind success against the Czech Republic at the weekend.

And while the stakes couldn't be much higher in Thursday's game, neither defence - especially the keepers - have fully convinced us yet so goals could again be on the cards.

There's a little 7/5 on offer about more than two goals but we're going to go a step further and suggest the 9/2 that bet365 chalk up about more than three.

BALLACK TO BE QUARTERMASTER: Betting Zone - Euro 2008 Football Betting, Royal Ascot Racing Betting, Cricket Betting, Golf Betting, Rugby Betting, Sports Betting

[Quandram]

I've split between Portugal and Portugal AH-1 as they've shown they counter attack well and if they are 1 up in the last 10 I expect them to break on Germany and make it 2.

Portugal 3pts @ 2.5
Portugal AH-1 2pts @ 4.2

[Beanie]

Frings and Podolski are doubts for this one - if they miss out that's gotta be an almost critical blow. Their defence has been poor and attack looking weak - the midfield is the key here. One to keep an eye on...

[selectabet]

I'm going with Germany in this one.

They've won 4 of the last 4 penalty shoot outs, not missing a single pen since 82. If it goes the distance you gotta fancy them.

Hopefully Low 'rests' Gomez - he's been rank, I think they've had a better shape when Hitzelsbergers been playing.

[Beanie]

Don't mind me, Podolski and Frings start I think.

[MickeyPaul]

Germany were absolutely dire against a very poor Austria weren't they? Fortunate I think. They really seem to be lacking any spark so far. Quite static from what I've seen and wobbly at the back. They have players that can kick the ball really hard though.

I'm not a huge fan of Portugal but I'm willing to chance them. Germany are never easy to dispose of, I know this, but they've looked shit and that's enough for me.

[ONEDUNME]

Germans are favs on bookings supremacy but I've sold them as the Portugese are equally liable to be picking up bookings in my view. They will be expecting to beat the Germans and if things don't quite go their way early on I can see them collecting some yellows.

Pepe, Petit and Deco are all prime examples. If I could get a price on any two of those three getting booked tonight as the pressure increases, I'd jump on it.

All that said, I'm on Portugal to go through. May not be 90 minutes but if this was any other team than Germany , given the way they are playing, we would be writing them off

[johnnybgood]

Germany its dire for some time now. They surprised every football followers lats WC coming to semies. But they were home there. I aint huge Portugal lover, but in this game full stakes on Portugal win.

[Mrs. Smith]

I think it is time for a draw!!! nice little one, hasn't been one in a while, when was last game that finished as a draw, hmmm, Italy - Romania?? I'm too lasy to go and check I've been reading about this game everywhere on the internet, and 8 out of 10 people are saying Portugal, and I know they played great, know they have fantastic players, but Germany is, arhg, well, Germany. Great explanation, right?
I've checked, 3 draws in 24 games, Italy Romania was the last one, hasn't been 2-2 corect score yet
don't think Germany will put only because they played, well, not that good, it is knockout stage after all, anything can happen'. So my vote goes for nice little draw @ 3,20 and CS 2-2 @ 15
just have a feeling about a draw, but could be wrong.. nah, it will be a draw

[traeth]

got Portugual to win an Podolski top scorer in the sweep , so i'm split on tonight's match

Germany do well when they get to this stage of comps , they rarely lose penalty shoot outs , but what i've see of the matches in this tournament Portugal have played the better football , have looked the more dangerous of the two sides in front of goal . The draw is a danger but I'm on Portugal @2.5 with paddies

they also have this promo

Penalty Points!
Euro 2008 - All Quarter-Final Matches
Money-Back Special
If you back a team to win in 90 minutes and they qualify after a Penalty Shootout Paddy Power will refund all win-draw-win bets on that team only.

[keemanan]

I like Portugal too , not only the lovely beaches and fat assed women but because Germany are so bad.
Frings is their best player and he's gonna be playing with broken ribs. I know for a fact it hurts when you laugh and with Lehman in net he will be hard put to resist a laugh or two at that useless flapper.

tranaldo to dominate and Portugal to thrash Germany

[trickrick]

Correct me if I'm wrong but was it not only a week ago that Germany were the favourites to win the whole thing..? You would think that Greece would be nailed on to give them a spanking the way they seen to be viewed for this game.. I an certain that they will frustrate Portugal and I can see a 1-0 win to Germany either scored in the 2nd half or in extra time..

[ONEDUNME]

No you're not wrong Rick. They were favs at the start but that was before we'd actually seen them play. They've been shite and the only thing that's stopping Portugal being odds on is that old doubt that "you can never write off the Germans".

At this stage anyone can beat anyone so it's not out of the question but apart from one easy victory against a poor Polish side who finished bottom of the group, what have we seen to make us think that they are any good.

Nothing.