Written by Angela Asante

Germany have qualified for the semi-finals of the Euro 2008 on a 3 - 2 score line at the expense of Portugal who are out.

Germany’s 4-2-3-1 plan stunned coach Scolari and the rest of the Portuguese team: with less than half an hour gone down the clock, they had inflicted pressure and anxiety on the 2004 runners up.

L. Podolski made a great run at the left hand side of the pitch and finished his work by making a good cross in the penalty area. The ball found B. Schweinsteiger who tapped it into the net to give his side a 22nd minute lead.

Sadly, things got worse for Portugal who went down 2 - 0 in a space of 5 minutes.

Germany’s number 7 shirt Schweinsteiger was involved in the build up of his side’s second goal as his ball - out of his free-kick - reached Klose who headed it into the net. The goal seemed to be apparently offside but no one can change what a referee has or hasn’t decided…

So it was time for Portugal to organise a “red revolution”:

Captain Nuno Gomes’s strike in the 40th minute reduced Portugal’s deficit at half time.

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More than just that?

Portugal lost 2 - 0 to Switzerland in a game that did not have much importance for them. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari had the luxury of resting big players since his team had already qualified for the quaterfinals. Ronaldo’s exclusion from the entire squad as well as the inclusion of Nani, Quaresma and H. Postigha as starters were part of the 8 changes he made to the squad. The weaken Portuguese team were unable to find the net in the whole of the game and could not keep a clean sheet either. Their defeat came twenty minutes from time when Swiss striker Yakin scored twice to give his side their first and only win of the tournament. Well done for the co-host who at least won their game of pride, but for Portugal doesn’t their defeat mean more than just that?

Portugal’s 2 - 0 loss could find its explanation through the fact that the coach played a weaken side but one might also think that Scolari’s appointment as Chelsea’s new manager has something to do with that.

So then, if this thought were to be true, is Luis Felipe saying goodbye too soon to Portugal in terms of commitment and devotion?

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Deco - Ánderson Luís de Souza - Man of the Match

Written by Rafael Moutinho
Euro2008TV.com

Cristiano Ronaldo is normally the focus and centre of much of the football media attention these days, but when it comes to the Portugal team a certain other creative midfielder is due for some serious credit. I am talking about Deco, the Brazilian born, Portuguese nationalized creative attacking midfielder.  Deco was arguably the best player in today’s Portugal 3- Czech Republic 1 victory which made Portugal the first  Euro 2008 team to advance to the Quarter Finals.

Officially,  UEFA decided to award it to Cristiano Ronaldo for his role in all the Portugal Goals, however it was also Deco who was equally involved in all the 3 goals.  His expression on the field, reading the game, the defensive movement and offensive movement is like no other. Joao Moutinho - Sporting’s creative midfielder was left in Deco’s shadow today as the number 20 took full responsibility in commanding the flow and pace of Portugal’s attack.

For a good read on Portugal’s Deco - please visit Martin Samuel’s piece in today’s Times Online.