Germany Advances to Euro 2008 Quarterfinals

Printer Friendly

Share

Text Size

(Vienna, Austria) – Despite a courageous effort from its opposition, Germany will advance to the European Championship quarterfinals thanks to a 1-0 victory over the competition’s co-host Austria.

Dubbed by many as “Austria’s Final”, the loss marked the first time in European Championship history that both host countries failed to make the knockout stage of the tournament.

Michael Ballack scored on a free kick in the 49th minute from 25 yards out and from there the three-time champion Germans never looked back.

Germany failed to jump out to an early lead when Mario Gomez sent an easy chip in front of the net over the crossbar in the fifth minute.

“We should have taken the lead earlier,” said Ballack. “It would have been easier. We haven’t been so convincing so far, but this will give us a push for sure.”

Austria created many chances of its own but failed to capitalize.

Austrian manager Andreas Herzog said after the match, “We have a very young team and they’re all depressed in the dressing room right now. With two years of hard work we’ve been able to show that people can play good football in Austria.”

Germany will go on to face Portugal on Thursday in Basel, Switzerland.