BERLIN, June 29: Excitement was mounting on Thursday a day ahead of Germany's clash with Argentina in a mouth-watering quarter-final in Berlin's Olympic Stadium. While hopes are growing in the home nation that the young German team is on its way to capturing a fourth World Cup for Germany, Argentina represent their toughest test so far.

Troubled Italy's preparations for Friday’s quarter-final, against Ukraine, were overshadowed by the start of legal hearings in Rome into match-fixing allegations surrounding leading Serie A clubs.

In the other quarter-finals on Saturday, England play Portugal while reigning champions Brazil face France.—AFP

Today’s matches (time in PST)

Quarter-finals