BASEL, June 20: Germany finally gave notice they are serious contenders to win a fourth European Championship by beating Portugal 3-2 in a captivating quarter-final on Thursday to match their billing as pre-tournament favourites.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, returning after suspension, scored the first goal and set up two more as the Germans stepped up a gear after some unconvincing performances in the group stage.

It was another outstanding match in an already excellent tournament and Germany, having failed to get past the group stage since they were crowned European champions 12 years ago, have now clawed their way into the semi-finals.

“I’m so happy we won,” said man-of-the-match Schweinsteiger. “We’re in the top four. We’ve got the best team in my eyes. We saw that we can... fight and the German virtues are still there.”

They will meet the winners of the game between Croatia, who beat Germany 2-1 in the group stage, and Turkey, that was to be held on Friday.

Thursday’s match at St Jakob Park stadium burst into life midway through the first half after Portugal had dominated the early exchanges and wasted three good scoring chances.

Schweinsteiger, notable for his outstanding contribution as well as his white-blond hair, showed how it should be done on his return from a one-match ban when he rammed home the opener.

The goal came after 22 minutes but he was soon the creator of their second four minutes later when his perfectly flighted free kick was powerfully headed home by Miroslav Klose.

Nuno Gomes pulled one back for Portugal before halftime when he got a second bite of the cherry after Jens Lehmann saved from Cristiano Ronaldo and his shot went in off Christoph Metzelder.

Germany skipper Michael Ballack, who was excellent in a far more adventurous role, restored their two-goal advantage after 61 minutes with another header from a Schweinsteiger free kick.

The referee did not seem to notice that Ballack had boosted his chances of scoring by shoving his Chelsea club mate Paulo Ferreira in the back as he rose to head home.

Germany, without suspended coach Joachim Loew in the dugout following a UEFA ban, were still organised superbly by his assistant Hansi Flick and their defence smothered everything the Portuguese could throw at them until the dying minutes.

Luiz Felipe Scolari, whose last match in charge of Portugal it turned out to be ahead of a move to Chelsea, could only watch helplessly as his men were reduced to 20-metre efforts and hopeful crosses that rarely threatened Lehmann or his defence.

Germany not only stifled Portugal’s attack for most of the game, but they cut the supply to playmaker Ronaldo, who struggled to make a meaningful contribution as he was closely controlled by fullbacks Arne Friedrich and Philipp Lahm.

However, the match reached an utterly captivating climax when substitute Helder Postiga rose to powerfully head home a cross from Nani after 87 minutes but the Germans held out.

Loew watched from a box in the stands and could be seen pacing up and down, enduring rather than enjoying the occasion.

“It was terrible to be up there,” he stated. “It was a lot more nerve-wracking. “You’re so far from the pitch. You see some things a bit better, but the distance... gets on your nerves.”

In the end, Loew need not have worried as his team ran out deserved winners and, having stuttered in the group stage, are looking as if they have the credentials to add to their title haul in the final which takes place in Vienna on June 29.—Reuters