Germany hungry for goals

Tension high
It is a group that has produced surprises, with Latvia taking a point off Germany and giving the Czechs a run for their money; and it has also provided the game of the tournament so far, between the Czechs and the Dutch. The chances of a similar festival of football at the Estádio José Alvalade on Wednesday night seem slim, but for Germany at least the tension will be equally high.

Group winners
The Czechs of course are already through to the quarter-finals as group winners, having come from behind to win both previous games; the Germans need to win to be sure of joining them, although if Latvia spring another surprise in the night's other game, against the Netherlands, a draw could still be enough for Rudi Völler’s men.

Key players rested
Germany's task will undoubtedly be made easier with their opponents likely to rest several key players ahead of the quarter-finals. The Czech replacements will have points to prove to their coach, Karol Brückner, but Völler is still entitled to expect his charges to play with a greater determination.

Spotlight on Ballack
Nevertheless, they will almost certainly need to add to the single goal they have managed thus far if their efforts are to be rewarded, and in that respect the spotlight falls once again on Michael Ballack, one of the finest attacking midfield players in Europe.

Highly capable
Even Völler has made no secret of how much Germany depend on the FC Bayern München star. "As soon as Michael gets near the opponents' penalty area they start to look worried, because everybody knows what he is capable of," said the German coach. "We would also be pleased if he created the openings and other players scored."

Schweinsteiger standing by
Völler is likely to revert to the 4-5-1 fomation that did so well for 80 minutes against the Netherlands in their first game, but is considering a change in personnel with the 19-year-old Sebastian Schweinsteiger standing by to replace Bernd Schneider in midfield after two impressive appearances as a substitute.

Making the right noises
The Czechs, meanwhile, are making all the right noises about wanting to win, but coach Brückner is still making wholesale changes from the team that took them to the last eight in such thrilling fashion in Aveiro.

'No advantage'
The midfield triumvirate of Pavel Nedved, Tomás Rosický and Karel Poborský will all be rested, along with striker Jan Koller. "It will be no advantage for the Germans in any case," Brückner insisted. "We could be even stronger in some points, I hope that we will show our better face in defence for instance."

Tournament favourites
From a neutral point of view it will certainly be interesting to see what the Czech Republic have in reserve, and whether the likes of AS Monaco FC’s Jaroslav Plašil or Marek Heinz, the top scorer in Czech football last season, can add depth to the Czech Republic’s reputation as one of the favourites to win the tournament.

Czech Republic (probable): Blazek; Jiránek, Bolf, Ujfaluši, Jankulovski; Plašil, Týce, Vachoušek, Šmicer; Lokvenc, Heinz.

Germany (probable): Kahn; Friedrich, Wörns, Nowotny, Lahm; Schweinsteiger, Baumann, Hamann, Frings; Ballack; Kuranyi.

Referee: Terje Hauge (NOR)