Euro 2012: Germany v Portugal
- Venue: Arena Lviv, Lviv
- Date: Saturday, 9 June
- Kick-off: 19:45 BST
Coverage: BBC One, BBC Radio 5 live, highlights on BBC One and BBC Sport website
Germany coach Joachim Loew has a full squad to choose from for Saturday's match after captain Philipp Lahm and Sami Khedira returned to training.
Per Mertesacker took a knock in training on Thursday but is still expected to start, as is Bastian Schweinsteiger, who missed their warm-up friendlies after suffering a calf niggle in the Champions League final.
Portugal also have a fully-fit squad.
Manchester United winger Nani has recovered from a foot injury.
They say the bookies never get it wrong. But should Germany (10/3) - perfect in qualifying with 10 wins out of 10 and boasting a posse of world-class stars who have only matured since lighting up the 2010 World Cup, where they finished third - really only be second-favourites to win the tournament behind reigning champions Spain (11/4)? As the odds suggest, it's a very close call.
Joachim Loew's squad have been in relatively relaxed mood as Germany bid to build on their record three European Championship wins. They paid a visit to the recent Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, decked out in shades, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel had dinner with them in Gdansk on Tuesday. But it's not all been plain sailing: Loew was unhappy after Jerome Boateng was pictured with a model in the early hours last weekend, threatening to start with Lars Bender at right back. That looks like an empty promise, and the team which starts against Portugal has class all over the park - not to mention a substitute's bench teeming with talent: Mario Gotze, Marco Reus, Andre Schurrle.
Portugal, led by £80m Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, are consistently inconsistent and appear to lack the required depth of talent required outside of their wing positions - they will pounce on any glimmer of hope they can find. They might seek solace in two friendly defeats for Germany this year (against France and Switzerland) - yet Paulo Bento's men have suffered two goalless draws (against Poland and Macedonia) in 2012 before losing 3-1 to Turkey, a team Germany beat twice in qualifying, in their final Euro warm-up. Manchester United winger Nani will be determined to show he can do it on the biggest stage after missing the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but goals are still often a problem. Bruno Alves's claim that "we have a world-class defence" also looks spurious.
They slipped from fifth to 10th in Fifa's latest rankings, a fair reflection of their unpredictability. But it's guaranteed Ronaldo, with 62 goals this season, will fight fire with flair in Ukraine on Saturday.
Head-to-head
- The teams are meeting for the 17th time. Germany has won eight of 16, Portugal just three.
- Germany have the slight edge in eight competitive encounters, winning three to Portugal's two.
- Their last encounter came in the Euro 2008 quarter-finals, when Germany won 3-2.
Germany
- Germany have won 11 competitive matches in a row.
- But they have only won twice in their five friendly matches since Euro 2012 qualifying finished (losing against both France and Switzerland this year).
- Miroslav Klose turns 34 on the day of the Portugal game. He has scored 63 goals in 116 appearances for Germany, and is just five shy of Gerd Muller's national record.
- They are unbeaten in all 10 previous opening matches at Euro final tournaments (5 wins, 5 draws).
- Germany won all 10 of their Euro 2012 qualifying matches, outscoring their opponents 34-7.
Portugal
- Portugal have only won one of their past six matches.
- And they have suffered goalless draws in three of their past five matches.
- At 27, Cristiano Ronaldo will be playing in his fifth major championship (Euros and World Cup).
- Miguel Lopes and Custódio are yet to make a competitive appearance for Portugal - but won their first caps in the friendly against Turkey on 2 June, a 3-0 defeat.
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