Ballack fires Germans through
Michael Ballack booked Germany's place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 after his thunderbolt free-kick earned a 1-0 victory in a hot-tempered clash against co-hosts Austria.
The Chelsea midfielder, who has been unhappy with his performances in the tournament so far, returned to the form of the last six months of the domestic season, lashing into the top corner just after the break at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium which ended Austria's participation in the competition.
Ballack will now face his new club boss Luiz Felipe Scolari in the quarter finals, who will fulfil his Portugal duties before being unveiled at Stamford Bridge later this summer.
Ballack's national coach, however, may not be in the dressing room at Basel's St Jakob-Park on Thursday.
Joachim Low and his Austria counterpart Josef Hickersberger were sent to the stands four minutes before the break after bickering among themselves and with the fourth official. UEFA are likely to review the incident, with dismissals normally carrying a touchline ban.
The Germans' path to the last eight would have been clearer had Mario Gomez not wasted an open goal earlier on.
The Stuttgart forward would not have been given an easier opportunity in his career but he spooned his finish, allowing just enough time for Gyorgy Garics to get back and head off his own line.
Ballack opened the scoring four minutes after the break, after Andreas Ivanschitz had fouled Philipp Lahm 25 yards from goal.
Goalkeepers have complained about balls moving in the air too much but Ballack's free-kick was pure power and was still rising as it hit the top corner.
Despite belying their position of 92nd in the FIFA world rankings, Austria's campaign then ran out of steam, with Germany surviving a couple of late scares to progress.
