Roughly 45,000 spectators inside the Mané Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia witnessed an impressive display from Germany's Olympic football team. Horst Hrubesch's men secured a 4-0 victory over Portugal to secure a spot amongst the top four in the competition.
"I have to issue a big compliment to my players," said Horst Hrubesch. "It's great to see how they've accepted the Olympic challenge and what performances they are producing on the pitch." DFB Sporting Director Hansi Flick agreed: "That was an impressive performance. Now we get to enjoy the moment a little and then we'll look ahead."
"... then we can reach the final"
They way Germany's Olympic side dominated Portugal was truly impressive and not at all to be expected. "Portugal had a huge chance right in the first minute, but Timo made a great save," praised centre back Niklas Süle. "But it was essentially the only chance all game that we allowed," continued the 20-year-old TSG Hoffenheim defender. "Overall it was a solid performance and we have to keep going the same way - then we can reach the final."
Despite all their dominance, no one viewed this victory as a revenge for last year's 5-0 semi-final defeat to Portugal at the U21 European Championships. "It didn't play a role before the game and it won't afterwards either," said goalscorer Matthias Ginter. "Only four of our players were in that team last year and Portugal played with an entirely different team today as well."
The Borussia Dortmund centre back is looking to join a very elite group: Having won the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, Ginter is now aiming to be crowned Olympic champion as well. "If it comes to that it would obviously be fantastic," said the 22-year-old. "But we now face a very difficult opponent in the semi-final. We will give everything to reach the final."
Nigeria waits in the semis
Germany will take on Nigeria in the semi-final on Wednesday in Sao Paolo, after the African side saw off Denmark with a 2-0 win in the quarterfinal. Horst Hrubesch is already looking forward to the encounter: "They have a great team with lots of quality," said the 65-year-old. "We had our first final against Portugal and now we are playing our next against Nigeria."
Hrubesch's men will certainly look to continue their attacking fireworks against Nigeria, having bagged 19 goals in four games so far. "It's quite an impressive number," said Davie Selke, who provided the third strike himself against Portugal. "We could've even scored more goals. But during tournaments it's more important to keep a solid defence and try to avoid conceding goals." This will be their aim for the semi-final, as they eye a spot in Rio's Maracana for the final.
Roughly 45,000 spectators inside the Mané Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia witnessed an impressive display from Germany's Olympic football team. Horst Hrubesch's men secured a 4-0 victory over Portugal to secure a spot amongst the top four in the competition.
"I have to issue a big compliment to my players," said Horst Hrubesch. "It's great to see how they've accepted the Olympic challenge and what performances they are producing on the pitch." DFB Sporting Director Hansi Flick agreed: "That was an impressive performance. Now we get to enjoy the moment a little and then we'll look ahead."
"... then we can reach the final"
They way Germany's Olympic side dominated Portugal was truly impressive and not at all to be expected. "Portugal had a huge chance right in the first minute, but Timo made a great save," praised centre back Niklas Süle. "But it was essentially the only chance all game that we allowed," continued the 20-year-old TSG Hoffenheim defender. "Overall it was a solid performance and we have to keep going the same way - then we can reach the final."
Despite all their dominance, no one viewed this victory as a revenge for last year's 5-0 semi-final defeat to Portugal at the U21 European Championships. "It didn't play a role before the game and it won't afterwards either," said goalscorer Matthias Ginter. "Only four of our players were in that team last year and Portugal played with an entirely different team today as well."
The Borussia Dortmund centre back is looking to join a very elite group: Having won the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, Ginter is now aiming to be crowned Olympic champion as well. "If it comes to that it would obviously be fantastic," said the 22-year-old. "But we now face a very difficult opponent in the semi-final. We will give everything to reach the final."
Nigeria waits in the semis
Germany will take on Nigeria in the semi-final on Wednesday in Sao Paolo, after the African side saw off Denmark with a 2-0 win in the quarterfinal. Horst Hrubesch is already looking forward to the encounter: "They have a great team with lots of quality," said the 65-year-old. "We had our first final against Portugal and now we are playing our next against Nigeria."
Hrubesch's men will certainly look to continue their attacking fireworks against Nigeria, having bagged 19 goals in four games so far. "It's quite an impressive number," said Davie Selke, who provided the third strike himself against Portugal. "We could've even scored more goals. But during tournaments it's more important to keep a solid defence and try to avoid conceding goals." This will be their aim for the semi-final, as they eye a spot in Rio's Maracana for the final.
