Live Commentary

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1. Thanks for all your comments today folks! Don't forget, you can always follow me on Twitter: @RazMirza to send me your views!FULL TIME: Germany are through to the semi-finals for the fourth consecutive tournament after a commanding victory over the 2004 European Champions Greece. Philip Lahm's opener was cancelled out by Georgios Samaras before Sami Khedira, Miroslav Klose and Marco Reus scored goals in a devastating 13 minute spell in the second half. Dimitris Salpingidis' penalty was just a mere consolation goal late on. On this form, Joachim Low's side must be red hot favourites to claim their fourth crown!

2. 90

   Two added minutes of stoppage time then and going back to that penalty award, I think even the Slovenian was feeling sorry for the Greeks, because Boateng wa't even looking at the ball when it hit him.

3. Salpingidis, who scored the equalsier for Greece in the opening game of the tournament against the co-hosts Poland, sends Manuel Neuer the wrong way.

4. 89

   PENALTY GOAL: Germany 4 Greece 2 (Dimitris Salpingidis Pen 89).

5. 88

   PENALTY GIVEN: Vassilis Torosidis' cross hits Jerome Boateng's hand and referee Damir Skomina points to the spot.

6. 87

   German Chancellor Angela Merkel has enjoyed her night anyway.

7. 86

   Dimitris Salpingidis is felled by Ozil for a free-kick deep inside their own half.

8. 85

   Mesut Ozil, who has been at the heart of everything this evening attempts to get on the scoresheet, but Sifakis makes the stop.

9. 84

   Mats Hummels times his tackle superbly as Georgios Samaras looked to be away and clear.

10. 83

    Looks like the Germans are heading for a semi-final against either Italy or England next Thursday.

11. 82

    Not a bad strike from Giorgos Fotakis, who has a dig from 35-yards plus, but Manuel Neuer is behind the ball.

12. 81

    Borussia Dortmund have re-signed Marco Reus for next season for a reported fee of £14.5million and he has been impressive tonight, capped off with a wonderful goal.

13. 79

    SUBSTITUTIONS: Mario Gomez and wonderkid Mario Gotze are on for Miroslav Klose and Marco Reus.

14. 77

    The Greek fans are in shock, because they've been simply crushed by this German machine, who are looking very impressive.

15. 76

    YELLOW CARD: Socratis Papastathopoulos is booked for a late challenge.

16. Mesut Ozil finds Miroslav Klose with a lovely through ball, but Michail Sifakis is out to make the block. However, Reus is on hand to thrash the loose ball into the back of the net from just inside the box. Stunning finish!

17. 74

    GOAL: Germany 4 (Marco Reus 74) Greece 1.

18. 72

    It will have to take an Herculean effort from Greece to come back from this now.

19. 71

    SUBSTITUTION: Nikos Liberopoulos replaces Grigoris Makos as Fernando Santos makes his final change.

20. 70

    Surely that's game over for the Greeks? As substitute Thomas Muller fires his shot just wide.

21. Klose scores his 64th international goal as Mesut Ozil's free-kick is swung over and Michail Sifakis attempts to come out and claim the ball, but the striker gets above Kyriakos Papadopoulos and the keeper to nod the ball into an empty net from close-range.

22. 68

    GOAL: Germany 3 (Miroslav Klose 68) Greece 1.

23. 67

    SUBSTITUTION: Andre Schurrle is replaced by young Thomas Muller.

24. 65

    Replays show Khedira caught the ball with his shin, but you can't take anything away from the execution. Top quality!

25. 64

    By the way, that was only Sami Khedira's second international goal as Joachim Low gets ready to make his first substitution.

26. 63

    The German come close to adding a third, but Vassilis Torosidis makes an excellent challenge in the area to deny Marco Reus a shot on goal.

27. He'll need another teamtalk now because the Germans are back in the lead! Jerome Boateng's right-footed cross is caught beautifully by the Real Madrid midfielder from about 10-yards out and the ball flies past Michail Sifakis into the roof of the net.

28. 61

    GOAL: Germany 2 (Sami Khedira 61) Greece 1.

29. 60

    Fernando Santos is sitting calmly and obviously made the right changes and gave the right teamtalk at the break.

30. 59

    Philip Lahm finds Andre Schurrle, who bends his effort well over the crossbar.

31. 57

    Goodness me! Who would have every thought that we would be level right now? The Germans are back in possession, while the Greek fans are in ecstasy.

32. Sucker punch from Greece! They always seem to score. The 2004 European Champions break through Theofanis Gekas and Dimitris Salpingidis' brilliant low ball into the box from the right is met by the Celtic striker at the back post, despite Manuel Neuer's best efforts.

33. 55

    GOAL: Germany 1 Greece 1 (Georgios Samaras 55).

34. 54

    Now, Ozil's corner is met by Holger Badstuber, but he fails to get the ball on target.

35. 53

    Greece break and Georgios Samaras attempts to link up with Theofanis Gekas, but the move breaks down at the last final moment.

36. 52

    The Germans are being, well, efficient thus far. Getting the job done.

37. 51

    Holger Badstuber has taken a knock and is walking around with a slight hobble.

38. 50

    Ozil's free-kick is met by Holger Badstuber at the back post, but Papastathopoulos clears his lines.

39. 49

    Miroslav Klose shows good pace to get away from his marker and win the corner, however, that comes to nothing and now the pacey Reus wins a free-kick in Greek territory.

40. 48

    Sami Khedira attempts a backheel, but Kyriakos Papadopoulos smashes the ball upfield.

41. 47

    I wonder what Greek coach Fernando Santos said at half-time? Germany win a throw.

42. 46

    SUBSUTITUTIONS: Double change here! Theofanis Gekas and Giorgos Fotakis replace Sotiris Ninis and Giorgos Tzavelas for Greece at the start of the second half.

43. 20:48

    Germany had 70 percent possession in the first half. Passes completed by the Germans - 344 to the Greeks - 78. Ouch!

44. 20:45

    Geoff emails me to say: 'Impossible task now for Greece! They will have to attack and that will leave themselves open! Can't rely on their back 'nine'. Good practice for the Germans though! If they meet England next, they'll be adopting the same tactics!'

45. 20:43

    Nick says: 'Forget the Spanish...as an Englishman, this German team scares the hell out of me!!!'

46. 20:42

    Danny makes a good point here: 'Hello Raz, I think the changes made to the German starting 11 are a master stroke. Schurrle and Reus are lightning quick and both have something to prove. Muller and Podolski have under-performed massively and why not rest Gomez for the tougher test that surely awaits?'

47. 20:41

    If you'd like to air your views during the second half, email Raz...that's me! at razwan.mirza@bskyb.com or Tweet me: @RazMirza and I'll publish as many as I can.

48. 20:40

    My pre-match prediction of 2-1 to Germany is still on at 8/1. Head now to SKYBET to place your bets.

49. HALF TIME: Germany deservedly lead at the break thanks to a superb right-foot strike from Philip Lahm after 39 minutes. It could have been six or seven for Joachim Low's side. Greece head coach Fernando Santos will have to change their game plan for the second half if they are to cause the biggest upset of the tournament.

50. 45+2

    SO CLOSE GERMANY! Andre Schurrle dashes in from the left, just like Lahm did for the goal, but his right-foot strike only finds the side netting at the near post.

51. 45

    The corner is cleared, but Germany are back on the ball as the sixth official holds the board up with three added minutes of stoppage time at the end of this half.

52. 44

    Greece are struggling to keep possession as Andre Schurrle bends his effort towards goal, and the ball takes a slight deflection for a corner.

53. 43

    Steve is back in touch on Twitter to say: 'At last, Germany penetrate the Greek back nine!'

54. 42

    This could be a long night for the Greeks as Marco Reus' shot is blocked and Miroslav Klose is caught offside.

55. 41

    The Germans may now feel there are more goals in this game for them.

56. The skipper has done it! Lahm cuts in from the left and fires a stunning right-foot shot past Michail Sifakis. The goal had been coming and the Germans deserve to be ahead. What now for Greece?

57. 39

    GOAL: Germany 1 (Philip Lahm 39) Greece 0.

58. 37

    Joachim Low is waving his hands in the air and going mad on the touchline. I've not seen such a one-sided game like this has been for years.

59. 36

    SAVE! Ozil sets up Sami Khedira for the shot and Michail Sifakis parries the ball straight out, but Giorgos Tzavelas is on hand to whack the ball away.

60. 35

    Mesut Ozil's take is cleared before it reaches Mats Hummels, but the ball is coming straight back.

61. 34

    Sotiris Ninis loses the ball to Mesut Ozil, who is driven wide and the Germans win a corner.

62. 33

    Andre Schurrle gets away from Vassilis Torosidis before attempting a bender into the far corner. The shot doe't worry Michail Sifakis though.

63. 31

    CHANCE GREECE! Sotiris Ninis decides to have a dig from 25-yards, but Manuel Neuer gets everything behind it to make the stop. Not a bad effort mind!

64. 30

    Mats Hummels gives the ball away to Kostas Katsouranis and he finds Georgios Samaras down the wing and Giorgos Tzavelas eventually hands Germany the throw.

65. 29

    The trumpet is playing loudly in the Greek end while the German fans are getting slightly nervous.

66. 28

    Gavin emails in to say: 'I think Germany will be far too strong for Greece tonight and will win 2:0 with Podolski coming off the bench to score. More austerity from the hands or in this case the feet of the Germans in store for poor old Greece.'

67. 27

    Trust me, I've seen them in action back in 2004, when they went on to win it and this is how they play. They simply frustrate their opponents. The Germans are back in possession.

68. 26

    If this was a bozing match, then I'm sure the referee would have ended the contest, but this is the way the Greeks play.

69. 25

    A THIRD OPPORTUNITY! These are chances Germany should be putting away as the impressive Reus slices his effort wide of the mark.

70. 24

    ANOTHER CHANCE! Mesut Ozil picks out Reus again and his shot is dragged inches wide of goal with Miroslav Klose stretching every sinew of his body at the back post to try and stick the ball home.

71. 23

    CHANCE GERMANY! Marco Reus plays a delightful one-two before Mesut Ozil fires his shot towards goal, but Michail Sifakis gets down to make an important save.

72. 21

    Steve Tweets me to say: 'Against Germany, the Greeks are unconcerned about strategy. All they want to know is whether that cup really is made of silver.'

73. 20

    Sotiris Ninis and Kostas Katsouranis combine in the middle of the park, but Jerome Boateng does well to win the ball back.

74. 19

    Georgios Samaras wins a throw despite strong appeals from Jerome Boateng that it should have gone the way of the Germans.

75. 18

    At the other end Miroslav Klose is lurking, but Michail Sifakis, who was suffering from what seemed to be a headache after an earlier challenge, was alert to claim the ball in his six-yard box.

76. 17

    The Greeks are looking to counter at every opportunity but Sotiris Ninis' pass is very poor and they hand the ball back to Germany.

77. 16

    Vassilis Torosidis is angry with the busy Sami Khedira as the midfielder goes over in the area claiming a penalty. Referee Damir Skomina waves away appeals though.

78. 15

    Steffen Tweets me to say: 'Perfect start for the Germans. Low's overhaul makes already sense.'

79. 14

    YELLOW CARD: Georgios Samaras is deservedly booked for a late challenge on Bastian Schweinsteiger.

80. 13

    The Germans win a free-kick to the left and Mesut Ozil's inswinger is headed out of the danger zone.

81. 12

    CHANCE GERMANY! The Germans open up Greece like a knife through butter as Khedira plays Marco Reus in, but the Borussia Dortmund man shins his effort rather disappointingly wide of the mark.

82. 11

    Kostas Katsouranis wins the ball off Badstuber, but his through ball leaves a little to be desired.

83. 10

    The rain has been falling heavily in Gdansk today, which is why the pitch is a little on the heavy side.

84. 9

    Dimitris Salpingidis looks to break away for the men in blue, but Neuer is quickly out to collect the loose ball.

85. 8

    Bit of keep ball for Joachim Low's side, until Holger Badstuber lets the ball run underneath his boot for a Greek throw.

86. 7

    Giannis Maniatis finds Grigoris Makos in the middle of the park and the midfielder's low drive is easily held by the giant Manuel Neuer.

87. 6

    The men in white have all the early possession as the impressive Khedira collects the ball and has a pop from long-range, which is well over the crossbar.

88. 5

    Now Sifakis is receiving some medical attention after seeming a little dazed and confused. A worrying start this for the Greeks!

89. 4

    OFFSIDE! Awful defending by the Greeks again as Sami Khedira's shot is spilled by Michail Sifakis and Andre Schurrle sticks the ball into the back of the net, but the flag immediately goes up.

90. 3

    Now Marco Reus breaks forward and that was another opportunity for Germany as Greek defenders just about clear their lines. Sami Khedira is in need of some medical attention.

91. 2

    Miroslav Klose - winning his 120th cap tonight is caught offside, although replays show he was actually well on. That could have been an early opening for the Germans.

92. 1

    Greece get the game underway, or do we! No, for the first-time this tournament we have a restart.

93. 19:45

    Gerry's back in tough to say: 'Hey Raz , you wouldn't want to be in Miami today as been raining most of the day although still a good heat in the outside air.' Thanks for the lowdown Gerry.

94. 19:44

    David has Tweeted me with a cracker. He says: 'Is it true that Gomez, Podolski and Muller were cut due to austerity measures?' Very good David!

95. 19:43

    We've got a Toga party at the Greek end as we get set for a Euro showdown. Keep those comments coming in folks! Email Raz...that's me! at razwan.mirza@bskyb.com or Tweet me: @RazMirza and I'll publish as many as I can.

96. 19:41

    The national anthems are being played at a packed PGE Arena in Gdansk.

97. 19:40

    Greece are yet to beat Germany in eight attempts and the Germans have scored in each of their last 19 matches. Impressive hey!

98. 19:38

    Thousands of fans from the two nations at opposite ends of the eurozone financial crisis converged on neutral Polish turf for this match. 25,000 Germans and 5,000 from Greece as the teams line-up in the tunnel.

99. 19:30

    For a betting preview ahead of tonight's clash in Gdansk Click here. And to see all the match markets for Germany v Greece then Click here. I'm going for a pre-match prediction of 2-1 to Germany, which is 8/1. Head now to SKYBET to place your bets.

100. 19:25

     Greece are without captain Giorgos Karagounis who is suspended and scored the winner against Russia in their final group match. Fundly enough, back in 2004, he picked up two yellow cards in the first two group games and was suspended for the third game and then he picked up yellow cards in the quarter-final and semi-final to miss the final. Maybe, this guy is a good luck charm for them!

101. 19:20

     Don't forget, if you'd like to air your views before or during the match, email Raz...that's me! at razwan.mirza@bskyb.com or Tweet me: @RazMirza and I'll publish as many as I can.

102. 19:17

     Ben is unhappy with the German line-up. He says: 'Very surprised with the team that Joachim Low has picked tonight. He has already stated that he 'won't take Greece lightly' but has dropped Gomez, Muller and Podolski for the game. The team sheets will really inspire Greece, and I think Germany may have made a mistake here.' Can't wait to find out Ben. Maybe he thinks it's going to be a walkover!

103. 19:15

     Gerry from Miami says: 'I'm thinking this will be a tough encounter tonight and will end 1-1 with Germany progressing after extra time by a scoreline 2-1. Gomez and Muller scoring and Salpingidis for the Greeks.' Wish I was in Miami Gerry!

104. 19:14

     Chris says: 'Masterstroke or bad move for Low to drop Muller, Gomez and Podolski from the startting line up for tonight's game?' Only time will tell Chris!

105. 19:12

     Timal emails me to say: 'What is this? Quarter final or practice game for Germany. I think they will win easily. 2 or more goals and a clean sheet. Hope Muller will start scoring today.' Sadly, Muller is on the bench my friend. Maybe he will come on later though!

106. 19:11

     Meanwhile, Brad says: 'I think that the match tonight will either be a comfortable german win or Greece could pull of a shock.'

107. 19:10

     Peter emails in to say: 'Hey Raz, Peter the ex-pat (Come on England) Villa fan checking in from Chicago. Going for an upset (I hope) and Greece actually kicking Germany out the 'Euro' with a late flurry of goals 3-2.' Nice pun Peter. I'll give you 9 out of 10 for that!

108. 19:07

     Greek head coach Fernando Santos will likely his team out to frustrate the Germans and hope to score from a corner or free-kick.

109. 19:06

     Greece make two changes with defensive midfielder Grigoris Makos replacing suspended captain Giorgos Karagounis and midfielder Sotiris Ninis starting instead of forward Fanis Gekas.

110. 19:04

     Klose, 34, scored the last time the two sides faced each other, in a World Cup qualifying match in 2001.

111. 19:03

     So Germany overhaul their forward line, bringing in Miroslav Klose for tournament top scorer Mario Gomez and leaving out wingers Lukas Podolski and Thomas Mueller in his in his 4-2-3-1 formation. Lightning quick Andre Schuerrle is brought in to replace Podolski, who has had a lacklustre tournament so far, and the equally speedy Marco Reus takes over from Mueller on the right. Germany coach Joachim Low also reinstates Jerome Boateng at right back after his suspension.

112. 19:01

     GERMANY: Neuer, Boateng, Hummels, Badstuber, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Khedira, Reus, Ozil, Schurrle, Klose.

113. 19:01

     SUBSTITUTES: Wiese, Gundogan, Schmelzer, Howedes, Podolski, Muller, Bender, Mertesacker, Kroos, Gotze, Gomez, Zieler.

114. 19:01

     GREECE: Sifakis, Torosidis, Papastathopoulos, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Tzavelas, Makos, Maniatis, Ninis, Katsouranis, Samaras, Salpingidis.

115. 19:01

     SUBSTITUTES: Chalkias, Malezas, Liberopoulos, Mitroglou, Fotakis, Gekas, Fortounis, Fetfatzidis, Tzorvas.

116. 19:01

     REFEREE: Damir Skomina (Slovenia).

117. 19:00

     Here come the teams...

118. 18:57

     'It was always our main aim to reach the quarterfinals. So now we have nothing to lose,' said Greek defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos, one of the many Greece players with Bundesliga experience. 'We are playing against one of the best teams here. All I can say is that we'll fight. If we get the win, that would be a huge result.' Greece has plenty of reason to be thankful to Germany the 2004 champion side was coached by a German, Otto Rehhagel.

119. 18:56

     'We'll a need a certain killer instinct,' Joachim Low said. The Greeks have six players with Bundesliga experience and Manuel Neuer singled out Fanis Gekas as a dangerous striker with poaching skills. 'He's got a nose for being in the right place at the right time.'

120. 18:56

     Email Raz...that's me! at razwan.mirza@bskyb.com or Tweet me: @RazMirza and I'll publish as many as I can.

121. 18:55

     German Chancellor Angela Merkel will be in the stadium tonight, sitting next to UEFA chief Michel Platini. I wonder how the Greek fans will react when her image is inevitably beamed up onto the big screen?

122. 18:52

     Germany, Europe's biggest economy, has been a major contributor to international bailouts for Greece and was instrumental in demanding structural reforms and hugely unpopular spending cuts in return. And at Euro 2012 comes debt-crippled Greece, in its fifth year of recession and with a third of the population living below the poverty line, against the mighty Germany, its biggest creditor and the country many Greeks blame for the severity of the austerity measures they are now enduring.

123. 18:50

     Passions are sure to be running high when three-time champion Germany takes on the surprise 2004 tournament winner. For Greece fans, tonight's clash in rainy Gdansk inevitably mixes sports and politics, Euro 2012 and the euro currency.

124. 18:45

     If you'd like to air your views before or during the match, email Raz...that's me! at razwan.mirza@bskyb.com or Tweet me: @RazMirza and I'll publish as many as I can.

125. 18:45

     Hello and welcome to our live minute-by-minute text commentary from this Euro 2012 quarter-final clash between Germany and Greece, which is being dubbed as 'The Debt Derby' from the PGE Arena in Gdansk.