It was once more the Germans who were the most impressive in the quarter finals; comfortably dispatching the valiant Greeks 4-2. It was something of a masterstroke from the German coach, perhaps granted to him by the fortune of a slightly easier tie in the quarter finals. Low rotated his squad perfectly over the final group game and then the game against Greece, allowing some of his best players a well-deserved rest, whilst breathing new life into the side. It was an emphatic statement of the nation’s quality in depth, and only confirms their deserved favourites tag. The Germans have undoubtedly been the tournament’s most impressive outfit, combining their usual strength and resilience with the outstanding quality of the likes of Mesut Ozil and Bastian Schweinsteiger. They look a side with very few weaknesses and they look confident in their ability to beat anyone they face.

In the semi-finals they will face a trickier assignment when they take on 2006 World Cup winners Italy. At that tournament, it was the unfancied Italians who knocked the Germans out at the semi-final stage. Today, the two squads for the most part are completely different, both in terms of personnel and style, but there is always something ominous about an Italian side that quietly goes about its business as they have thus far. The Italians were a class above a poor English side, but they will face a much tougher test of their abilities in the semis. Logic dictates that the Germans should win, as they look to be a better team performing at a higher level, but this is the beauty of cup football. Anyone can win.

And that is a point that will be reiterated over and over again in the camp of Group B’s other representatives, Portugal. The typically defiant Portuguese insist they are confident in their ability to beat the defending European champions, but when you’re coming up against a side that has dominated the international scene as emphatically as the Spanish have, there have to be a few doubts. It is hard to talk about Portugal without mentioning Cristiano Ronaldo, but he will without doubt be the key player. The Real Madrid star has looked like a man possessed as he looks to prove that he can produce on the international stage, as well as again proving that he is indeed a big game player. Ronaldo has given two fantastic performances in Portugal’s two most important games at this year’s European Championships, and he will need to back that up with a similar display against the Spanish.

Whilst Ronaldo has been winning games, he has been admirably aided by the likes of Joao Moutinho, Miguel Veloso, Pepe, Fabio Coentrao and Nani. They might not be ladled with the same intense expectation of Ronaldo, and they might not strike fear into the hearts of their opponents but they have all proven at different times in this tournament that they all have the quality to hurt anyone that doesn’t take them seriously. Paulo Bento has a very talented side at his disposal, with plenty of creativity, and just enough discipline in all the right places. Spain might be favourites, but they will underestimate this Portuguese outfit at their peril.

A Group B final remains a distinct possibility as we head into the semi-finals, but for now, both sides will have their sights firmly on their respective opponents.