Germany Beats Portugal at Euro 2008

Germany has reached the semifinals of the European Championship football tournament with a 3-2 win over Portugal in Basel, Switzerland.

Bastian Schweinsteiger scored one goal and set up two more Thursday for Germany. Michael Ballack delivered the deciding blow when heading in the third goal in the 61st minute. Germany moves into the final four for the first time since it won the title in 1996. Portugal failed to reach the semifinals for the first time in its last three international tournaments.

Germany will play the winner of Friday's quarterfinal match between Turkey and Croatia.

Germany prevailed even though coach Joachim Loew was banned from the game by European Football's governing body (UEFA) after he was ejected during the final group game, a 1-0 win over Austria.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.