Germany have reached the semi-finals of Euro 2012 courtesy of a 4-2 win over Greece at the PGE Arena in Gdansk tonight.
Despite Giorgios Samaras's second-half equaliser threatening to cause an upset, Joachim Low's side went on to seal the victory in style.
They thought that they had given themselves the lead after only three minutes, but Andre Schurrle was adjudged to have been offside when he converted the rebound from Sami Khedira's saved effort.
The Greeks had their first attempt on goal soon after as Grigoris Makos saw his speculative drive easily collected by Manuel Neuer.
Germany soon began to take control and should have gone ahead when Marco Reus's first-time drive fizzed wide.
Shurrle curled his shot wide midway through the half before Khedira's low effort was well saved by Michalis Sifakis in the Greek goal.
The breakthrough was finally made seven minutes before the break when Phillip Lahm cut onto his right side before lashing into the top corner.
They nearly doubled their advantage in first-half injury time, but Reus powered wide.
Greece bagged a surprise equaliser 10 minutes after the break when Samaras converted Dimitris Salpigidis's cross from close range.
However, Germany regained the lead just six minutes later thanks to Khedira's volley from Jerome Boateng's assist.
Miroslav Klose killed the game off in the 67th minute when he beat Sifakis to head in Ozil's free kick.
Germany added a spectacular fourth with 15 minutes to play through Reus's thumping volley on the rebound from Klose's saved shot.
Greece managed to grab a consolation in the final five minutes through Salpingidis's penalty after Boateng had handled Vassilia Torossidis's cross.
The 1996 winners will now face either England or Italy for a place in next month's final.
Jack Prescott
