BASEL, Switzerland — Almost from the outset, it was Germany, not Portugal, that showed flair. And the Germans, group runners- up, dominated the Portuguese, group winners.
Bastian Schweinsteiger, coming off a suspension, scored one goal and set up two more Thursday night, leading Germany over Portugal 3-2 and into the European Championship semifinals.
It was the first time Germany moved into the final four since it won Euros in 1996, and the first time Portugal failed to make the semifinals in the last three major international tournaments.
Michael Ballack and Miroslav Klose also scored for Germany off free kicks by Schweinsteiger. Nuno Gomes and Helder Postiga had goals for Portugal.
“Up to now, we lacked a bit of creativity. That is why we changed today and that was the key,” Ballack said. “Now, you saw what this team has when it can play freely.”
The Germans started the upset with a move in the best Portuguese tradition. Lukas Podolski set up a couple of short passing combinations and then sped down left wing. In the center, Schweinsteiger beat Paulo Ferreira and, given the perfect low cross, right-footed it past goalkeeper Ricardo from close range.
Germany will play the winner of today’s quarterfinal match between Turkey and Croatia.
• The U.S. women earned a place in the championship game of the Peace Queen Cup in Suwon, South Korea, with a 2-0 victory over Italy on two goals by Abby Wambach.
Rain suspends College World Series game
OMAHA — The College World Series game between North Carolina and LSU was suspended because of rain and will be resumed tonight.
North Carolina led 2-0 with one out in the top of the first inning when rain and lightning moved into the area and play was stopped.
Games originally scheduled for today — Georgia against Stanford and Fresno State against the winner of the North Carolina-LSU game — will be moved to Saturday.
Notre Dame, NBC reach 5-year deal
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — NBC renewed its television contract with Notre Dame football through the 2015 season, despite the Irish (3-9 last year) drawing their lowest ratings since the network began broadcasting their games in 1991.
• The Big Ten Network and Comcast Corp. announced a multiyear agreement for programming that starts with expanded basic Aug. 15 in states with Big Ten schools: Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio. Comcast doesn’t have any subscribers in Iowa.
Footnotes.
Kim Kirchen of Luxembourg won the sixth stage of the Tour de Suisse to take the overall lead in Verbier, Switzerland.
• Big Brown is on his way back to the races, his next start set for the Haskell Invitational on Aug. 3.
• Chivas USA beat the Chicago Fire 2-0 in Major League Soccer in Carson, Calif.
• Former Ohio State player Jason Simmons, convicted of having sex with a 14-year-old girl, has been sentenced to a year in prison for sexual battery.The Associated Press
