Source: CCTV.com

06-18-2008 13:17

Special Report:   2008 European Championships

Germany's coach Joachim Loew will have to wait until Wednesday -- just a day before the quarterfinal kickoff against Portugal -- to find out whether or not he'll be banned from the touchline.

Coach of German national soccer team Joachim Loew is seen  during a press conference in Tenero, near Ascona,  Switzerland, Tuesday, June 17, 2008. Germany is in group  B at the Euro 2008 European Soccer Championships in  Austria and Switzerland.(AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Loew is facing a possible suspension after he and Austria's coach Josef Hickersberger were banished to the stands by the referee after they appeared to bicker with the fourth official shortly before halftime during Germany's 1-nil win on Monday. Even though their victory was less than convincing, it was still enough to book them a place in the last eight and to put the team back in the right frame of mind. Loew says he's still confident that they can progress further.

Meanwhile, Portugal were put through their paces in training on Tuesday. Star forward Cristiano Ronaldo remained tight-lipped as he faced the media about his future, and insisted that his mind is focused on beating Germany and progressing to the semi-finals.

Portugal have been in great form in the tournament so far, and showed no mercy clocking up wins over Turkey and the Czech Republic.

Portugal's reserve team lost to co-hosts Switzerland in a dead match, but they're are expected to field all their stars when they meet Germany.

 

Editor:Du Xiaodan