The only team with a perfect record at Euro 2012 returns to the pitch on Friday, as Group B winner Germany takes on Greece at PGE Arena in Gdansk, Poland.
Ranked third in the world in the most recent FIFA/Coca-Cola rankings, the Germans had their work cut out for them in the group stage, winding up in Group B with the Netherlands (No. 4), Denmark (No. 9) and Portugal (No. 10). Undaunted, the Germans won the "Group of Death" on the strength of three goals by Mario Gomez and sterling goalkeeping by Manuel Neuer, who has turned aside nine of the 11 shots he's faced so far in Poland.
That set up a match with Greece, which scored a massive upset on the final day of group play with a win over Russia. Giorgios Karagounis scored the lone goal of the game just before halftime, setting the stage for the No. 13 team in the world to be ousted from the tournament. The Greeks will look for another defensive gem from Michalis Sifakis, who has stopped all three shots he's seen since he came on for Kostas Chalkias in the 22nd minute of Greece's loss to the Czech Republic.
That won't be easy against the Germans, particularly Gomez, who has been on fire in this tournament. The Bayern Munich star scored every goal for Germany in the wins against Portugal and the Netherlands before assisting on Lukas Podolski's opening goal against Denmark. Lars Bender has also come up with a timely goal for the Germans, scoring the winner against the Danes, while Bastian Schweinsteiger has been a key catalyst with a pair of assists.
Kickoff time in Poland is set for 8:45 p.m. Central European Time (2:45 p.m. ET in the U.S.)