* Germany reach semi-finals with 4-2 win
* Lahm grabs opening German goal
* Samaras gives Greece hope wtih equaliser
* Khedira, Klose and Reus end Greek fightback
(Adds more quotes)
By Martyn Herman
GDANSK, June 22 (Reuters) – Germany crushed Greece 4-2 to
reach the Euro 2012 semi-finals on Friday, surviving a scare
before putting their opponents to the sword with second-half
goals from Sami Khedira, Miroslav Klose and Marco Reus.
Joachim Loew’s team had 39 minutes to break down a dogged
Greek side when Philipp Lahm’s swerving effort put them in front
but they were stunned 10 minutes after halftime when Giorgos
Samaras levelled on the break.
However, Khedira’s rasping volley and a header from Klose,
his 64th goal for his country, eased Germany’s nerves and Reus
added a fourth as they set up a semi-final against England or
Italy.
Greece grabbed a late consolation through a penalty from
Dimitris Salpingidis.
“It was a classy performance. We can be proud of this team,”
said Joachim Loew. “It was clear they’d get a goal against the
run of play at some point. We didn’t take advantage of our
chances early. We didn’t panic at 1-1 but reacted well.”
Germany captain Lahm added: “We were too slow at times and
made too many simple mistakes but the important thing is that
we’re in the semi-finals.”
Greece coach Fernando Santos told reporters: “I said if we
could score once it would change it completely and we could get
something out of it.
“But the bad thing was that we conceded the second really
soon and that clipped our wings… but we fought to the last
moment.”
Germany, who had never lost to Greece in eight previous
meetings, were much-changed from the side that beat Denmark in
their final group game, with Mario Gomez, Lukas Podolski and
Thomas Mueller dropped to the bench.
Expecting gritty Greece to pack their defence, coach Joachim
Loew opted for veteran Klose up front with pace and width
supplied by Reus and Andre Schuerrle.
Aggressive from the start, Germany looked determined not to
get bogged down on a pitch made heavy by two days of rain and
they set about creating chances.
GREASY TURF
Schuerrle put the ball in the net after less than five
minutes, prodding it in after Greece keeper Michalis Sifakis
spilled Khedira’s shot on the greasy turf but a linesman’s flag
curtailed the celebrations.
Greece, with defensive midfielder Grigoris Makos replacing
suspended skipper Giorgos Karagounis, dug in but it was one-way
traffic as Khedira and Reus wasted good chances.
Coach Loew was visibly angry at his side’s profligacy but
the Germans remained patient and were rewarded after 39 minutes
when Lahm produced an unstoppable finish that had watching
German Chancellor Angela Merkel leaping out of her seat.
The ball was worked to him 25 metres from goal on the left
and there was only one thing on his mind as took a few paces
forward before unleashing a right-foot shot that swerved past
the desperate dive of Sifakis.
It seemed the only danger to Germany was an occasional lapse
in concentration and they were punished severely 10 minutes
after the break when they were caught short at the back as
Dimitris Salpingidis galloped down the right and slid in a
pinpoint cross that was converted by Giorgos Samaras.
The equaliser was met with a sense of disbelief in the
stadium, apart from a clump of 2,000 or so joyous Greek fans
behind the goal.
Germany quickly cleared their heads and were back in front
six minutes later when Boateng’s cross was met with a stunning
volley from Khedira before Klose climbed high to head in Mesut
Ozil’s free kick.
With 2008 runners-up Germany on cruise control, Reus slammed
in the fourth as their fans began to dream of a fourth European
title that looks well within their grasp.
Asked about the semi-final, Lahm said: “It’s difficult to
make any predictions. England are playing very well in this
tournament, Italy are also difficult opponents.”
(Editing by Ed Osmond)
