Miroslav Klose gets his header against Greece
So it was business as usual as the efficient and classy Germans dispatched a Greece side 4-2 in the second quarter final in Gdansk this evening.
They even had the luxury of resting Mario Gomez, Lukas Poldolski and Thomas Muller as they gave some much needed time to some of the rest of the squad. Although it's not bad to have Miraslav Klose to put in is it, as he scored his 17th major final goal for them, Marco Reus, who has just joined German double winners Borussia Dortmund and Schurrle were the other players to benefit from the rotation and none of them disappointed.
After German captain Philipp Lahm finally broke down an organised Greek defence just before the break, who were frustrating their opponents exactly as they planned, there was only going to be one winner and it was the team all and sundry expected it to be.
Greece, who have now have never beaten their opponents in nine competitive matches, scrambled, scampered and blocked their way towards half-time only for the Germany captain to fire home a swerving effort from outside the penalty area six minutes before the break.
Up till that point Joachim Low must of wondered if he had done the right thing in changing his entire front line. His half time cup of tea would have tasted a lot better after his captains strike.
After Miroslav Klose had an early effort ruled out for offside, when Michalis Sifakis had fumbled Khedira's shot, Germany laid siege to Greece's goal.
Excellent movement and passing had the Greeks manning a determined rearguard effort, but even when that was breached Mesut Ozil shot weakly at Sifakis after being set up by the impressive Reus, who had already sliced one shot wide. Klose failed to get on the end of Reus' cross-shot and Khedira had Sifakis scrambling with another shot.
The advantage should have been much greater, however, and Germany were made to pay 10 minutes after the break when out of nowhere Greece equalised.
Substitute Theofanis Gekas released Salpingidis on a quick break down the right, and when he slid over a teasing cross Samaras poked home at the far post.
They were level for only six minutes, though, as Khedira, Germany's supposed defensive linchpin in midfield, timed his run from deep perfectly to volley home from a lovely Jerome Boateng floated cross from the right.
Klose ensured the Greeks could not produce another 2004 upset when he powered home a header from Ozil's free-kick as Sifakis came but got nowhere near the cross, and Reus lashed in a volley off the underside of the crossbar after Klose's shot rebounded off the goalkeeper after being put through by Ozil again.
Salpingidis converted a late penalty, generously awarded for Boateng's handball, but it was little consolation.
On the four previous occasions Germany have won a last-eight encounter they have reached the final, and this performance increased the likelihood of them making it five. The three time Champions are looking in the zone and the signs are ominous for the all the rest of the teams left in the tournament. England or France beware.
@Essexlad13