We played for the coach, says Schweinsteiger
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-06-20 09:31

BASEL - Germany played for banned coach Joachim Loew in a 3-2 win over Portugal in a thrilling Euro 2008 quarter-final on Thursday, said match-winner Bastian Schweinsteiger.


Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger wears a hat on the pitch after their Euro 2008 quarter-final soccer match victory over Portugal at St Jakob Park stadium in Basel, June 19, 2008. [Agencies] 

"We played for the coach today," said the dynamo with the peroxide hair, who made amends for his dismissal in a group defeat by Croatia by scoring his side's first goal and setting up the two others.

Loew was banned from the touchline by UEFA after a row in his side's final Group B match on Monday, a 1-0 win over Austria that Schweinsteiger missed through suspension.

The coach watched the game from a glass box in the stands on a rainy night in Basel and was seen nervously lighting a cigarette in the tense closing stages.

Loew could only be delighted with what he saw, Germany showing typical courage and mental strength to knock out a talent-packed Portugal team featuring arguably the best player in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo.

But what must have pleased Loew the most was a splendid performance by Schweinsteiger, who opened the scoring on 22 minutes before setting up headed goals by Miroslav Klose and Michael Ballack from perfectly delivered free-kicks.

Beating Portugal keeper Ricardo is a habit for Schweinsteiger, who had done it twice already in Germany's 3-1 win over the same opponents in the third-place playoff at the 2006 World Cup.

"We're in the top four and we kicked out the best team in the tournament," Schweinsteiger, nicknamed "Schweini" in Germany, said proudly.

TEAM EFFORT

"I knew I had made a mistake against Croatia and I wanted to help the team out in the best possible way," he added.

"But it was not just me, it was a team effort. The German virtues played out very well tonight."

While Loew kept standing up behind his window, assistant coach Hansi Flick took over the coaching role by the bench.

"I had no contact with Joachim but we had planned everything beforehand and everything worked out," Flick said.

Among the things Loew and his assistant had discussed was Schweinsteiger's situation.

"He had some time to rest and get ready for this match," Flick said. "We talked to him and told him he couldn't let the team down. He had promised to come up with a great performance and he did just that."

Before the match, the 23-year-old Schweinsteiger, famous for his skills and speed but also for sometimes struggling to hold his nerve, had briefly spoken with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"She told me I shouldn't do the same foolish things any more and should instead play the best I can," he said. "I think when the Chancellor tells you to do something you have to listen."