Euro 2000 Group A - Germany v Portugal Preview

The European champions Germany are on the brink of elimination from Euro 2000 but they are set to face Portugal's second choice team in Rotterdam tonight.

Portugal are already through to the next stage of Euro 2000 and will rest all their top stars before the quarter final clash against Turkey on Saturday.

Italy made 8 changes to their team last night to beat Sweden 2-1 when they were in a similar situation and France and Holland will repeat the trick tomorrow night as Group D concludes.

The move by Portugal hurts Romanian chances. They need Portugal to beat Germany and win against England to get through but Portugal have little chance against a weak German team which lost 1-0 to England on Saturday night.

Portugal beat Romania with a 94th minute goal from Costinha and he plays tonight but only goalkeeper Vitor Baia, Dimas and Fernando Couto will play tonight for the Portuguese as they try to preserve the strength of their top players for the knock out stage.

Germany will start with Markus Bode and Paolo Rink on the bench but both are likely to play. Midfielders Jens Jeremies and Christian Ziege are unfit and defender Markus Babbel is also not going to play against the Portuguese.

Germany do not need much improvement to beat the Portugal second XI and the desire of the champions to keep fighting all the way to the end should see them win easily. Captain Lothar Matthaeus will win his 150th cap but his side faces elimination and major changes with a new coach and plenty of new players ready to be called up in time for the start of 2002 World Cup qualifiers in September.

The Germans will reach the last 8 only if they win and Romania win with goal difference between the Romanians and the German team being the deciding factor. Stranger things have happened and Portugal will provide little resistance as Germany look to hold up their side of the bargain knowing Romania are a tough side to play against.

Half Time score - Germany 1 Portugal 0

Full Time score - Germany 2 Portugal 0

First scorer - Carsten Jancker

Number of corners - 8