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• Nickname:Die Mannschaft
• Founded:1908
• Manager:Joachim Löw

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Low fears for injured Podolski

17 Jun 2008 - 17:27:07

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Germany striker Lukas Podolski faces a race against time to be fit for Thursday's quarter-final clash against Portugal in Basel.

The Bayern Munich star is struggling with a calf injury, although he was able to feature in the 1-0 win against Austria that sealed the Germans' place in the last eight.

"Lukas is suffering from calf trouble, which affected him in the second half against Austria," said Low.

"Our medical team will do everything they can in the coming days to get him fit, but there is a big question mark over whether he can play."

Meanwhile, Low has demanded an improvement in his team's performance when they take on Portugal.

He added: "We were unable to show our true selves and our ability in either of the past two games. Against Croatia we played poorly and against Austria we had an enormous amount of pressure on us.

"In the end it was important just to endure and somehow advance. And luckily for us it worked out.

"However, the Portuguese will play forward much more than Croatia and Austria did and that favours our style.

"In addition, for the first time in this tournament, we will not be the favourites in this match. I expect a game with two attacking teams and I think our chances are 50-50."