Michael Ballack scored the only goal as Germany beat United States 1-0 in Ulsan on Friday but the
three-time champions must thank goalkeeper and captain Oliver Kahn for their first appearance at the World Cup semi-finals in 12 years. Kahn made a series of spectacular saves as the Americans showed they would not go down without a fight in the tense and fiercely fought quarter final.
Minute of silence for Fritz Walter
The German national team played the game with black ribbon in memory of the late honour captain Fritz Walter. Additionally the game began with a minute of silence to honour the World Champion of 1954.
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ballack rose powerfully to head a 39th-minute Christian Ziege free kick from the right past US
goalkeeper Brad Friedel. That secured a place in the last four against South Korea or Spain in Seoul next Tuesday. Germany last reached the semi-finals in 1990 when they went on to win the tournament.
Match-winner Ballack said: "We put the pressure on, but we had problems finding space. We knew dead-ball situations were our strength. It was a tough bit of work, but things worked out and we are happy to be in the semis." It was Ballack's second goal of the tournament.
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[bild1]Michael Ballack scored the only goal as Germany beat United States 1-0 in Ulsan on Friday but the
three-time champions must thank goalkeeper and captain Oliver Kahn for their first appearance at the World Cup semi-finals in 12 years. Kahn made a series of spectacular saves as the Americans showed they would not go down without a fight in the tense and fiercely fought quarter final.
Minute of silence for Fritz Walter
The German national team played the game with black ribbon in memory of the late honour captain Fritz Walter. Additionally the game began with a minute of silence to honour the World Champion of 1954.
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ballack rose powerfully to head a 39th-minute Christian Ziege free kick from the right past US
goalkeeper Brad Friedel. That secured a place in the last four against South Korea or Spain in Seoul next Tuesday. Germany last reached the semi-finals in 1990 when they went on to win the tournament.
Match-winner Ballack said: "We put the pressure on, but we had problems finding space. We knew dead-ball situations were our strength. It was a tough bit of work, but things worked out and we are happy to be in the semis." It was Ballack's second goal of the tournament.
