GERMANY VS ARGENTINAGreat start to the quarters: Hosts in fine form, Argentina are top of the past classLook for: Goals. 20 between them so far at WC ‘06Don’t look for: Too many Argentine flags in the stands; Berlin will be double-DeutschDark horses: Frings, Germany’s midfield enforcer, and Crespo, the lethal finisherBattle plan: Germany’s speed, Argentina’s accuracyKey players: Ballack for Germany, Riquelme for ArgentinaITALY VS UKRAINETwo teams who are here by the narrowest of marginsLook for: Nerves; in Italy, because of what’s at stake, and in Ukraine, because this is very new territoryDon’t look for: Goals. Ukraine have one proven goalscorer and Italy’s touch is deserting themDark horses: Gattuso, who will shadow his Milan teammate, and Shovkovsky, hero of the shootoutBattle plan: Italy’s experience, Ukraine’s underdog statusKey players: Totti &Sheva, renewing their Rome-Milan rivalryENGLAND VS PORTUGALOnce again, Eriksson meets Scolari. Will England be third time lucky?Look for: Bad blood. England are convinced Portugal are divers, Iberians think their opponents are whingersDon’t look for: Deco. Portugal’s playmaker is suspended. So is Costinha.Dark horses: Beckham, who can change a match with one dead-ball or a cross in. And Simao, who does the same thing for PortugalBattle plan: England are at full strength, Portugal miss their creator and their destroyerKey players: Rooney and Figo. The new star and the oldFRANCE VS BRAZILGreat way to end the quartersLook for: Goals. Brazil have been banging them inDon’t look for: tactics etched in stone. Things will happen when they doDark Horses: Gilberto Silva and Ze Roberto for Brazil, plugging holes and working in shadows. Henry for France: he has to have one great match in GermanyBattle plan: France will use Henry’s speed against Cafu; they are defensively strong but will need Makelele to patrol the midfieldKey players: Who else? Ronnie Junior and Zidane the Elder
