Portuguese hold the edge against Germans in QF

“We have good players, who play in top clubs and top competitions,” defender Pepe said. “But our biggest strength is team spirit, determination and the way we face the matches. That’s what makes the difference.”

“It’s good to have Cristiano on our side,” midfielder Armando Petit said. “But we have other players who can help us, too.”

Portugal practiced on Tuesday afternoon at its base in the lakeside city of Neuchatel.

Portugal coach Luis Felipe Scolari rested eight first-choice players in Portugal’s 2-0 loss to Switzerland in the team’s last group match on Sunday, but they are set to return against Germany in Basel.

“Everyone adds value to the team,” said Pepe, who was one of the three regular players who started against the Swiss, along with goalkeeper Ricardo and left back Paulo Ferreira. “We were unlucky because we had chances but couldn’t score. But what matters is that on Thursday, everyone will be ready to give their best.”

Pepe, Ronaldo and Deco were the stars for Portugal in the first two games. Pepe scored in the 2-0 opening win over Turkey, while Ronaldo and Deco had a goal each in the 3-1 victory against the Czech Republic.

Ronaldo also set up a goal against the Turks and another against the Czechs, when he won the man-of-the-match award. “It’s what I always try to do, help the team,” Ronaldo said.

“Sometimes I’ll try to hold on to the ball more, and other times I’ll pass it. I’ve been playing well and the team is too.” At the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Portugal lost the third-place game to the Germans. The teams have twice met at the European Championship: Portugal drawing 0-0 with West Germany 0-0 in the first round in 1984; and routing Germany 3-0 in the group stage in 2000, when the Portuguese had already secured a quarterfinal berth and also rested its first-choice players.

“We know the important of this match,” Pepe said. “It’s going to be decided on details and we have to be ready to overcome the difficulties that will arise.”