Team news for today's quarter-finals

Saturday 22 June 1996 23:02 BST
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Louise Thomas

Louise Thomas

Editor

Germany v Croatia

Old Trafford, 3pm: Mehmet Scholl is likely to make his Euro 96 debut for Germany, in the match that will decide England's semi-final opponents, in place of out-of-form Thomas Hassler. Key defender Thomas Helmer, who has been struggling with a swollen knee, undergoes a fitness test this morning. Borussia Dortmund's Steffen Freund is on stand by to replace Helmer, and would join Markus Babbel, who returns after being suspended against Italy, in man-to-man marking roles at the back. Croatia fielded a virtual second XI in their final group match against Portugal and have only one injury problem. Midfielder Robert Prosinecki has a calf muscle strain.

Portugal v Czech Republic

Villa Park, 6.30pm: Portugal expect to be at full strength, with defender Paulinho Santos unable to win back his place, after his one-match suspension, from Porto club-mate Carlos Secretario. Pavel Nedved, who scored the Czechs' opening goal in the 2-1 victory against Italy, is suspended after collecting two yellow cards and coach Dusan Uhrin may be tempted to start the game with Vladimir Smicer, whose late goal against the Russians got his team into the last eight. He will also consider playing Miroslav Kadlec, back after a one-game suspension, as a sweeper with Vaclav Nemecek, usually a midfielder, dropping back into a defensive role.

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