Austria showed us a lack of respect so I punished them for it, blasts Ballack

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Michael Ballack admitted a lack of respect from Austria was a motivating factor in knocking out the Euro 2008 co-hosts and sealing a place in the quarter-finals
for Germany.

Ballack's head was superimposed on a naked body in one Austrian newspaper, with Josef Hickersberger's men urged to "rip their trousers off", with a ticket home for the Chelsea midfielder printed inside.

But Ballack responded with a free-kick at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium and knocked out Austria and set up a clash against Portugal in Basle on Thursday.

Payback: Germany's Michael Ballack is congratulated by his team-mate Arne Friedrich after scoring the winner.

"A lot was said before the match," Ballack said after the 1-0 win.

"The Austrians bit off more than they could chew. Listening to them it was like they had been world champions three times over."

Germany coach Joachim Low was sent to the stands just before half-time - along with Austria counterpart Hickersberger - and will find out today if he will serve a touchline ban against Portugal.

William Gaillard, UEFA director of communications, said: "The referee will write a report to the control and disciplinary body and it will be up to them if any sanctions will be applied."

After his 49th-minute winner, Ballack will now face his new Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, who fulfils his duties with Portugal before starting work at Stamford Bridge.

Ballack said: "We played against them in the World Cup and I'm looking forward to winning against them again.

"It will be a difficult game but both teams are capable of going far, they are probably favourites but that may favour our game."

Austria team manager Andreas Herzog felt referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez was trying to steal the limelight in sending off both coaches.

Herzog said: "It was a normal match but the second half was not easy because of the unrest of the coaches being gone.

"It was an exaggeration, neither did anything and I think the referee wanted to get attention."