Loyalties put aside as Ballack faces Scolari

Germany only needed a point against Austria at Ernst Happel Stadium to progress from Group B but Ballack's 25-yard free-kick in the 49th minute gave them victory.

Ballack (right, celebrating his winner) was part of the Germany side who beat Scolari's Portugal 3-1 in the third place play-off at the last World Cup and he said: "From that point of view I look forward to winning against them again.

"I know several players from Portugal from Chelsea and other occasions, all of them are good individuals, they play well attacking and are great footballers. They also have Ronaldo, who has had a great season in England.

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

Ballack admitted a lack of respect from Austria was a motivating factor in knocking out the Euro 2008 co-hosts.

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

"A lot was said before the match," said Ballack. "The Austrians bit off more than they could chew. Listening to them it was like they had been world champions three times over."

There was controversy during the game, as Germany coach Joachim Low and Hickersberger were sent to the stands after rowing on the touchline with each other and the fourth official.

Low is expected to find out within the next 24 hours if he faces a touchline ban for the Portugal clash.

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."

Austria team manager Andreas Herzog felt referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez was trying to steal the limelight.

Herzog said: "We've never had a situation like this before, perhaps the referees would like to have a great deal of attention. 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 the referee wanted to get attention."

Austria would have reached the last eight had they won, and Herzog added: "Of course we are disappointed but life goes on."

Low's assistant, Hans-Dieter Flick, said both coaches were determined to remain on the touchline.

" Both of them simply wanted to keep coaching," he added. "Whatever happened had to do with the fact that things were becoming too chaotic and hectic.

"Both of the coaches tried to explain to the fourth official they wanted to continue coaching and then they were sent off."