A wonderful free-kick from Michael Ballack gave Germany a 1-0 win over Austria and a passage into the Euro 2008 quarter-finals.

The Germans qualify as runners-up from Group B and will face Group A winners Portugal in Basel on Friday for a place in the last four.

Chelsea midfielder Ballack produced the game's only moment of real class, firing home the tournament's first goal scored directly from a free-kick just after half-time to put give his side a lead they never looked likely to lose as the co-hosts made their exit.

Germany wasted a wonderful opportunity to take the lead as Mario Gomez produced a strong contender for miss-of-the-tournament with only five minutes on the clock. Miroslav Klose teased the Austrians down the right before sliding the ball across the face of goal, giving Gomez an open goal from three yards. Inexplicably however, the Stuttgart striker, who has scored 28 goals this season, contrived to slice the ball in the air, giving Gyorgy Garics the opportunity to get back on the line and clear the danger.

Gomez, keen to atone for his miss, shot straight at Jurgen Macho from the left corner of the box two minutes later as Germany started much the brighter side.

Lucas Podolski's 25-yard drive forced Macho into a diving parry mid-way through the first period, but the hosts began to impose themselves on the game as the half wore on.

Austria's best opportunity came 10 minutes before the break. Umit Korkmaz drove the ball back from the touchline but Christian Fuchs failed to control his header as the ball flew harmlessly over Jens Lehmann's crossbar.

Referee Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez made his presence felt with only five minutes to go before half-time, sending Austria coach Josef Hickersberger and German counterpart Joachim Low to the stands, harshly it seemed, after a dispute on the touchline.

The second period was only four minutes old when Ballack smashed Germany in front. Philip Lahm was cynically brought down 25 yards from goal by Andreas Ivanschitz, who was rightly booked for the offence. The German captain stepped up and blasted the free-kick past the wall and into the far top corner, giving Macho absolutely no chance.

Lahm moments later embarked upon another jinking run from his left back spot, this time pulling his 20-yard effort wide of the near post as the German's looked to give themselves breathing space.

Austria again improved as the half progressed but Lehmann remained untroubled in the Germany goal. His opposite number had to be quick off his line to make a fine save at the feet of Klose before reacting quickly to make a block from the resulting corner which skimmed off the head of his own defender stationed at the near post.

Lahm made a fine last-ditch challenge to deny Ivanschitz a path to goal moments before Hoffer lashed wide from inside the German box as Lehmann continued to enjoy a quiet evening.

Macho denied Klose again, parrying the Bayern Munich striker's effort from inside the box before Torsten Frings lashed just wide from outside the box in injury time.

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