The Party Goes On As Germany Surge Into Quarters

Germany coach Jürgen Klinsmann said his players were singing and dancing after knocking out Sweden with two Lukas Podolski goals to reach the World Cup quarter-final on Saturday.

"The mood in the dressing room was brilliant. They were singing and dancing -- I am so proud of them," Klinsmann beamed after the win in Munich set up a meeting with Argentina next week.

"We played at a great tempo and were very decisive. We got the tactics right, especially in the midfield. I was delighted with the early lead," he added after striker Lukas Podolski struck twice in the opening 12 minutes to knock the stuffing out of the Swedes.

Swedish legend Henrik Larsson had the best chance to get his team back in the match but missed a penalty at the beginning of the second half to the disappointment of Swedish fans.

"Germany dreams on"

The Germans' strong attacking play and several close shots by star midfielder Michael Ballack in front of a packed 66,000-strong crowd in Munich on Saturday has increased optimism further and there is now a real belief that Klinsmann's team can go all the way and add to their World Cup crowns of 1954, 1974 and 1990.

The media and experts showered praise on the team.

"World champion-like," headlined the Bild daily, the country's best-selling newspaper. "Klinsi now against Maradona and co. We think you can send them packing."

"Two Times Poldi (Podolski): Germany Dreams On," the Bild am Sonntag wrote.

"The latest chapter in Germany's summer fairytale is complete," said Die Welt newspaper. "Klinsmann's team put up a thrilling display to reach the quarter-finals."

"I have never seen this team as strong as they were in the first half," German soccer legend and tournament co-organizer, Franz Beckenbauer told ZDF television. "They played really well and deserved to win and reach the quarter-final."

Even Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has been enthusiastically cheering on the team after her newly discovered passion for soccer, paid a glowing tribute to Klinsmann's team.

"My expectations were fulfilled many times over. This team believes in itself and it can achieve so much," Merkel said.

The players themselves seem overwhelmed by the ease with which they kicked out Sweden, who had earlier fought England tooth and nail to a draw in the group stage.

Germany captain Michael Ballack said his side was ready for anything.

"With such performances we don't need to hide from anyone," Ballack said. "We started well and found our game quickly and it was a sensational performance. In the first half we could hardly have played better."

The hero of the game, Lukas Podolski, who has scored three times in this tournament so far, was modest about his achievement.

"My goals were nice to get but it is the team that is winning, not me alone," Podolski said. "In preparing for this game we grew as a team. Everything is possible now; every game is a knockout situation."

Fans hit the streets

The victory plunged millions of German fans across the country into joy and jubilation. An estimated three million people were in the streets of Germany Saturday to watch the game, according to police.

In Berlin, at least 750,000 people crammed into a 2.5-kilometer-long area behind the historic Brandenburg Gate, to watch the match on giant TV screens in hot and sunny weather. The crowd erupted in celebrations after the win, turning the center of the capital into a sea of red, black and yellow flags. In Munich, 60,000 fans who could not get tickets for the game gathered at the city's Olympic Stadium to watch the action on big screens.

The victory marks Germany's fourth consecutive win at this World Cup, having earlier vanquished Costa Rica, Poland and Ecuador in the group stage.

"A great obstacle is approaching"

Germany now face favorites Argentina in the quarterfinals next Friday after the South American side struggled to defeat Mexico 2-1 after the game went into extra time on Saturday.

Klinsmann has admitted that knocking out Argentina won't be easy.

"We have tried to keep calm throughout, get the tactics right. Now the players believe we can do something. However, a great obstacle is now approaching," Klinsmann said in allusion to Argentina.

"We have no fear -- but instead, respect. We are absolutely capable of getting to the semi-finals. We have a blend of youngsters who are finding their feet and more experienced players such as Ballack and Bernd Schneider, who help and motivate them," Klinsmann said.

"There's a good feeling in the squad that something good is brewing."