Germany look ever stronger candidates for a fourth European Championship success after rediscovering their traditional virtues in a 3-2 win over Portugal in yesterday's quarter-final.
Germany's patchy form in the group phase, when a 2-1 defeat by Croatia meant they had to fight for their lives to go through against co-hosts Austria, left the team and the country filled with self-doubt going into the Portugal game.
Those worries were dispelled in fine style against Portugal, as Germany showed they have a touch of steel to go with the adventurous style introduced by Juergen Klinsmann and nurtured by his successor as coach, Joachim Loew.
They were disciplined in defence, getting nine men behind the ball when Portugal were in possession, and scored three goals, shared between Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose and Michael Ballack, via one lightning break and two set-pieces.
"Against Portugal we had great structure, organisation and discipline," said Loew, who had to watch the match from the stands after picking up a one-match ban from UEFA.
"We had courage and good combinations going forward. All the things we did right in the past we got right tonight.
"We're going to do everything we can to reach the final."
Germany next face either Croatia or Turkey in the last four.
That means they could be given a chance to correct the mistakes made against the Croatians in the group phase.
"We'd love to show we have the right answer against Croatia," said assistant coach Hansi Flick, who did an impeccable job deputising for Loew on the bench.
"But we've already shown that Germany are a good tournament team, willing to fight to the last minute."
The last time Germany made it out of the group phase of the European Championship was in 1996, when they went on to win the competition for the third time.
After a convincing win over Portugal, there is a growing belief among the players that they could go all the way again.
"It was important against Portugal that we were courageous and we all worked for each other," said Klose.
"The team has really found itself. If we play to our potential there's nothing to stand in our way."