BORDEAUX, France -- Germany is facing Italy in a European Championship quarterfinal in Bordeaux on Saturday. Here are five Germany players to watch:---TONI KROOSThe driving force in Germanys midfield, Kroos keeps the team pushing forward and dictates the pace of play.Already an integral part of the World Cup-winning side in Brazil in 2014, Kroos importance to Germany has arguably grown since his move from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid two years ago.The 26-year-old has developed into a complete midfielder. He tracks back well and passes with precision.Kroos has made 444 passes so far at Euro 2016 -- more than any other player -- and has a passing accuracy of 92.34 percent, according to the Opta statistics service.He controls the tempo for us, plays very clever passes, and has taken responsibility in difficult situations, defender Jerome Boateng said of Kroos at the teams tournament base at Evian-les-Bains. Hes become more dangerous shooting on goal and we hope it continues like that.---JEROME BOATENGQuiet and softly spoken, Boateng likes to lead by example.Its a role that he has grown into for Germany and his club side Bayern Munich.Boateng anchors the German defense expertly -- its no coincidence the side is the only one yet to concede a goal in the tournament -- while building attacks from deep.After scoring his first goal for Germany in the 3-0 win over Slovakia in the round of 16, Boateng will be encouraged to roam forward.Intelligent, precise and calm, Boateng has a keen eye for the runs of teammates, and he has a pass to match.---THOMAS MUELLERMueller has a curious relationship with the European Championship.In nine games over two tournaments he is yet to find the net for Germany, a statistic that contrasts his goal scoring feats at the World Cup, where he has scored 10 goals in 13 games over two events.Its not as if Mueller hasnt had any opportunities. At Euro 2016, hes missed a series of chances particularly in the games against Northern Ireland and Slovakia. So far in the tournament, Mueller has had 17 shots at goal.Mueller arrived in France following his best season yet for Bayern Munich, scoring 32 goals and setting up 12 others, helping the side to a Bundesliga and German Cup double.As soon as a forward has chances its a good sign, Germany coach Joachim Loew said before the Slovakia game.---MARIO GOMEZGomez has had to overcome a lot to stake his claim for a place in Germanys squad, never mind the starting 11.Gomez missed Germanys World Cup win in 2014 when he was left out of the squad after an injury-blighted season. After impressing for Besiktas in Turkey, he was recalled to the German side in November.He has started Germanys last two games at Euro 2016, scoring in both and earning praise from Loew for creating space for the other attackers.The only thing that counts here for me is that we become European champions, Gomez said this week.---MANUEL NEUERNeuer is considered by many to be the best goalkeeper in the world, though hell be facing some competition in Italian veteran Gianluigi Buffon at the other end.Neither goalkeeper has conceded a goal yet at the tournament, as Buffon was rested for Italys 1-0 defeat to Ireland in the group stage.Neuer has needed to be at his best at times in Euro 2016, particularly in the opening game against Ukraine and then again against Slovakia when he denied Juraj Kucka an equalizer before the break.To be fair, he hasnt had much to do, but when hes been called into action he almost always delivers. Lapses in concentration from inactivity appear a thing of the past.Over the last four or five years he has shown that he is an outstanding goalkeeper in every area, Buffon said of Neuer on Friday. Cheap Chiefs Jerseys Authentic . Dusautoir, the former World Player of the Year, sustained a torn bicep playing for Toulouse in the Heineken Cup on Saturday. The flanker, who has played 65 times for France, is expected to be out for up to four months. Christian Okoye Jersey . The catch: It needs a lot of money, and it needs it fast. http://www.cheapchiefsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-larry-johnson-jersey . But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. "Id love to look at those opportunities as they arise," Pierce said in an interview from his Winnipeg eatery. Cheap Kansas City Chiefs Jerseys . Jeff Green scored 13 points and Kris Humphries 12 for the Celtics, who nearly blew an 18-point, second-half lead. Sullingers 20-20 was the first by a Celtics player since Kevin Garnetts first game in Boston in 2007. Garnett was dealt -- along with Paul Pierce -- to Brooklyn during the off-season. Joe Montana Jersey . Thats about all he can do right now, so hes trying not to think about when he might be able to play again for the Los Angeles Lakers. Pro Bowl return man Devin Hester has agreed to a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens and will sign with the team Sunday, a league source told ESPNs Adam Schefter.Hester had worked out for the Ravens for a second straight day on Saturday.Hester underwent surgery on his right big toe in January, and the expected recovery time was three to six months. The four-time Pro Bowl returner broke one of the two sesamoid bones, which act as a pulley for tendons.The Ravens were disappointed with how their returners have fared this summer. Michael Campanaro was the presumed leader in thhe competition, but he struggled to stay healthy and was placed on injured reserve.dddddddddddd Keenan Reynolds, who played quarterback at Navy, has had trouble fielding kicks and was released Saturday.Hester, 33, was released by the Atlanta Falcons on July 26. He holds the NFL records for punt return touchdowns (14) and return (punt and kickoff combined) touchdowns (20).Information from ESPN Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley was used in this report. ' ' '
