Luiz Felipe Scolari is not short of confidence, as Roman Abramovich discovered on his yacht last month. On the eve of what could be his last match as coach of Portugal, Scolari named his team for this evening’s quarter-final against Germany in Basle, pleaded with Uefa to allow Joachim Löw, his opposite number, to take his place on the bench despite his suspension and declared that he expects to remain in the same hotel until after the semi-finals next week. Such bravado could come in handy next month when he takes over as Chelsea manager, given that he will enter the nest of vipers that is Stamford Bridge.

Nuno Gomes and Simão described today’s contest as the biggest game of their careers, but Scolari is convinced that more important matches lie in wait. “I don’t expect it to be my last game,” he said. “Everything we’ve done has been with one goal in mind. We have defined objectives. We’re booked into the hotel until the 25th and we hope to carry on with the planning we’ve had since we left Portugal. We hope to beat Germany with effort, dedication and friendship. Probably, they will give even more than before. I could make changes, but won’t.”

Scolari summoned up the spirit of the great Portuguese explorers, such as Vasco da Gama, in an attempt to inspire his players.

“Germany always gave us examples to overcome, but we can give Germany and the world examples of overcoming, in terms of the Discoverers,” he said. “That is an example of Portugal. We were there with the Discoverers and it is how we will be now. It will be an interesting game, but I trust my team and think we’re going to go through.”

Löw was banned from the touchline after his sending-off in Germany’s 1-0 win over Austria on Monday, with Scolari’s appeal falling on deaf ears. Torsten Frings, the Werder Bremen midfield player, will have a fitness test on a broken rib, with Bastian Schweinsteiger, the Bayern Munich midfield player, returning from suspension for his first start of the tournament.

“The Portuguese will be a more attacking side than Austria and therefore it will be easier for us to play our game,” Löw said. “It means our counter-attacking and combinations will have more chance of succeeding than they did against Croatia or Austria. This time we are not the favourites. I see the chances as 50-50.”

Portugal (4-2-3-1): Ricardo — J Bosingwa, Pepe, R Carvalho, P Ferreira — Petit, João Moutinho — C Ronaldo, Deco, Simão — N Gomes.

Germany (possible; 4-4-2): J Lehmann — A Friedrich, P Mertesacker, C Metzelder, P Lahm — C Fritz, M Ballack, B Schweinsteiger, L Podolski — M Gómez, M Klose.

Referee: P Fröjdfeldt (Sweden).

Television: Live on ITV1 from 7.30pm (kick-off 7.45pm).