What a career Miroslav Klose has had. Pretty average at club level - but dynamite on the world stage. Not only is he within a predatory tap-in of becoming the World Cup's outright leading goalscorer, today he makes his 22nd finals appearance - putting him behind only compatriot Lothar Matthaus (25) and Italy's Paolo Maldini (23). Impressive stuff.

David Ornstein
BBC Sport

"News of the Germany starting line-up has been greeted with widespread surprise among journalists here at the Maracana. I asked the German football expert Raphael Honigstein if he was confident of victory and he replied: 'Not so much after seeing that team selection'.

"We knew Mats Hummels would return to the defence after a bout of illness, but we did not expect him to come in at the expense of Per Mertesacker.

"Unless the Arsenal centre-back is unwell, it would appear he has been dropped to ensure Germany are better equipped to deal with the pace of France.

"Captain Philip Lahm's move from central midfield to right-back had been rumoured, but most Germany journalists did not expect it to actually happen.

"Mario Gotze was expected to miss out after being hauled off at half-time in the last-16 win, but it was thought Andre Schurrle would come in. Instead, 36-year-old Miroslav Klose is given his first start of the tournament as the lone striker as Thomas Muller drops back in a 4-2-3-1 formation."

Shane Long:, external Football doesn't get bigger than this. World Cup quarter-finals between #FRAvsGER and #BRAvsCOL. Cannot wait.

Mayedul:, external You expect Germany to win knowing them in major tournaments. But I'm liking France's game play at this WC.

Thomas Goodchild:, external German squad hit by flu there then. Boateng is not cut out for playing in the centre.

How have we got through half an hour of this live text commentary without a call to arms to the people who make this tick - you. Shocking. We want to hear your thoughts about whatever World Cup-related topic is occupying your mind.

Will the France punish the Germans where Algeria couldn't? Or will the Germans power through to the last four once again? Don't be afraid to tell us your predictions for winners and top scorer either. I'm going France and Benzema.

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Two changes for France as coach Didier Deschamps plots the downfall of the Germans. Real Sociedad attacking midfielder Antoine Griezmann replaces Olivier Giroud for France, while defender Mamadou Sakho starts alongside Raphael Varane at the back.

Miroslav Klose starts ahead of Mario Gotze as Germany boss Joachim Low makes three changes from the side which beat Algeria after extra time in the last 16.

Striker Klose can break the all-time World Cup goalscoring record if he finds the net today. He is currently on 15 goals, level with Brazil great Ronaldo. Defender Mats Hummels starts in place of Per Mertesacker, while midfielder Sami Khedira comes in for right-back Shkodran Mustafi. Skipper Philipp Lahm should revert to full-back.

Image source, @johnbenettbbc

BBC World sports reporter John Bennett on Twitter:, external "The Germany fans are confident. And why shouldn't they be? Germany could reach the semi-finals for the fourth successive World Cup."

Image source, @johnbennettbbc

Think of France against Germany on the football field and one notorious incident immediately springs to mind.

Image source, Getty Images

The 1982 World Cup semi-final between the pair was described by France great Michel Platini as "my most beautiful game" - but instead it is remembered for one of the most controversial moments in the tournament's history.

West Germany goalkeeper Harald Schumacher raced out of his goal before recklessly shoulder-charging France substitute Patrick Battiston. The Frenchman left the field on oxygen with three cracked ribs, two missing teeth and a damaged vertebrae in what became known as the 'Tragedy of Seville'.

Image source, Getty Images

Schumacher was not even booked and went on to save two penalties in the shoot-out - putting the Germans into the final. France went home with insult added to injury.

As well as reading along here, don't forget you can watch live coverage of this Franco-German clash, with build-up beginning at 16:30 BST.

Or if you can't get near a TV or are on the move, you can watch a live stream of the match using the live coverage tab at the top of this page. You can also listen to full match commentary on BBC Radio 5 live, with coverage beginning at 16:30 BST.

And don't forget, if you do decide to watch online, you can choose from multiple camera angles, including tactical cam and player cam.

Basically you're not going to miss a kick. Here's how to follow the World Cup across BBC TV, radio and online.

Germany boss Joachim Low names a strong starting XI, despite illness striking his squad in the build-up. Seven unnamed players have been suffering from illness, but Mats Hummels returns after missing Monday's quarter-final against Algeria.

"Some of them still have a bit of a cold, but it hasn't been the case that they have had any feeling of tiredness," said Low on Thursday. "I hope they all remain stable and that we don't see any deterioration."

France starting XI: Lloris (c), Debuchy, Evra, Varane, Sakho, Cabaye, Valbuena, Benzema, Griezmann, Matuidi, Pogba.

Germany starting XI: Neuer, Howedes, Hummels, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Klose, Muller, Lahm (c), Kroos, Boateng.

David Ornstein
BBC Sport at the Maracana

Image source, @bbcsportdavid

"Great atmosphere outside the Maracana. France fans singing 'Allez Les Blues', the German reply: 'Adieu Les Blues'."

While boxing analogies can slip into the world of football far too often, this match really does see two European heavyweights go toe-to-toe.

Away from the football pitch, France and Germany are the two powerhouse nations which form the heart of the European Union.

And they are formidable forces in the beautiful game too. Both are usually ranked among the tournament favourites and both carry the burden of expectation from their huge populations.

Germany coach Joachim Low says that "France versus Germany has always been a classic". But is it going to be 'Rocky I' classic, or 'Rocky V' classic? Let's hope for the former.

Image source, Getty Images

*Adopts voice of legendary boxing announcer Michael Buffer*

Ladies and gentleman from across the world. Brought to you by governing body Fifa, welcome to the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup.

In the blue corner, weighing in with the expectation of 66m people on their shoulders, with three wins and a draw from their four matches, it is the one-time champions of the world... France.

In the white corner, contesting a last-eight tie for the 16th straight World Cup, with an identical record of three wins and a draw, welcome to the three-time champions of the world.... Germany.

Football fans are you ready? L-l-l-l-let's get ready to rumbl-l-l-l-le!

Germany defender Shkodran Mustafi has been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup with a thigh injury.

Coach Joachim Low has said that seven members of his squad are suffering from flu symptoms but they should all be available for selection.

France coach Didier Deschamps may select Antoine Griezmann in place of Olivier Giroud, meaning Karim Benzema would play as a central striker.

Defender Mamadou Sakho has recovered from injury.