Of all the 10 quarter-finals they have played in the showcase tournament, the one Germany remember most fondly as they prepare to extend a rich tradition by facing the United States in the last eight on Friday took place 32 years ago in the heat of Leon, Mexico.

Four years after losing to England in the famous Wembley final of the 1966 World Cup, Germany found themselves 2-0 down against the same opponents.

But Franz Beckenbauer restored hoped after a brilliant solo run and Uwe Seeler then equalised in unorthodox fashion, scoring with the back of his head, before Gerd Mueller fired home in extra time for a 3-2 victory.

There was more drama for the Germans in the last eight of the second World Cup in Mexico, in 1986, this time against the host nation.

Thomas Berthold lost his nerve and slapped a Mexican player, becoming the first German to be sent off from a World Cup match since Erich Juskowiak in 1958.

The game remained goalless and came down to penalties, with Toni Schumacher making two saves in the shoot-out to send Germany through.

Four years later in Italy, coach Franz Beckenbauer, who had captained the side to their second world title in 1974, was so furious after a sluggish performance for a 1-0 victory over Czechoslovakia in the quarter-finals that he broke the locker room's door with a raging kick.

TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES

That did not stop the 'Kaiser' from celebrating a few days later after Germany's 1-0 victory over Argentina in the Rome final.

Then came the Berti Vogts days and more traumatic quarter-final experiences.

After the defending champions suffered a shock 2-1 quarter-final defeat to Bulgaria in the 1994 finals in the United States, Vogts braved heavy criticism from the media and carried on with the job.

Germany had won Euro 1996 with him in charge when they entered the 1998 tournament in France as one of the favourites.

But the quarter-finals proved fatal again. Germany seemed in control against Croatia until defender Christian Woerns received his marching orders.

They collapsed after that, losing 3-0 to enter their deepest crisis which they now appear to be emerging from.

Vogts stepped down in the wake of that defeat and was replaced with Erich Ribbeck, who resigned after Germany's first round exit from Euro 2000.

Rudi Voeller then embarked on a mission to restore Germany's pride which will be rated as a success if his men can escape a hat-trick of quarter-final defeats against the United States of Friday.