Miroslav Klose expects semi-final start

Germany striker Miroslav Klose has said that he expects to be starting his country's semi-final meeting with Italy.

Manager Joachim Low has a dilemma as to who will lead the line between the tournament's joint-top scorer Mario Gomez or Klose, who scored in the Germans' last-eight win over Greece.

The Lazio striker thinks that he will start the match and has admitted that despite playing his club football in Italy, he hasn't been given any inside information to his nation's coaches.

"I am assuming that I will play," Klose said.

"That's what I am preparing for in any case. But we are lucky to have two top strikers. We'll wait and see which one the coach will pick.

"I don't need to give the coach any tips. Our scouts have watched Italy many times, the coach knows what to do."

Germany meet Italy in the last four of Euro 2012 on Thursday, with the winner of the clash facing Spain in the final on Sunday.