VIENNA, Austria — Germany captain Michael Ballack scored on a wicked second-half free kick today for a 1-0 win over Austria and a place in the quarterfinals of the European Championship.

In a game marked by the ejection of both coaches before halftime, Ballack sent in a 25-yard shot in the 49th minute to advance Germany and end the hopes of its smaller neighbor.

Germany finished Group B as runner-up to Croatia and will face 2004 runner-up Portugal in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Having been irked by several decisions against his team, including a yellow card to striker Erwin Hoffer for a late but minor challenge on Ballack, Austria's Josef Hickersberger was the first coach expelled, in the 41st minute. Germany's Joachim Loew then stood toe-to-toe with a UEFA official before being sent from the field as well.

The coaches shook hands before trudging away, with whistles and jeers echoing around the stadium from bemused fans. But the jeers, at least those of the German fans, soon turned to cheers.

Ballack had often dropped deep to help the defense rather than lead from the front as he did so convincingly at Chelsea last season. But a foul by Andreas Ivanschitz gave Germany a free kick and Ballack rocketed it into the top corner, far beyond goalkeeper Juergen Macho's reach.

Needing victory to edge its rival for a place in the next round, Austria created several chances in front of a sold-out crowd of 51,428 at Ernst Happel Stadium, but — as in its 1-0 loss to Croatia and 1-1 draw with Poland — could not convert them.

The lack of a world-class player to finish off moves was the main reason a spirited and energetic team failed to make it to the next round.