The World Cup Semi-Finals: Don’t Miss A Trick!

In early June, 32 nations set off on a mission to win the first World Cup on African soil. 60 matches later and only four teams remain. Rising above the drone of the vuvuzelas, the refereeing injustice and the most controversial round ball in the solar system, Uruguay, Netherlands, Spain and Germany must hold their nerve once more before reaching Soccer City on Sunday.

A few tips on what to look out for in the semi-finals…

Tuesday, July 6, 2010 – Uruguay v Netherlands

History: Cape Town hosts an intriguing encounter as the first-ever winners of the World Cup face the nation generally considered the best to have never won it. There aren’t many people who can still remember the Golden Age of Uruguayan football, and in recent times Uruguay have only qualified for two of the last 5 tournaments. But under coach Oscar Tabarez, La Celeste have been transformed, playing the kind of football that won the country World Cup titles  in 1930 and 1950. The biggest problem for the Dutch, who have failed to qualify for the competition three times since losing both the 1974 and 1978 World Cup Finals, tends to be the Dutch themselves. Under coach Bert van Marwijk, the Netherlands have uncharacteristically kept their toys in the pram this World Cup. Playing a style of attacking football that has had pundits and opposition fans purring, the Netherlands dispatched with Brazil in style and look odds on to take another South American scalp.

One to watch: With Luis Suarez serving time for his handball antics at the end of the Ghana match, we’re popping for Suarez‘s strike partner Diego Forlan Uruguay’s man of the moment. The former Manchester United striker has transformed his game since moving away from Old Trafford. Forlan‘s pace, eye for goal and creative instinct stand between the Dutch and a date with destiny.

Prediction: Netherlands

The Netherlands must keep a Forlan in full flow at bay

Wednesday, July 7, 2010 – Germany v Spain

History: Another scintillating fixture pits three time World Champions Germany against current European Champions and World Cup trophy-less Spain. Perennial losers in the world’s greatest sporting competition, Spain are through to their first ever World Cup semi-final. Despite reaching the last four, Spain have failed to find their feet in South Africa, narrowly beating opposition of much lesser ilk. Victory in the Euro 2008 final was Spain‘s second win over the Germans in eight competitive games. But the Germans aren’t half bad either. Written off before the tournament even started Joachim Low‘s side have consistently churned out World Champion performances on their way to the semis. 4-0 v Australia. 4-1 v England. 4-0 v Argentina. While the absence of captain Michael Ballack has arguably released the likes of Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger from their metaphorical shackles, it is the new breed of Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer who have propelled Germany to within two matches of their country’s fourth World Cup triumph.

One to watch: Thomas Muller will be agonisingly watching this one from the bench as the Bayern Munich man picked up his second yellow card against Argentina. In his absence, Miroslav Klose could surpass Brazil‘s Ronaldo as the World Cup‘s all-time leading goalscorer – the German hitman is only two goals shy of re-writing history.

Prediction: Germany