Kick-Off: Wednesday, July 7, 20:30 CET.
Durban Stadium, Durban.
The average age of the Germany team that started against Argentina in the quarter-finals of the World Cup was only 25 and this says it all. For a team as young as Germany, indeed it is an achievement in itself to have reached as far as the semi-finals of the World Cup outside of Europe.Moreover, among the four remaining teams in South Africa, Germany have been by far the most impressive side and have also had the most difficult path to the semis. The group stage was relatively easy but England in the last 16 were a tough proposition and so were Argentina in the quarters. However, Die Mannschaft blew away both Fabio Capello's and Diego Armando Maradona's sides, scoring four against each of them. In fact, Germany have scored four goals in three different games in the World Cup so far - they started their campaign with a 4-0 hammering of Australia.
Germany's football too has been scintillating with players in every position clicking. The defence does look susceptible but with their midfielders Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger protecting the back four and also providing the impetus for attack, the 2006 World Cup semi-finalists have been hugely impressive in that area.
Two years ago Germany lost to Spain in the final of Euro 2008 and this time they will be up for revenge. Coach Joachim Loew has already thrown the gauntlet down to the European champions by saying that Germany are now on a par with Spain, and indeed given their performances so far, it would be hard to argue against that. But with key player Thomas Mueller suspensed for the game, it could be difficult for the Germans up front.
Spain came into the World Cup finals as one of the two outright favourites but so far they haven't really been on top of their game. Granted, since their opening game defeat to Switzerland, La Furia Roja have won every single match with striker David Villa emerging as one of the best three players of the competition, but Spain haven't really been very convincing.
Goals haven't come with ease and the midfield too has been bullied by defensive sides. Striker Fernando Torres has been woefully out of form and the defence has looked vulnerable on occasions. However, so far Spain have had to confront sides who would park the bus in front of their goal and against them Vicente del Bosque's side have struggled.
Germany will be a different proposition altogether and Spain can rest assured that they will not have to face a 'wall' at the back. But Germany will also conjure up a different type of threat altogether: a Khedira-Schweinsteiger combination in the holding role implies that Spain's only 'full-blooded defensive midfielder' Sergio Busquets could be bullied.
Yet the feeling that Spain are destined to reach the final cannot be overlooked. In Euro 2008 La Roja faced nemesis Italy in the quarter-finals and won on penalties. It was that win that thrust a sense of belief and self-conviction into them: Spain went on to win the European Championships and create history. This time too there is a sense of destiny: Spain did reach the last four in the 1950 World Cup group climax but this is the first time that they have reached the semi-final.
Furthermore, in 2008 Rafael Nadal won Wimbledon for the first time in his career whilst Spain won Euro 2008. Two years later Nadal has won Wimbledon again. This again, as some would suggest, is an omen.
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN
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