Semifinal #2 - Germany v. Spain

Welcome to the second semifinal between Germany and Spain. The winner will meet the Netherlands in the final on Sunday afternoon in North America, and I could not be more excited for this match. As always the breakdown is listed below and I will also be hosting a live chat during the game, so tell you friends, family and colleagues to join in.

Germany

Minimize The Loss Of Thomas Muller

High Defensive Pressure

Exploit Spain's Wingbacks & Their Attacking Forays

Locate David Villa

Spain

Control Tempo & Possession

Man Mark Bastien Schweinsteiger

Attack Phillip Lahm

Do Not Concede The Early Goal

According to many betting websites the Spanish are the slight favorites in this match, but both teams are very evenly matched and we all hope that a fairly entertaining and attacking game of football is on tap. With the victory by the Dutch we are assured of the first European World Cup winner outside of Europe, quite shocking considering that a couple days ago we were discussing the rise of South America and the demise of Europe, but here we are. Let's take a look at the key match-ups for this semifinal.

Key Match-Ups

Miroslav Klose - Carles Puyol

Miroslav Klose is one goal away from tying the great Ronaldo for the most goals ever at the World Cup, absolutely outstanding considering Klose did not get off the bench for his club team Bayern Munich during this past season. Klose is a pure striker, getting into the right position in the box and burying his chance. Usually he scores the majority of his goals with his head, but lately he has found the range with his feet.

Puyol is the heart of Spain's defense, and the guitarist for a 1980s rockband is all about heart and passion. He is a strong tackler that is liable for a mistake or two during the course of the game. If Puyol can contain Klose, Spain should win the game, however if Klose pots a goal, good night Espana!

Bastian Schweinsteiger - Xavi

This is the match-up that will shape the middle of the park for the semifinal between Germany and Spain. Schweinsteiger has usually played on the wing for Germany, but because of the injury to captain Michael Ballack he is now operating in the middle and has been the key engine for the German attack. He has played phenomenally so far and his assist on the third goal for Germany against Argentina was pure class.

Xavi, it has been argued, is more valuable to Barcelona than Lionel Messi. I might not agree with that sentiment, but he is as valuable in my opinion as Lionel Messi. Xavi controls everything for the Spanish and their attack and is the key fulcrum for their pass and move style of play. If Xavi can connect on a couple through balls to David Villa or Pedro then watch-out as we will have a Spain - Netherlands final.

Phillip Lahm - David Villa

Here we have a match-up between the German right and the Spanish left should Lahm and Villa remain in the positions they have played for the duration of this tournament. Lahm has enjoyed a remarkable season at club and now country level. With Bayern Munich he was one of the outstanding factors that led them to the Champions League final as well as domestic glory, and now he has transferred his reliable defending and swashbuckling attacking onto the international setup.

On the other hand, Villa has unquestionably been la Furia Roja’s outstanding offensive force since Euro 2008. Having been pushed somewhat into the shade in that competition, he has since fired on all cylinders for the national side, scoring a truly breathtaking 25 in his last 31 internationals. What a match-up!

Fearless Prediction

I have gone back and forth on this match-up and really I have no idea which team is going to win, so I am going with a statistic that I quoted earlier in my posts, that Germany or Brazil have been in 11 of the 13 previous World Cup finals. Germany gets revenge for their loss in the Euro 2008 final, so I am going with Germany to win 3-2 in extra time.

Germany - Spain (3-2)

OVERALL RECORD

34-27

Semifinals #1 - Uruguay v. Netherlands - Preview

Welcome to the semifinals, as the final four teams, Uruguay, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain are left standing after their quarterfinal games. Let's look at each match-up in more detail and analyze some of the keys to the game:

Uruguay

Defensive Organization

Forlan's Freekicks

Discipline & Patience

Netherlands

Control Tempo & Possession

Limit Opposing Freekicks

Mentally Strong

The Dutch are the favorites for this match-up and need to ensure that after their stunning victory over Brazil in the quarterfinals that they maintain their mental focus against Uruguay. This is a big opportunity for the Dutch to reach the final of the World Cup since 1978, while Uruguay, although having won the first two World Cups, are in unfamiliar territory as well, having last tasted any sort of success at a World Cup in 1970 when they reached the semifinal.

Key Match-Ups

Diego Forlan - John Heitinga

Diego Forlan has had an excellent World Cup so far, and excelled against Ghana in the quarterfinal scoring a wonderful freekick to tie the game and also converting his penalty kick. With the absence of Luis Suarez and the new 'Hand of God,' Forlan will be the key fulcrum in the Uruguay attack. Forlan can attack either through the middle or out wide. With Suarez suspended I would expect to see Forlan attack through the middle using Cavani as his primary attacking winger. John Heitinga, from Everton, is having an outstanding tournament for the Oranje, and after shackling Luis Fabiano, will look to contain Diego Forlan as well. With the injury doubt to his central partner Mathijsen, Heitinga will be asked to carry the burden of dealing with Uruguay's attacking players.

Diego Perez - Mark van Bommel

Diego Perez and Mark van Bommel are both the key defensive midfielders for their respective sides. With Nigel de Jong suspended, the defensive challenge will rest on the shoulders of Bayern Munich player van Bommel. With de Jong's absence there is a chance that Perez, from the French club Monaco, will be able to control the center of the park. Van Bommel, on the other hand, will try to win possession for the Dutch and feed Sneijder and Robben on the wings. This is a key match-up for the game, because whoever can control the middle of the park will be able to claim the victory.

Uruguay LB - Arjen Robben

With Jorge Fucile suspended, Uruguay will find it very difficult to control Arjen Robben on the wing. Fucile has played ever minute of the World Cup, and I am still unsure who will cover for him in this game. There is talk that youngster and Juventus player Martin Caceres might deputize, however Caceres is an attacking fullback and has yet to master the defensive aspects of playing the fullback position. Robben will need to take advantage of this situation and not waste scoring opportunities as he did against Brazil. However, in the second half of that game Robben was a key figure, winning freekicks which eventually led to the dismissal of Felipe Melo.

Fearless Prediction

At the end of the day I believe that the Dutch are too strong for Uruguay who are missing arguably their best defender in Fucile and a key goalscorer in Suarez. Regardless Uruguay will defend admirably, yet I expect the Dutch to score two goals, one in each half to reach their first World Cup final since 1978.

Uruguay - Netherlands (0-2)

OVERALL RECORD

33-27