By Kenneth Tan/Red Sports

So it will be an all-European final on July 11 after Uruguay, the sole South American representative left in the World Cup, had their fairytale run ended 3-2 by Holland yesterday in the first semi-final.

Tonight, Germany will take on Spain in a titanic clash to decide who joins the Oranje in the final. It will be a rematch of the Euro 2008 final where the Spaniards edged past the Germans 1-0. Germany are three-time winners (in 1954, 1974 and 1990) while Spain have never lifted the Cup before.

Kenneth Says: 1-1 Draw, Spain win on penalties
After days of consideration, I have decided I’m not going against Paul the Octopus after all.

Yes, Germany is the most impressive team in the tournament with 4-goal victories over Australia, England and Argentina. Their brand of one-touch attacking football is the most pleasing to the eyes but they will take on their strongest opponent to date in the reigning European champions.

Spain are heavily reliant on David Villa with his five goals and one assist out of six Spanish goals so far in this tournament but I believe they have the quality to at least hold the Germans to a draw.

The midfield battle between Germany’s Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger and Spain’s Xavi Hernandez and Xabi Alonso will be an intriguing one.

The match could go down to the dreaded penalty shootout where the Spaniards could have the edge over the young, inexperienced Germans.

Les Says: Spain to win 2-1
While Germany are the neutral’s favourite team now and folks think they can score at will, they face a far stronger side in Spain than England or Argentina. You could even say England and Argentina made them look good because the Spanish will not be so generous at the back. Vicente Del Bosque’s men have scrapped through without playing well and seem to have fortune on their side.

If Spain score first, they will probably sit back, play keep ball and absorb the German attack. It will be interesting to see how the Germans react if they go behind because the last time they conceded first, they lost 1-0 to Serbia.

Erwin Says: Germany to win 2-1
So Paul the octopus picked Spain to win. If he’s correct, then he will end up on someone’s plate as sashimi because he jinxed the German team to lose.

If Paul’s wrong, Germany advance to the final, but it will still be the end of the road for dear Paul, simply because he has outlived his usefulness in predicting World Cup outcomes, and will now move on to his next purpose (as a Takoyaki ball).

Fortunately there is still a football game to be played between two very good teams that would make a great World Cup final in itself. Spain will not want to concede first and early. Germany have already scored four times in the first 30 minutes – one more than the entire England team have managed in their sorry campaign.

Miroslav Klose is two goals away from the all-time goalscoring record in the World Cup, and is himself within touching distance of the contenders for the Golden Shoe award, but those are probably the last things on his mind. The players are surely not about to abandon the team-first concept that the squad has displayed so excellently so far.

Spain have to drop a woefully off-form Fernando Torres to have any chance of winning this tie. I fear they will not, on both counts.

Here’s an interesting statistic: Since 1982 when France and West Germany played out a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes in the semi-final, extra-time has been played in every other World Cup at this stage.

There were extra periods in the 1982, 1990, 1998 and 2006 semi-finals, and none in 1986, 1994, 2002. Based on this trend, we should be tucked back into bed before 4.30am tomorrow morning.

More News and Build-up
Franz Beckenbauer: Germany must keep Joachim Löw
Joachim Löw: Spain have several Lionel Messis
Paul the psychic octopus predicts Germany loss
Joachim Low forced to don lucky blue sweater
Past Germany-Spain Clashes
Miroslav Klose salutes new German heroes
Andres Iniesta: Euro 2008 victory won’t help us
Spanish Players Teasing Bastian Schweinsteiger after Euro 08 victory
Previous Encounter in Euro 2008 Final: Spain 1-0 Germany

2010 FIFA World Cup Semi-Final and Final Fixtures

SGP DATE/DAYSGP TIMECOUNTRY ACOUNTRY B
Semi-Finals
Jul 7, Wed2.30amUruguay 2Holland 3
Jul 8, Thu2.30amGermany 0Spain 1
3rd and 4th placing
Jul 11, Sun2.30amUruguay 2Germany 3
Final
Jul 12, Mon2.30amHolland 0Spain 1(AET)

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