Venue: Durban

Date: Wednesday, 7 July 2010

Kick-off: 1930 BST

Coverage: BBC1 & BBC HD, BBC Radio 5 Live, live video for UK users and live text commentary on this website
TEAM NEWS

Germany midfielder Sami Khedira is expected to play against Spain despite picking up a minor thigh injury in the win against Argentina.

Thomas Mueller, who has been used on the right wing in South Africa, misses the match through suspension.

Back-up striker Cacau remains troubled by an abdominal muscle injury.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque must decide whether to persist with misfiring striker Fernando Torres, who lasted less than an hour against Paraguay before being substituted.

His replacement, Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, hurt his shoulder after falling heavily and will be assessed by Spain's medical team.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

- Victory at Euro 2008 was only Spain's second win in eight competitive games against the Germans. They also beat them 1-0 in the group stage at the 1984 European Championship.

- Germany are unbeaten in three previous World Cup games against the Spanish. West Germany beat Spain 2-1 at Villa Park in a group game in 1966. They won by the same score at the Bernabeu in 1982, when the sides met in a second round group match. Defeat eliminated the hosts, even though they had one more match to play.

-Jurgen Klinsmann's equaliser earned Germany a 1-1 draw in a group game at USA '94, staged at Chicago's Soldier Field.

- Overall, the two nations have met 20 times: Germany have won eight and Spain six, with six draws.
Germany

- Miroslav Klose has scored 14 goals in 18 World Cup games, and is just one short of the all-time record held by Brazilian star Ronaldo.

- This will be Germany's 11th World Cup semi-final - they have reached this stage in six of the last eight World Cups.

- While Italy beat the Germans in 1970 and 2006, it is 52 years since a side other than the Azzurri defeated them at the semi-final stage (hosts Sweden eliminated them in 1958).
Spain

- The Spanish are through to their first ever World Cup semi-final. They did reach the final four in 1950 under a different format, when the remaining teams played out a group stage. The Spanish finished bottom, behind winners Uruguay plus Brazil and Sweden.

- David Villa is one goal away from equalling Raul's record of 44 goals for Spain. He has already equalled the Spanish record for most goals at a single World Cup (five), set by Emilio Butragueno in 1986.

Match

Anything can happen.

Though I love spanish footy, but their move at scoring are the archaic method the samba boys dropped.

In this new generation, it is had to play passing into the net. You must be able to shoot, inside, outside, around or far from 18 yard box.

If Spain re-adjust well, they may pull a surprise.

Outside that, I see Spain doing the playing while Germans do the scoring.

LOL.

may the best team win

dominique:

may the best team win

Exactly. But I pray my boys the spanish demons win.

Only if u castrate the quartet of SCHWEINI, NEUER, KLOSE and PODOLSKI, would Spain ever win

Schweini would smack Spain silly today and Ozil would make em wonder what hit em !

Klose becomes a king today!

[CENTER]



A "psychic" octopus in Germany, which appears to have correctly predicted every World Cup game involving the national team so far, has picked Spain over Germany in the semi-final.


Paul, from the Sea Life Aquarium in the western city of Oberhausen, chose a mussel from a jar with the Spanish flag instead of one with a German flag.

The two-year-old cephalopod has become a national celebrity.

According to his owners, he has a record of predicting German results.

They say Paul chose the winner in nearly 70% of Germany's games during the 2008 European Championship.

He correctly predicted all five of the team's previous World Cup games - including a shock defeat by Serbia in the group stages.

His prognosis ahead of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final was broadcast live on German TV.

Correspondents says Paul's plumping for Spain has caused alarm in the country, but some analysts point out that his predictive powers are not perfect.

During Euro 2008 he wrongly picked Germany as the victor against Spain.

[/CENTER]

Paul the Octopus predicts Spain would win.

He has predicted right everytime Germany has played at this world cup, He even predicted the Serbia loss

AT the last Euro cup he predicted Germany would beat Spain, Lets hope he got this wrong too

This is a tough one for me.
Though my heart follows La Furia Roja, I feel Germany deserve to play in the final.
Germany has been the only joy at this world cup filled with colossal flops. The Mannschaft have been a delight to watch.

What would I not give for a Germany-Holland final. Even Germany consider the Dutch to be their true footie rivals. Not the silly English.

Footage of the octupus, Can anyone embed this for me?

[flash=400,400]http://www.youtube.com/watch=/v/kFvrAdyFUJ8&feature=player_embedded[/flash]



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFvrAdyFUJ8&feature=player_embedded

dayokanu:

Paul the Octopus predicts Spain would win.

He has predicted right everytime Germany has played at this world cup, He even predicted the Serbia loss

AT the last Euro cup he predicted Germany would beat Spain, Lets hope he got this wrong too

hmm, I guess Paul has misunderstood something here. Or he got confused because we call Spain our second homeland. Spain is the most popular country for Germans for their vacancies, mmhh, it only can be this!!

AjanleKoko:

This is a tough one for me.
Though my heart follows La Furia Roja, I feel Germany deserve to play in the final.
Germany has been the only joy at this world cup filled with colossal flops. The Mannschaft have been a delight to watch.

What would I not give for a Germany-Holland final. Even Germany consider the Dutch to be their true footie rivals. Not the silly English.

Yeah, that is true. Germany vs. Holland is like the creme in the coffee, hahaha

I'd love to see the Dutch and the Spaniards in the final simply because none of these strong soccer playing nations have ever won the world cup, Germans are a very good side but 3 world cup triumph is enough for 'em at the moment.

hmm, I guess Paul has misunderstood something here. Or he got confused because we call Spain our second homeland. Spain is the most popular country for Germans for their vacancies, mmhh, it only can be this!!

Ajali, I have a bad feeling about this game, Muller is out, Paul chose Spain, Spain happen to be the toughest team in this tournament, Maybe Loew can get some tips from Hitzfeld on how to beat Del Bosques sides

dayokanu:

Ajali, I have a bad feeling about this game, Muller is out, Paul chose Spain, Spain happen to be the toughest team in this tournament, Maybe Loew can get some tips from Hitzfeld on how to beat Del Bosques sides

Well, I had a more bad feeling before the Argentina match. Jogi Löw has always found the right answer and he also will find a solution to beat the Spain. And if not it is not a shame. The Mannschaft will be celebrated to the highest because they gave us so much joy.

☻ajali☺:

Well, I had a more bad feeling before the Argentina match. Jogi Löw has always found the right answer and he also will find a solution to beat the Spain. And if not it is not a shame. The Mannschaft will be celebrated to the highest because they gave us so much joy.

Yeah, the Mannschaft have definitely made me proud in the last few days. Whatever the outcome, the boys overachieved.

DK what is the difference betwen you and Domenech now.

Anywyas since u seem to believe all he bullshit. . .let me give you good news. . . .



1. Brazil won the World Cup in 1994; before that they also won in 1970. Adding1970 + 1994= 3964

2. Argentina won its last World Cup in 1986; before that they also won in 1978. Adding 1978 + 1986= 3964

3. Germany won its last World Cup in 1990; before that they also won in 1974. Adding 1974 + 1990= 3964

4. Brazil also won the World Cup in 2002; before that they also won in 1962. Adding 1962+ 2002= 3964

5. Therefore if you want to know what nation is going to win the World Cup in 2010, you only have to subtract 2010 from the magic number that we have determined: 3964.

3964 minus 2010 = 1954. . .

In 1954 the World Cup was won by Germany!!!



Oya DK start to dey dance alanta!!!!

Slimshady,

The theory of the mathematical symmetry failed in 1998 and 2006, So what gives the impression it wont fail again this year

Muller out?Damn!

I still feel the mono-styled Spanish midfield can be out-smarted.The fact Spain do not add width to their game may be their on-doing as they so predictable sometimes it gets unbelievable.No Silva and Navas and thus if Bastian/Khedira can play utilize the Hiddink/Hitzfield style while swiftly initiating attack with through passes,the problem should be half solved.

The Mannschaft young 'uns has proved many doubters wrong on many occasions in this tourney and i feel they can still go a step further.

Plus the Spanish defence hasn't really convinced me too.

dayokanu:

Slimshady,

The theory of the mathematical symmetry failed in 1998 and 2006, So what gives the impression it wont fail again this year

The Octopus has already predicted Spain winning tomorrow. . . .
I think Germany will bite the dust. The Octopus rarely gets it wrong.

Anyways, i think the Octopus is a blatant liar jare.
Animals are naturally attracted to the colour red and this is why the Octopus has been guessing right with the Germans,
Until Germany plays a country like China(who has got a bigger red colour in their flag), the Octopus will continue to choose the red colour.

That is the LOGIC behind it's prediction.

Anyways, i think the Octopus is a blatant liar jare.
Animals are naturally attracted to the colour red and this is why the Octopus has been guessing right with the Germans,
Until Germany plays a country like China(who has got a bigger red colour in their flag), the Octopus will continue to choose the red colour.

That is the LOGIC behind it's prediction

The octopus picked Germany over Poland, Austria, Portugal in Euro 2008 even vs Turkey a country whose flag is "redder" than China sef

dayokanu:

The octopus picked Germany over Poland, Austria, Portugal in Euro 2008 even vs Turkey a country whose flag is "redder" than China sef

The Octopus is a German fan. . . . . . .His predictions are hit n miss.
I will go with [b]Mani [/b]the Singaporean Parrot.

dayokanu:

Actually the Octopus is English, It was brought from England, What are Manis credentials, Show us a link

Paul the Octopus was born in England but has been living in Germany for ages. . . He's a fan of Germany.

Mani has 100% correct predictions. He predicted all the Q/final games correctly
He also predicted Uruguay will tonk Holland and Spain will bludgeon Germany. . . .

In the next 2 hrs or so, Mani shall be judged as either a Nostradamus or TB Joshua.

^^^^^
Any link Sauron?

He correctly predicted all four countries for the World Cup semi-finals.
Our psychic bird selected Holland, Uruguay, Germany and Spain - all choices which were vindicated over the weekend.
It's enough to make Paul the Octopus - from the Sea Life Centre in Oberhausen, Germany - turn Mani-green with envy.
Paul, if you haven't already heard is the superstar octopus that has been making accurate World Cup predictions and hitting international headlines everywhere.



http://uncledicko..com/2010/07/mani-parrothas-made-3-predictions-for.html

Predicted a Uruguay vs Spain final

Not looking good for Mani at all

Looks like Mani predicted the 3rd place match called Losers FINAL

I'm confident Spain will win this. The only way to stop Spain is by putting men behind the ball, choke their free flowing football and i dont see Germany doing that. Beautiful football have gotten into Germany's head and they'll allow Spain play and they'll get punished

una get strength to dey post all this things, i like your symmetrical theory, but germany will win the world cup not because of it but simply because they take their chances and it takes spain nuttin less than 45 minutes to break any deadlock. germany vs holland on sunday

@Ajali,

Some people are born retards and are beyond redemption, You can tell her to print out those pictures and hang it on her wall since it gives her so much 0rgasm.

To think that she lives in Germany and she spews all that froth out