This combination picture shows, Spain's striker David Villa (L) celebrating after the quarter-final match against Paraguay on July 3, 2010, and Germany's striker Miroslav Klose celebrating after scoring the team's fourth goal against Argentina in their quarter-final match on July 3. Klose and Villa, along with their teammates, will meet in the 2010 World Cup semi-final match on July 7, 2010, in Durban, South Africa.AFP PHOTO/AFP / Getty Images
Thank goodness. We can all watch Germany again.
It is hard to argue against there being a better team in this particular World Cup tournament. Having scored 13 goals courtesy of some scintillating attacking play the Germans will be afraid of no one.
An important point to consider when looking at Germany is their preparation coming into the tournament. They look like the best prepared team by an almighty chasm. Physically they look fresh, fit, powerful, and fast. Tactically they have been meticulously prepared for the system they are playing and man for man they are well balanced with talent in every area of the field.
The problem other teams have had when playing Germany is that they cannot match them collectively in all of these areas and therefore it is hard trying to play catch up - it is too late.
Spain, who have great talent, have not been quite so convincing, plodding their way to the semi-final. They play the same way (4-3-3) no matter who they play and generally with the exact same personnel. Without David Villa (Barcelona) pulling off some magic at just the right moments it could be argued the Spanish would have been home with some of the other highly favoured nations. Nevertheless, they have found their way because they have persisted with their cleverness in the final third and the diminutive striker has come through.
Both teams are strong defensively and each team established themselves as quality, productive, attacking teams. So what will the difference be?
It is likely to be the dynamism of the Germans. They use their athleticism and movement on and off the ball to intelligently create space. The Spanish are more methodical in their build-up and at times set themselves up as being predictable with rarely, if ever, going direct with their passes.
Germany have proved to be competent in all attacking areas: counter attacking; possession build-up; or direct play. It is this variety, tied in with their terrific pace, which will likely dislodge the Spanish more effectively than the Spanish will find breaking down the Germans at the back.
The 4-2-3-1 formation of Germany will not be easy for Spain to deal with irrespective of the unavailability of the prodigious Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich) who has proved to be an international midfield star.
An exciting game is on tap.
Looking for a winner?
In 2008 Spain beat Germany 1-0 in the European Championship final but two years on - in present time - it will be more about the in-form team which undoubtedly is Germany.
Based on this alone, expect Germany to get through.