| The clash in the second semi-final of the 2010 World | | | | time these teams met in a competitive game Spain |
| Cup between Germany and Spain promises to be an | | | | prevailed. That was the Euro 2008 final, where Spain |
| open affair between two of the best teams in the | | | | won their first major trophy in their storied history. |
| tournament. Both sides registered one defeat in the | | | | Many pundits believe that it was a sign that Spain |
| opening round, but had no problems in Stage 2. | | | | shook off their tag of underachievers and chokers in |
| Germany was the most dominant team in the second | | | | competition. |
| round, having beaten top teams convincingly. First, they | | | | Favourites |
| despatched England 4-1 before dismantling Argentina | | | | There is division over which team is the favourite for |
| 4-0. Spain did not dominate in a similar manner, but got | | | | this contest. Based on their head-to-head record and |
| by Portugal and Paraguay with 1-0 victories. | | | | World Cup pedigree, the Germans are slight favourites. |
| Before, not much was expected from a young | | | | However, Spain was a pre-tournament favourite to |
| German side, despite the experience of key players | | | | win the World Cup - even ahead of Germany. Four |
| like Podolski, Klose and Schweinsteiger. Spain was | | | | years ago, the Germans would have been unanimous |
| supposed to do what the Germans did - take apart | | | | favourites, but the 2007-2009 unbeaten run by the |
| opponents with displays of attacking football. | | | | Spaniards and their capture of the European title in |
| Throughout the tournament, opponents stifled Spain | | | | 2008 changed that. The Germans are not the |
| and Fernando Torres did not deliver because of poor | | | | mechanical, defence-minded team that they used to |
| form. Germany was the opposite, with players who did | | | | be; they can easily outscore their opponents. |
| not perform at domestic level bearing fruit on the | | | | Verdict |
| international stage. | | | | Although both teams have attacking intent, this |
| Head-to-head | | | | semi-final is not likely to have more than three goals in |
| Not surprisingly, Germany has the better of the | | | | regulation time. German coach Joachim Loew is |
| exchanges between these two European powers. In | | | | pragmatic and would not necessarily allow Spain the |
| 20 games played between these two nations prior to | | | | room to play that the Spanish players anticipate. If |
| the semi-final, Germany won 8 games to Spain's 6 - | | | | Germany take the lead, it would be very difficult for |
| the team drew on six occasions. Germany has the | | | | Spain to win, especially as Germany demonstrated |
| reputation of being tournament ready and they | | | | how deadly their counter-attacks are against England. |
| demonstrated this at the last two tournaments, when | | | | Odds are on the three-time world champions to |
| their fans had reduced expectations. However, the last | | | | defeat Spain and advance to the final. |