Germany-seeks-revenge-for-2008-euro-final

Germany Takes On Spain in World Cup Semifinal

DURBAN, South Africa (AP) -- Leave it to the Germans to make things interesting.

Spain has gone out of its way to downplay the rematch of the 2008 European Championship title game in Wednesday night's World Cup semifinal, refusing to even acknowledge the grudge match factor.

Not Germany's Lukas Podolski.

"We want revenge for 2008," Podolski said Tuesday night. "When you are in a final you want to win. We still think about that defeat, and it still hurts. We want to reach the final and we'll do all we can to achieve that."

Spain ended a 44-year major title drought with its 1-0 victory over Germany two years ago -- a win that wasn't nearly as close as the score indicated. But Germany is a far different team now -- in age and in attitude.

Youngsters such as Mesut Oezil, Sami Khedira and Thomas Mueller have given Germany the speed and sharpness it lacked in 2008. Despite their youth-with an average age under 25, this is the second-youngest team Germany has ever sent to a World Cup-the Germans are playing with discipline and a seamless chemistry that makes their plays unfold like a symphony. 

Their spacing in the midfield is awe-inspiring, their passing so exquisite it almost looks as if the ball is on an invisible wire from one player's foot to another's. As for the defense, it's simply scary. Whenever Argentina's Lionel Messi or Carlos Tevez appeared on the verge of doing something in the quarterfinal, German defenders swarmed around to force a turnover or a bad shot.

And when Germany is on the counterattack, look out.

"In 2008, my team may not have been as consistent," Germany coach Joachim Loew said. "We were fluctuating a little bit in terms of the quality, and might not have had the quality at all positions compared to the team we have today. The players we have now are incredibly skilled technically and tactically.

"Our flow is clearly superior to what we had in 2008."

The Spanish have lost all of two games since November 2006. David Villa has five goals-tied for most in the tournament with the Netherlands' Wesley Sneijder, and Spain's defense hasn't allowed a goal in the knockout stage.

Spain hasn't had quite the same flair that it did at Euro 2008. It was stunned by Switzerland in the group stage, and needed a late goal from Villa to beat Paraguay 1-0 in the quarters after both teams had penalty kicks saved.

But Spain is winning, and that's all that matters at this point in the World Cup.

Spain also caught a break Tuesday, when Cesc Fabregas was able to work out with the rest of the team. Fabregas had taken a ball off the exact spot where his leg was broken in March during practice Monday night, but tests ruled out any bone injuries and coach Vicente del Bosque said he's available for the game.

"I don't think there are favorites at this stage," Andres Iniesta said. "What they say about us, we can also say the same thing about them. You can say they are a great team, a team that has players of a very, very high level. For that, it will be a well-deserved semifinal."

The winner earns the right to play the Netherlands in Sunday's final at Soccer City. The Dutch beat Uruguay 3-2 on Tuesday in the other semifinal.

Netherlands advance to World Cup final with 3-2 victory over Uruguay

CAPE TOWN, South Africa | Arjen Robben emerged from the bottom of a celebration pile, mud on his brow and a smile on his face.

For good measure, he threw kisses at his teammates and fans. His goal gave the Netherlands a 3-2 victory over Uruguay on Tuesday and a spot in the World Cup final.

Now that’s a Dutch treat!

The big prize — that elusive first title — is still one game away. But this was such a moment to savor that most of the squad made a curtain call nearly an hour after the biggest Netherlands victory in decades, leading about 1,000 orange-clad fans in cheers that figure to last until Sunday.

That’s when the Dutch play either Spain or Germany for the championship of the world.

“If you win the final, you make yourself immortal, at least in our country,” Robben said. “We will do everything we can to take the Cup back.”

Stars Wesley Sneijder and Robben scored 3 minutes apart in the second half as the Netherlands advanced to its first title match since losing in 1978 to Argentina.

“We are so close,” Sneijder said. “There is nothing bigger than the World Cup.”

Winners of all six games in South Africa, 10 in a row overall and in the midst of a 25-match unbeaten streak, the Dutch have the look of champions.

“This is unforgettable,” said Sneijder, now tied with Spain’s David Villa for top scorer at the tournament (five goals).

Besides the loss to Argentina in ’78, the Netherlands fell in its only other appearance in the final, to West Germany in 1974.

A tournament that looked like a South American fiesta early on will end in a European showdown for the second straight World Cup. Sneijder and Robben made sure of that.

After stunning long-distance goals, first from the Netherlands’ Giovanni van Bronckhorst and then one by Uruguay’s Diego Forlan, the score was 1-1 at the half.

Sneijder’s go-ahead goal came somewhat unexpectedly because Uruguay had shut down the Dutch offense for much of the second half. His left-footed shot from just inside the penalty area barely ticked the leg of defender Maximiliano Pereira and, with the Netherlands’ Robin van Persie almost deflecting it again, the ball skidded past Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

Then Robben sent a cross from Dirk Kuyt past a flat-footed Muslera with a brilliant header. His teammates piled on in an Oranje Crush celebration, and Robben came up from it muddied and merry — and with the knowledge that, ahead 3-1, the Netherlands was likely headed to the championship match.

Pereira made the Netherlands sweat with a goal in injury time, but the Netherlands was able to hold on for the win.

Uruguay was without striker Luis Suarez, whose hand ball on the goal line in the final seconds of extra time against Ghana saved his team in the quarterfinals. He drew a red card for that, and spent his suspension on the bench Tuesday.

Robben was replaced late in the match, and at the final whistle he fell flat to the turf as he ran back onto the pitch. Mark van Bommel ran over to where the ball came to rest, picked it up and hugged it. His teammates began a joyous stroll around the field as the vuvuzelas blared and Dutch flags waved in the stands.

“Sunday we play in the World Cup final. I have to get used to that,” Sneijder said.