Match Day 23

[MrJibbles]

Germany vs Spain 7:30pm

Repeat of the Euro 2008 final, will we have the same out come?

Will Germany's freeflowing football get passed a dodgy Spanish backline?

Will Torres actually show up and help Spain become an 11 man team and not 10?

All the questions to be answered tonight, the last of our semi finals.

Paul the octopus is picking Spain, has a 100% record so in picking winners.

[Black Ant]

lol nice build up

[BATTY BOY BUM BANDIT]

I'm going for 3 nil spain.

Hopefully Torres don't play, fabregas or silva come in.

[Risky]

Lmao at 11man instead of 10

[BLACK VICTIM]

3-0 spain? give the germs some credit

[Guest Triple XXX]

lol that octopus can f*ck off

[HangTheDJ]

If Spain score first they'll win it relatively comfortably.

The Germans are good at what they do, but I think they're one dimensional.

If Germany give as much of the ball to Spain as they did Argentina Spain will boss it.

I'll say 2-1 Spain. Torres to score.

[Corrigan]

sticking with my guns and i am betting £100 on germany to win

[Agony]

Germany v Spain: Ottmar Hitzfeld explains how Spanish can be beaten

Ottmar Hitzfeld masterminded the World Cup's first major shock when his Switzerland side defeated Spain and now the German coach has revealed how it can be done for the benefit of his countrymen.

By Thomas Hyde

Published: 11:05AM BST 07 Jul 2010

As Germany coach Joachim Low prepares his side for tonight's World Cup semi-final match against Spain he would be advised take a cursory glance at Hitzfeld's master plan if he wants to avoid a repeat of the European Championship final of two years ago when the Spaniards triumphed 1-0.

Hitzfeld's Switzerland upset all the odds in their opening game of the tournament by becoming only the second team to defeat Spain in 49 international matches.

Germany must become the third in 55 if they are to set up a World Cup final encounter with Holland and Hitzfeld believes that his countrymen have the ability to do so providing they employ the right tactics:

He told Bild: "The German team, of course, has more footballing potential than my Swiss team. That’s why they will use different tactics to those I employed when we beat Spain 1-0 in the first group game.

"I think that the Spanish way of playing will suit Germany. Spain like to attack, and their fullbacks Sergio Ramos and Joan Capdevila get forward a lot. That means that there is often space on the flanks which the German players will be able to exploit.

"That is an Achilles' heel for Spain and Germany can cause them problems there.

"Gaps could open up in central defence if Gerard Pique or Carles Puyol get dragged towards Miroslav Klose. That would leave Mesut Özil with a free route to goal."

Despite talking up Germany's chances of recording victory over the European champions, Hitzfeld has a word of warning for Low and his players:

"Things could get dangerous for Germany in the area that I call the ‘red zone’. That is the corridor between defence and midfield, where Xavi, Andres Iniesta and David Villa operate," he said

"Per Mertesacker and Arne Friedrich, as well as Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira, need to keep this space small and prevent the Spanish from working their magic there.

"It will also be highly important to double up on the wings, because Spain, and especially Villa, are very good in one-on-one situations.

"Even if these tactics work, it will definitely not be possible to completely prevent Spain from getting chances. Their players are individually just too good for that.

Despite recording a shock victory over Spain, Hitzfeld and Switzerland failed to qualify for the second round after picking up just one point from their two proceeding Group H matches against Chile and Honduras.

But the German coach is predicting a more favourable outcome for Germany based on their performances in South Africa so far.

"I think that Germany have a good chance of making the final. But they’ll need to put all their energy into patrolling the pitch and tracking down their opposition, as they did so well against Argentina."

[Mr Q]

Muller has been vital to everything Germany have done, they may struggle tonight.

Spain win.

[The Infamous]

Torres will score like he did at the Euros

[Flojo]

Germany still not getting the credit they deserve by the looks of it.

We've already seen Spain short of ideas when a team maintains a disciplined back line, I reckon Germany have got this.

[Mr Q]

Just from his involvment in the goals alone -

54% - Thomas Müller has been involved in 7 of Germany's 13 goals at the 2010 (4 goals & 3 assists).

Surely that say he is vital, in terms of his form right now anyway.

[Fearless-Guy]

deutschland ftw

come on ze germans

[Corrigan]

GERRRRRRRMMMMMAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNYYYYYYYY

WIN ME SOME MONEY PLEEEEEAAAASSSSSEEEEEEEE

[MrJibbles]

Pedro in

Torres out

>>>>>> Darren Gough's reasons for wanting Germany to win

[Hernandez Balcazar]

Pedro in

Torres out

>>>>>> Darren Gough's reasons for wanting Germany to win

should make for an interesting game

[BATTY BOY BUM BANDIT]

Pedro really is too much.

[Guest Jetz]

Gonna be routing for the Germans. They have been by far the most impressive side to watch.

[NiNES.]

2-0 jermani

[Wavant]

Gonna be routing for the Germans. They have been by far the most impressive side to watch.

Plus I got moola riding on them.

[Michel Kane]

LOL @ the formation the BBC just used for the Spain line-up.

Xavi & Iniesta occupying the wings?

Villa & Pedro upfront?