GERMANY 1-2 ITALY

It was a very open match where both teams gave much spaces for each other to attack deep into each other's halves. This enabled an exciting flow of the match between both teams too. Therefore, it was a far more exciting match than the previous one between Spain and Portugal. Germany ended up attacking more of the Italian defence but opened up their defence too much. Two very good chances were almost resulted in goal, with the first one being defended by Pirlo as Buffon left the goal wide open after falling down from a corner while the second one from Boateng crossing in almost resulted in an own goal by Barzagli. Italy responded with a direct shot on goal by Montolivo and then a good one from Cassano.

In the 20th minute, via a good left side cross by Cassano, Balotelli met it with a header which ended with the first goal of the match. Germany did not respond with much pressure although they attacked more from here onwards. A try by Kheidara was dangerous but Buffon managed to save it. Chiellini in one of the counter attacks, sent a pass that split the German defence, which overcame the offside trap. Balotelli took it down and hit a shot into the net at the top corner in the 36th minute. The German defence really needed to be stronger as well as putting pressure on the Italian offence if they are ever thinking of overcoming this match.

In the second half, Germany played deeper in the Italian half in order to find the goals to respond. However, the resounding Italian defence helped keep out most of the chances. I feel that the Germans were just not giving Italy enough pressure, especially when the possession was with Italy that they didn't press enough to get back the possession. The Italian defence restricted most of the German offence to the outside of the penalty box. A very dangerous freekick by Reus in front of goal was saved by Buffon. In the dying minutes of the full time, a handball by Balzaretti caused a penalty kick to be given to Germany. Ozil converted the penalty kick by scoring a shot at the top right hand corner of the goal. It was too late as there was not enough time to comeback to score the equalizer.

Pirlo to me was the best player on the field which gave the Italians the victory despite Balotelli scoring the two goals. He was everywhere and his passes were just classy. Italy will go into the final to play Spain, a rematch of their first group stage match.

GERMANY 4-1 GREECE

Well, the Germans are expected to be in the final. Greece are not expected to create another miracle in the EURO competition. Lahm, the left back and captain, gave the Germans the lead with a curl ball from outside the penalty box. The goal came after a few good chances that did not materialize, with one of them disallowed for offside. Germany attacked more in the first half, controlling around 70% of the possessions while Greece parked a bus in front of their goal.

By the second half, the Germans have been wasting quite a number of chances again. They were caught off guard in one of the Greeks' counter attacks which resulted in a goal from the right in the 55th minute. Germany responded within 5 minutes later with an impressive Kheidara goal from a right cross. Then, just shortly afterwards, in less than 10 minutes, another goal from the right cross yet again for a header by Klose. Not long after around the 74th minute, Reus scored a goal into an empty net after the goalie fell from stopping a Klose shot which fell in front of him. Greece got a goal late in the match courtesy of a penalty kick from a handball by Boeteng in the penalty box.

Germany, with their impressive 15th consecutive win, broke the record with the longest in the run. They will face either England or Italy in the semis.

URUGUAY VS. GERMANY

Paul said Germany will win. I want Uruguay to win it, for Diego Forlan's sake. Germany have a young side, their time will come. Forlan may be playing his last World Cup and I feel that he deserved more in this competition after what happened in the semifinal. For a nation with just 3.5 million people, even less than Singapore, it is definitely a performance worth giving respect to. They definitely have done well going this far into the competition.

Germany have a far better head-to-head record against Uruguay if I am not mistaken. However, I want Miroslav Klose to beat Ronaldo's record. I want Uruguay to win but I want Miroslav Klose to achieve that record. I am against the Oracle Octopus who has yet to predict a single result wrongly thus far in this competition. For Forlan, Uruguay must win. For Klose, Germany should make him the highest scoring player in the World Cup.

World Cup Preview: Uruguay - Germany
It's a battle to finish third in the World Cup.
By Subhankar Mondal

Kick-Off: Saturday, July 10, 20:30 CET.
Port Elizabeth Stadium, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth.

Finishing With A Flourish

Uruguay didn't exactly have a very difficult path to the semi-finals of the World Cup but that shouldn't detract from their truly adventurous journey. The South Americans featured in the last four of a World Cup for the first time in 40 years and indeed gave the Netherlands a run for their money, narrowly losing 3-2.

Moreover, the Celeste could point out that the Oranje's first two goals were controversial: Mark Van Bommel had committed a foul in the build-up to Giovanni Van Bronckhorst's wonder strike while Robin Van Persie was offside for Wesley Sneijder's goal.

Nevertheless, Uruguay shouldn't be too depressed as their team were arguably the most 'romantic' in the competition and for a nation with just 3.5 million inhabitants, reaching the semi-finals ahead of Argentina and Brazil was indeed an achievement in itself. On other occasions finishing third in the World Cup wouldn't mean much but the honor of being officially the third best team in the finals is a massive incentive to play well and win on Saturday night.

Making Their Nation Proud

Germany must be feeling sore after crashing out of the World Cup on Wednesday evening. Die Mannschaft were easily the best and most attractive team in South Africa, having dispatched England and Argentina in the last two rounds with ease, but against European champions Spain in the semis they met their match.

La Furia Roja taught the Euro 2008 finalists a footballing lesson, winning 1-0 to reach the final of a World Cup for the first time in their history as the Germans failed to show their true colors. Of course, the margin of defeat means that Joachim Loew's side can go out with heads held high, but they will certainly be looking to make up for that defeat with a win on Saturday evening.

Four years back Germany finished third in the 2006 World Cup finals they themselves hosted by defeating Portugal in the third place play-off. The current Germany team is a very young one but they have shown lots of potential to scale the heights. Indeed, a win against Uruguay that will enable them to finish third for the second World Cup in a row - this will be a great achievement indeed.

The game could also be a special occasion for striker Miroslav Klose. The 32-year-old has a total of 14 goals in the World Cup finals, just one short of Brazilian legend Ronaldo's all-time record of 15. He is struggling for fitness but the Bayern Munich forward will be desperate to start against Uruguay to equal or even beat Ronaldo's record.

FORM GUIDE

Uruguay

July 6: Uruguay 2-3 Netherlands (World Cup)
July 2: Uruguay 1-1 Ghana (a.e.t. - Uruguay won 4-2 on penalties) (World Cup)
June 26: Uruguay 2-1 South Korea (World Cup)
June 22: Mexico 0-1 Uruguay (World Cup)
June 16: South Africa 0-3 Uruguay (World Cup)

Germany

July 7: Germany 0-1 Spain (World Cup)
July 3: Argentina 0-4 Germany (World Cup)
June 27: Germany 4-1 England (World Cup)
June 23: Ghana 0-1 Germany (World Cup)
June 18: Germany 0-1 Serbia (World Cup)


TEAM NEWS

Uruguay

Midfielder Walter Gargano is set to miss out but striker Luis Suarez will be back from suspension. However, star man Diego Forlan picked up an injury against the Netherlands and there are some doubts on his fitness. Center-back Diego Lugano will start in defense, meaning that Diego Godin will be on the bench.

Probable Line-up (4-2-3-1): Muslera, M. Pereira, Victorino, Lugano, Caceres; D. Perez, Arevalo; A. Fernandez, Forlan, Cavani; Suarez Gargano, A. Pereira; Forlan, Cavani

Germany

Striker Miroslav Klose picked up a back injury in Germany's defeat to Spain and there are suggestions that he won't be able to start against Uruguay. Assistant coach Hansi Flick also hinted that midfielders Sami Khedira and Mesut Oezil too have problems. Marcell Jansen is also likely to start at left-back ahead of Jerome Boateng. Thomas Mueller will be back from suspension and will replace Piotr Trochowski in midfield.

Probable Line-up (4-2-3-1): Neuer, Lahm, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Jansen; Khedira, Schweinsteiger; Mueller, Oezil, Podolski; Klose