Dritte besser als vierte (The 3rd place game)

Germany will meet Portugal in what will be a bit of bittersweet for both teams. Germany was disappointed in a loss to Italy after almost taking them to PKs, which would've clearly favored the Germans. Germany clearly has the upper hand here and should be able to dispose of Portugal. Portugal appears to have loads of individual talent but frequently fail to play cohesively as a team. After the 41st time running straight at a defender and falling down, perhaps Cristiano Ronaldo will realize that's not working. The swell of hometown fans will be more than enough to carry the Germans to a respectable 3rd place showing as Klose and Podolski strike frequently in a 3-0 win, capping off a very good run for a German team we should see success from in South Africa in 2010, especially if Klini stays on.

Vier oder weniger (Preview of the semi-finals)

From here on out it will be nothing but colossal clashes of world heavyweights. Germany and Italy will begin this round with some interesting statistics. Germany has never lost in Dortmund and Italy has never lost to Germany in World Cup play. The Italian back line has been impressive, allowing a grand total of zero goals with the exception of one own goal. With Nesta out, however, this could present a bit of difficulty. However, with a back line full of other players playing in the notoriously goal-stingy Serie A, Podolski, Klose and co. should have their challenges. Germany will need to tighten things up a bit in the back, but they should be inspired by the PK stand of Lehmann and Klinesmann has shown that he has his players prepared for their opponent so the worry for German fans should be minimal. Both Buffon and Lehmann are excellent goalkeepers and certainly two of the best who have attended the tournament. At the midfield, Ballack simply needs to show why he's wearing the captain band. To date he has been capable but far from impressive. Germany simply needs more output from this world class player. The Germans will miss Thorsten Frings, suspended after throwing a punch after the conclusion of the Argentina game. At the front line, the is almost even. Italy and Germany both look formidable up front, with Italy perhaps taking a slight advantage on set pieces and timing of runs and Germany better at positioning and pressing the attack. Both teams will come out playing cautionusly and that could be a mistake as whoever scores first in this one will win. Germany will need extra time to do it, but they squeak by Italy 1-0 and roll into the finals on a surge of support from the home crowd. Should this one go to PKs, the advantage is decidedly in Germany's favor; Germany has never lost a WC match on PKs while Italy has never won one.

France has surprised everyone with the late onset of their momentum. After a poor showing in group play, this team suddenly appears able to be able to do no wrong. In the process of reaching the semis, they have dismissed a stacked Spanish side 3-1 and beat Brazil in a huge 1-0 upset win. Portugal will be happy to have Deco back in the lineup and, at this stage, every weapon will be useful to the Portugese. Based on the talent that Portugal will be putting on the field it doesn't make any sense at all, but France will pull this one off in a 2-1 win that inches them that much closer to hoisting the FIFA trophy.

Kein mehr (Results of the quarter-finals)

Germany v. Argentina looked to be a sleeper until Argentina struck in the second half and radically changed the pace of the game. Suddenly Germany was forced to pour on the attack in an effort to find the equalizer. Find the equalizer they did, on a perfectly brilliant flick off the head of Borowski to the head of Klose, who promtly flicked the ball into the corner of the net, just inches from the outstretched hands of the substitute GK Franco. This strike hit doubly deep for Argentina; not only was it the equalizer, but Argentina was most certainly mismanaged at this point in the game after having removed Crespo and Riquelme which severly reduced the offensive punch of Argentina. With the Argentinean GK Abbondanzieri leaving the field in the 71st minute, ARG also had the unenviable task of bringing on their second stringer late in the game as the Germans were intensifying their assault. One can't help but wonder if the German goal that cleared by mere inches, if that, would've been saved had Abbondanzieri still been in the game. After two periods of scoreless overtime, the advantage was clearly with the Germans in the PKs. Germany had a clearly better GK in Lehmann, who had played brilliantly toward the end of regulation and in the OT to preserve the tie. Germany had survived several defensive lapses that almost cost them the game but in the PKs none of that mattered. The German kickers blasted every kick strong and true and Argentina faltered as Lehmann (in true German form referring to a sheet filled with scouting information on the PK habits for the opposing side) came up with some essential saves. Germany defeated their toughest opponent they've faced thus far in the tournament and Argentina has four years to ponder what might have been.

Italy finally seems to be realizing that goals are scored at the opposite end of the field from which their GK is standing. And score they did on the underwhelming Ukranian side. Ukraine simply didn't have enough firepower on the pitch to hold off the Italians. Toni finally found his mark in netting two goals within 10 minutes of each other. Despite a possession % far in favor of Ukraine and some threatening strikes on goal, it was clear who was in control for most of this one. But what a difference a couple minutes can make. After Ukraine came agonizingly close to scoring the eqalizer, Italy counterattacked and Toni netted his first goal of the tournament in the 59th minute, which appeared to break the backs of the Ukrainian side. Truthfully, it was a good run for Ukraine in their first appearance in the tournament. For Italy, they continue to display their almost impenetrable defense (no one has scored a goal on them yet; and own goal is the only GA on their balance sheet) and their offense appears to be on the move. Could Italy finally be willing to play exciting football?

Poor England. Owen out with injury. Lampard clearly off his mark. Rooney ousted after seeing red. Beckham largely ineffective outside of set plays and then down with an injury. The lonely Crouch lumbering around up top futiley trying to make something happen. Despite all these hardships England took Portugal to the limit and beyond to a PK session. But it was obvious this team simply didn't have the nails to make it into the next round as they were soundly stomped in the PK session. Portugal didn't look that impressive against the showless English side but, regardless, they escape with a win and look to be one of the weaker teams in the semi-finals despite a stacked roster sheet.

France seems to know a secret that many teams don't but they could probably sell for a significant percentage of most country's GDP. That secret is how to beat Brazil. France turns out to be the giant-killer yet again in dismissing Brazil with a brilliant Zidane-Henry strike in the 57th minute. Brazil was clearly stunned and played the part of a giant, lumbering after the ball and seemingly unaware that a 1-0 France score would send the pre-tournament favorites back to Rio. The Brazilian pace was clearly off and unable to create any of the magic that is normally typical of Brazil. Zidane seems to be ready to lead his squad to the final...does this 34 year old have enough gas to get there?