Uruguay versus Europe in last four

The 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ has reached the semi-final stage, with sole South American survivors Uruguay standing alone against the cream of Europe’s representatives. La Celeste are in action on Tuesday evening against an increasingly confident Netherlands side, while Germany take on Spain on Wednesday in a repeat of the UEFA EURO 2008 final.

No member of that illustrious quartet has looked more impressive than the Germans, who put four past England in the Round of 16 and then dished out similar treatment to Argentina in the quarter-finals. Their upcoming opponents did not look quite as impressive in disposing of Portugal and Paraguay in the same rounds, the European champions edging through on both occasions thanks to opportunistic strikes by David Villa.

Uruguay have had to battle hard to take their place in the last four, downing Korea Republic 2-1 in the last 16 before ending African hopes with a nerve-wracking shootout win over Ghana. Oscar Tabarez’s side will need to summon up their famed resolve against the Dutch, who are on a high after seeing off Brazil 2-1.

The matches
Uruguay-Netherlands, 6 July, Cape Town, 20.30
Germany-Spain, 7 July, Durban, 20.30

The big game
Germany-Spain

Much has changed in the two years since a Fernando Torres goal put Michael Ballack’s Germany to the sword in the final of EURO 2008. With the injured Ballack watching from the stands and Torres still struggling to recapture his goalscoring touch, it is the youthful Germans and not the Spanish who have been catching the eye with their high-tempo football.

Coach Joachim Low has unleashed a new generation of talented tyros including Thomas Muller and Mesut Ozil, two of the spearheads of a squad with an average age of only 24.9. Low can also count on a rejuvenated Miroslav Klose. Little used last season by Bayern Munich, the veteran goalgetter is closing in fast on Ronaldo’s all-time FIFA World Cup™ scoring record.

Not to be outdone, Vicente del Bosque can call on a lethal finisher of his own in Barcelona new boy Villa, the leading marksman at South Africa 2010 with five goals in all. And while the Spaniards have yet to move the ball around with their customary élan, they still carry a threat too potent for most teams and boast an exceptional supporting cast that includes the livewire Pedro, whose services could be called upon if extra-time beckons.

Whether this game is decided in 90 minutes or not, there should be plenty of goals and entertainment in store.

In focus
Diego Forlan v The Big Four

Deprived of strike sidekick Luis Suarez, who is suspended, the Atletico Madrid forward knows that Uruguay’s destiny in the competition lies squarely on his shoulders. Forlan has already hit three vital goals in South Africa and will not be lacking in motivation when he sets out to add to that haul on Tuesday. Unlike his opposite number Tabarez, Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk has an embarrassment of riches up front. While Dutch fans are hoping to see the Big Four of Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Dirk Kuyt and Robin van Persie ride together once more, they also have the security of knowing that trusty understudies Ryan Babel, Eljero Elia, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Rafael van der Vaart are all waiting in the wings.

What they said
"It will be like a final. We know them. We are a very offensive team and they are maybe the most exciting team at this World Cup," Fernando Torres, Spain striker.