Germans seek Euro revenge

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Bull-fighting is a rage in Spain, but the team that are on a bullish run at the World Cup are Germany. The Germans have everything on their side __ momentum, goals, age, and history. Neutral fans not only admire Germany these days; they also love the exciting young team in South Africa.

Can Spain tame a marauding Germany when the two face each other in the semi-final at Durban on Wednesday? There is no doubt that the in-form Germans are the team to beat, but Spain will be hoping that their rampaging rivals have peaked early.
Germany’s path to the semifinals, it appeared, was strewn with landmines. But Joachim Loew well-drilled unit had transformed the route into a bed of roses with majestic performances against England and Argentina.
Man for man and position for position, Germany enjoy a decisive advantage. Spain will find it hard to match their opponents’ tactical discipline and organisational cohesion. The way Germany defended as a team against Argentina was in stark contrast to their South American opponents’ abysmal work at the back.
There was purpose to the movement and passing of the Germans at Green Point Stadium on Saturday. They never lost shape at any point. And, few teams have been more dangerous in counter-attacks here.
There is a newfound oneness in the German team. Franz Beckenbauer says the solidarity stems from the squad’s multicultural make-up and the Emperor is seldom wrong. More importantly, Germany look hungry for success as 14 years have rolled by since they won a major title (Euro 1996). The Germans, after falling at the final hurdle of the 2002 World Cup, believe that their chance of going all the way is now and here.
Germany have no peers in the department of mental strength. They love the big stage. Bigger the occasion, better the performance is the mantra ingrained in every member of the Mannschaft. The assured performances of Sami Khedira, Thomas Mueller and Jerome Boateng have belied the trio’s rookie status.
The senior group in the team has also fired on all cylinders. Midfield bedrock Bastian Schweinsteiger and the record-chasing Miroslav Klose have been exceptional. The absence of Mueller through suspension is a worry for Loew against Spain. But the German camp is so high on confidence that anyone with a pair of shoes can do the job.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque’s major headache is his team’s over-reliance on David Villa. Unlike their semi-final opponents, Spain have solely depended on the Barcelona forward for inspiration.
Villa has scored five of his team’s six goals here. Andres Iniesta, the scorer of Spain’s sixth, is in good touch as well. But Fernando Torres hasn’t joined the party yet. The striker is still searching for his first goal in South Africa.
Xavi has also been not his usual influential self in midfield. However, Del Bosque knows that he has the tools to hurt Germany. The former Real Madrid boss will be hoping that the pieces will fall in place for his team at Durban.
He has players who can turn a match on its head in a moment. Spain’s ability to switch to Plan B if their preferred passing pattern fail to trouble Germany will decide the fate of the semifinal.