DISQUS

Germany were worth the semi-finals on balance -- Klinsmann has done something no German coach has done that I remember and that is to make them play open, attacking football. But this was still an overachieving team and without Frings it was always going to be an uphill struggle; and that became all too clear within minutes of the kick-off.


Penalties in this game would have been an injustice with the inevitable German win seeing as how Italy are the only nation culturally less equipped than England to deal with a shoot-out.



Finally a word for the referee -- this guy is outstanding. Makes Pierluigi Collina look ordinary. He totally let the players play and resisted the temptation to project his ego.



So hopefully we look forward to an Italy-France final and may the best team win.