While England have been quick to find excuses and blame for a terrible World Cup campaign, Germany are flying through the rounds with back-to-back thrashings of two of the favourites. For a nation not fancied prior to the tournament, they have reached the semi finals for the 11th time in the last 15 tournaments.

An injury to captain Michael Ballack sparked doom for a German national team that wasn’t full of household names outside of its own country and whom had questions over who their strikers should be heading into the tournament.

So How Have Germany Got This Far?

A very well-disciplined unit coached by Joachim Low for 4 years now, Germany’s teamwork, ability and prowess in front of goal have all combined during their run to the final 4. It’s said you need a bit of luck to win the World Cup – they’ve had that too.

Joachim Low

A master tactician and the key to Germany’s run at their home World Cup in 2006, reaching the semi finals under Jurgen Klinsmann, helped by his assistant. Joachim Low stepped up from number 2 after that tournament and successful guided Germany to the final of Euro 2008, beating Portugal as underdogs in the quarter final even with Low banned from the touchline.

Tactically Sound

This World Cup has upgraded Joachim Low’s reputation as a manager, not just for his fashion sense and dyed hair on the sideline. The West German born manager has out-coached all of his opponents so far, handing record World Cup defeats to both Australia and England along the way. His current setup of two holding midfielders in front of the defence have limited opposition to opportunities. Only Milan Jovanovic and Matthew Upson from a set piece have put the ball past Manuel Neuer so far. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira have played in that role and ventured forward when Germany have possession, adding great support to that attack on the break.

Counter Attack

Germany have had a lot of success on the counter attack in this tournament. Whether it’s the holding midfielders coming forward or Philip Lahm supporting the attack from full back, Germany have such presence going forward. Lukas Podolski playing left forward has scored 2 goals, Thomas Muller has scored 4 from the right and Miroslav Klose has scored 4 goals in the middle. Muller, Mesut Ozil and Bastian Schweinsteiger all have 3 assists. The have playmakers and goalscorers all over the park.

Pride, Determination, Discipline

The English team have been criticised for their lack of passion and determination in this tournament. The same cannot be said of the German players. They work for each other, they work for their country. As if winning the World Cup isn’t enough to motivate players, it’s as if German players are born with succeeding at the World Cup.

Luck

Germany have had a few strikes of luck so far. From Kwadwo Asamoah scuffing a one-on-one at 0-0 in their final group match with Ghana where defeat would have sent them home. Frank Lampard’s goal that was given when Germany lead England 2-1 in the second round. They’ve had a few fortunate breaks so far and perhaps there is more to follow in their final two games. After all, winners make their own luck, right?

The Jabulani

Having played with this ball since December in the Bundesliga, the German national players have had months more practice with the new ball that continues to deceive goalkeepers and players continue to find problems crossing with. Over hit through balls continue to be a problem for most nations. Not for Germany. Even if Miroslav Klose has only scored one goal with his head so far, Germany are using the ball for a slight additional advantage that I believe still exits.

The Future

A young team that Joachim Low will be preparing to have a good shot at the European Championships in 2 years time, Germany are a great shout to win this year’s World Cup. My money is on them to beat Spain in the semi final with the current European Champions under performing at this World Cup. Thomas Muller’s suspension is a big blow for Germany, having been involved in the most goals in this this tournament so far (4 goals, 3 assists) and a great threat on the counter. However, Spain’s defence remains vulnerable and the likes of Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose will fancy their chances of adding to Germany’s tally of 13 goals in the competition so far.

In what was expected to be a close and exciting World Cup quarter final, it only lived up to one of its expectations. In an exciting game, that was stretched at times, Germany thrashed Argentina 4-0 and left Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi in a few tears.

It took less than 3 minutes before Germany were in front when Bastian Schweinsteiger’s free kick was headed in by Thomas Muller after some bad defending.  In his post-match interview, Thomas Muller had no harsh words on Maradona despite the Argentina legend calling him a “ballboy” in March during a post-match interview of his own.  If Maradona didn’t know who Muller was then, he certainly will now.

Defending was Diego Maradona’s weak point, and while many people around me were thinking Argentina would win this year’s World Cup, especially after Brazil’s exit last night, I replied with “Low will beat Maradona tactically”. Man to my word, I even lumped on Germany to win this one.

Argentina came close on occasions, even having a goal disallowed for offside in the first half. Four players clearly in an offside position from a set piece. Manuel Neuer made a few smart saves in the Germany goal although was never significantly tested. The German defence kept the likes of Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain quiet throughout. Angel Di Maria looked their liveliest threat, coming in from the right against Jerome Boateng, who was Germany’s weak point in the first half. His performance stepped up in the second half before being substituted for Marcell Jansen shortly after the second goal.

Germany’s second goal came midway through the first half with some great foot work on the floor by Thomas Muller to thread Lukas Podolski into the penalty area. The Polish-born forward had time to steady himself, squeezing the ball inbetween goalkeeper and defender and allow Miroslav Klose to tap in his 13th World Cup goal on his 100th appearance for Germany.

Argentina were falling apart at this point, and Bastian Schweinsteiger was able to stroll past two defenders from a corner before setting up Arne Friedrich to slide in Germany’s third. Schweinsteiger put in a match winning performance with two assists as he run the show from midfield. His closing down of players also gave Argentina little space to create opportunities of his own. A cert for the team of the tournament now, he’s also in with a shout for winning the player of the tournament award, previously having been voted young player of the tournament in 2006.

Germany: Ruthless

As Argentina pushed forward for a consolation late on, Mesut Ozil had time in the penalty area to put in a delightful cross for which Miroslav Klose volleyed in from close range, his 14th World Cup goal, on par with fellow countryman Gerd Muller and 1 behind the all-time top scorer, Ronaldo. He now has 4 goals in this year’s World Cup; 1 more than he scored in the Bundesliga for Bayern Munich last season.

Spain: Remain Lethargic

While Germany cruised into the semi final, their opponents for Wednesday night, Spain narrowly beat Paraguay to give Europe three representatives in the semi final. In a first half that lacked any entertainment and that extended Paraguay’s run of goalless games to 2.5 with an extra time period, the game picked up on the hour when Gerard Pique stupidly pulled down Oscar Cardozo in the area to give Paraguay a penalty. Iker Casillas bailed his fellow countryman out as he saved Cardozo’s ensuing spot kick. Spain would break away and win one of their own when David Villa was hauled down by Sunderland-bound Antolin Alcaraz. Fortunate to receive only a yellow card, Xabi Alonso smashed in the penalty. Only for referee Carlos Batres ordering it to be retaken for encroachment. The following penalty would be saved and Paraguay were fortunate not to concede another when goalkeeper Justo Villar took out Cesc Fabregas on the rebound. Interestingly, there was encroachment on all three penalties. As there is on just about every penalty.

A lovely run from Andres Iniesta setup Pedro in the final 10 minutes, only for the Barcelona players shot to rebound off the post. The ball rebounded into the feet of the awaiting David Villa who curled his shot onto the post, rebounding across goal and in via the opposite post for his fifth goal of the tournament. He is now the tournaments leading goalscorer as predicted by many at the start of the tournament, with two games remaining for all four remaining teams to catch him.

An update on yesterday’s losses: they were more than paid off today.

After Robinho’s early strike from a straight forward ball through the middle of the park, you could have thought Brazil were going to cruise into the semi final. During a dominant first half, Brazil failed to increase their 1 goal advantage against a Dutch side that lacked ideas in the first half.

Half Time Oranjes Done the Trick

A game of two halves was one way to describe this match, as Brazil became the lacklustre side in the second half. A Wesley Sneijder left-footed cross flicked off the head of Felipe Melo inside ten minutes of the restart with Julio Cesar completely missing with his punch attempt.

After the equaliser, Brazil never recovered. Netherlands were on top of the game and they went in front when Wesley Sneijder headed home Dirk Kuyt’s flick on from an Arjen Robben corner. Robben wasn’t as commanding in this match as expecting. Felipe Melo was well-disciplined in marking him, but fortunate not to receive a second yellow card for a foul on Robben in the second half. Shortly after, Carlos Dunga made the right decision to sub his left back.

Felipe Melo’s day would go from bad to worse in the final fifteen minutes as he was shown a straight red card for a stamp on Arjen Robben. Brazil failed to test Maarten Stekelenburg after that and the Netherlands book themselves into their first World Cup semi final since 1998.  I expect Carlos Dunga to step down as Brazil boss in the coming days.

Ghana Pay the Penalty

In the evening game, Sulley Muntari’s wonder strike on half time gave Ghana a surprise lead. After a nervous start, Uruguay allowed Ghana into the game and gave them lots of space in the middle of the park to create chances.

A sweet free kick from Diego Forlan shortly after half time drew the scores level as the game was stretched afterwards. Both teams failed to play the killer ball during the rest of normal time. Both sets of players made a tired start to extra time, 3 Ghana players staying down on the floor to get a breather during the first half. That was not the case in the second half of extra time as Ghana showed more energy. And in stoppage time they had the perfect chance to win it when Luis Suarez was sent off to a handball on the goal line to prevent Ghana winning. Asamoah Gyan, with the last kick of the game could have won it, but blasted his penalty off the top of the bar. The second penalty shootout of this tournament awaited.

Diego Forlan coolly slotted away the opening kick before Asamoah Gyan showed great courage in stepping up to take Ghana’s first. He converted it in style, placing it into the top corner, above Fernando Muslera’s dive. But it would be the Uruguayan keeper who would have the last laugh as he saved two tame penalties from John Mensah and Dominic Adiyiah. The Lazio goalkeeper dived the right way on all four spot kicks he faced, making contact with the ball on three of them. Sebastian Abreu would cheekily dink the deciding spot kick down the middle and book Uruguay’s place in the semi final, to face Netherlands. Luis Suarez will miss that match but will be back from suspension to play in Uruguay’s final match, whether it be the final or third-place playoff.

The worst day for me so far during this World Cup, having backed both Brazil and Uruguay to win in 90 minutes. It takes away some of the large profit made from this competition. Hopefully I can make it back tomorrow.