Germany
This is familiar ground for Germany, the ultimate tournament team making its third consecutive semifinal. With Der Kaiser Franz Beckenbauer looking on approvingly, this team has become the official darlings of World Cup 2010. And to think it arrived in South Africa with almost zero expectations.
Joachim Low is the 50 year-old out-of-contract genius responsible for the new Germany. He's been there and bought the T-shirt when it comes to coaching in the pressurized matches. It's obvious that he fostered an incredible team spirit and the youngsters have complete belief and confidence in their leader.
The Mannschaft have exploded, stuttered and then hit the groove (Australia 4-0, Serbia 0-1, Ghana 1-0, England 4-1 and Argentina 4-0) in this African winter, scoring a tournament-high 13 goals.
Strengths: I was expecting the usual German traits of high efficiency and tactical discipline, but instead I have been blown away by their swashbuckling attacking football. The pace, movement and intelligence of their football has surpassed expectations and I believe that they are revolutionizing the game. From the back to the front. speed of thought is key to their success.
Weaknesses: Serbia showed that Germany is not completely unbeatable. However, that increasingly looks as though it was just an off day. I think that if they have to chase the game, they may lose that shape that has served them so well to date.
Of all the teams we've seen in this tournament, Germany has played the best football on the most consistent basis. With confidence flowing, there is no reason why they shouldn't become world champions for the fourth time on July 11th.
Netherlands
The Dutch are appearing in their first World Cup semifinal since France 1998 and they are almost unrecognizable from the sexy version that lost on penalties to Brazil. In fact they're hardly Dutch at all, but they have mastered the art of winning. This may not sit well with the likes of Johann Cruyff and Ruud Gullit – with these two legends it was always about the performance with the result at times seemingly immaterial.
Bert van Marwjik, the 58 year-old coach has heard this criticism for two years and ignored it superbly while putting together a run of results that is second to none. Yes, they might not have the flair of the 1970s & '80s, but football has changed and van Marwijk has adapted with it.
Five consecutive victories against varying opposition (Denmark 2-0, Japan 1-0, Cameroon 2-1, Slovakia 2-1 & Brazil 2-1) hints at a side that also has adaptability.
Strengths: We've seen well worked free-kick routines. We've enjoyed the width and trickery that Arjen Robben supplies and marveled at how instrumental Wesley Sneijder has made himself. They've also shown character and they have experience.
Weaknesses: Defensively, Brazil made them looked shambolic in the first 45 minutes, which surprised me as they had looked quite disciplined until that match. Temperament, the old Dutch disease, reared it's ugly head when Robin van Persie lost it after being substituted.
If there is anyone who can beat the Clockwork Orange, it is more than likely going to be themselves.
Spain
This is rarified air for Spain after decades of World Cup underachievement, but isn't where they are meant to be? The current European Champions have the aura that they belong and it is their birthright to compete at this level.
At 59, Vicente del Bosque comes across as a cuddly uncle rather than a strict taskmaster. However, he may have to change his tune. It seems as though he's sending out his team with the instruction manual handed down from former coach Luis Aragones and that might not be working anymore as we witnessed against Switzerland and, to a lesser extent, Paraguay.
Spain has not overwhelmed in the Southern hemisphere (Switzerland 0-1, Honduras 2-0, Chile 2-1, Portugal 1-0 & Paraguay 1-0) but has done enough to advance without truly hitting top gear.
Strengths: It's not rocket science, but the ability to keep the ball has served Spain well. If your opponent doesn't have it, they can't score any goals. It does look pretty and chances are created. With David Villa in the form of his life, you just feel that this team will find a way.
Weaknesses: During Euro 2008, Spain looked and played at a level that no one could live with. That isn't the case in Africa. I feel as if they are slipping back into old habits of not killing teams off when they have the chance. As of today, they've not played anyone who has the belief they can take them to the cleaners.
To win the European Championship and World Cup consecutively has only been achieved by Germany and France. Spain is the bookies' favorites to make it three. They will, but only if it steps up its game.
Uruguay
Uruguay hasn’t ventured this far in a World Cup since Mexico 1970, when they were torn apart by Pele and that Brazilian team. Now labeled with the tags of cheaters, they have an image problem that won't go away even if they play with the same verve they've displayed throughout the tournament.
Oscar Tabarez is the much traveled and widely experienced 63-year-old manager who has seen it all before. I'm sure he'll relish their reviled status and use it as a motivating tool because this does seem like a very solid and together team. One only had to look at the camaraderie shown by the entire squad at the end of the Ghana epic. Tabarez will have to monkey around with his team selection though as he'll be missing his top scorer, Luis Sanchez, and the underrated Jorge Fucile through suspension.
La Celeste has not dazzled here in on the African continent (France 0-0, South Africa 3-0, Mexico 1-0, South Korea 2-1 and Ghana 1-1) but it has been the model of professional football remaining unbeaten.
Strengths: Tactically, I've been impressed with the South Americans. Going forward, they utilize their pace and excellent ball control. On set pieces, they have the weapon known as Diego Forlan, who always looks like he has a goal in him. Defensively they're quite organized and Egido Arevalo has been a brilliant shield in front of the back four.
Weaknesses: They tend to sit back and allow opponents too much time on the ball as we saw when Sulley Muntari scored for Ghana. Goals may also be a problem now that Suarez is gone and it's difficult to see who will step up and support Forlan.
Uruguay has the look and now they have the luck of a country that believes that they can reach the final.
