For the right to play the Netherlands

Who: Germany vs. Spain

What: World Cup Semifinals

Where: Durban Stadium, Durban South Africa

When: Wednesday 2:30 p.m.

Die Mannschaft vs. La Furia Roja pits the two best remaining teams in this tournament against each other for the right to play against the Netherlands in the World Cup final for the Jules Rimet Trophy. It's game worthy of a final, and in fact it's a rematch of the 2008 Euro final in which Spain won, 1-0.

How they got here:

Germany despite a little hick-up in its second match with Serbia - a 1-0 loss - won Group D fairly comfortably crushing Australia 4-0 in the game and beating Ghana 1-0 in the final game. Where this the Germans took off was against England crushing the Three Lions 4-1 despite more than a hint of controversy as Frank Lampard's seemingly tying goal was not seen to have gone over the line. However, on that day the best team clearly won. Then playing against everyone's favorite Argentina in the quarterfinals after what the Albiceleste had done through their first four games, the Germans absolutely dismantled Maradona, Messi and the Argentine crew 4-0 showing no mercy on the counter attack as they had against England and blowing onto the semifinals.

Spain like Germany had to overcome an early upset losing to Switzerland in the very first match of the tournament 1-0 despite completely dominating the match. After convincing 2-0 and 2-1 wins over Honduras and Chile, respectively, La Furia Roja was back on track and had won Group H as everyone had anticipated. It took a moment of brilliance from David Villa - tied atop the Golden Boot standings for top goalscorer of the World Cup with Wesley Sneijder with five goals - to unlock Portugal's defense despite a hint of offsides as the Spanish got by the Portuguese, 1-0 in the round of 16. Spain had another surprisingly tough challenge against Paraguay in the quarterfinals as Paraguay actually took the game to Spain and appeared to score the opening goal only to have it called back for a poor off-sides call. Villa was called upon to be the hero once again in the second half after a crazy scene of events in which both teams had a penalty kick saved. Now we will see if the pre-tournament favorite can move onto another big final.

Why you should root for them:

We'll keep it simple for Germany, who most people hate because of obvious historical reasons think both World Wars. This Germany side has been the most free flowing attacking side in the tournament scoring a World Cup best 13 goals. Additionally it's a young side that realistically if it were to win this World Cup do something special over the next couple of big tournaments and perhaps win back-to-back World Cups.

For Spain, La Furia Roja is lumped alongside the Netherlands as the two best countries never to have won the World Cup. The pre-tournament favorites after having won the Euro 2008, it took them some time to get going, the beautiful passing has led to five David Villa goals but not much else. They have terrific players, but Spain has not looked like the same team that was so dominant going 35 matches undefeated before falling to the U.S. in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup last summer. This will be the team's biggest test since maybe ever in a big match as they now enter the game as the underdogs.

Players to watch:

Germany - Bastian Schweinsteiger, Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose, Mesut Ozil

Spain - David Villa, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Ramos

For me the golden ball is down to three players Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands, Schweinsteiger, and Villa. It's tough for people that don't closely follow soccer to understand Schweinsteiger's influence on Germany - he is simply the reincarnation of Michael Ballack circa 2002, just with much better players surrounding him. It's funny too because he is only filling in that same role because Ballack was injured in his last game of his club team's season. Schweinsteigher has tremendous vision, a cannon for a shot, and has showed that he can also provide great cover in the back. Ozil however, may be the key for Germany in this match on the counter attack. With deceptive quickness and speed, along with a knack for making the incredible pass, Ozil has shown that he is one of the best players in the World in this tournament.

Villa, for me, has been the best player in this tournament. Spain has scored just six goals in this tournament, Villa has five. Spain has 35 shots on goal, Villa has 14 of them again five of which he has converted, which means every other player that has suited up for Spain has combined to score one goal on 21 shots, ouch. However, his goals have been sensational and mostly goal winners in late stages of the game. We will see what he can do without his usual striking partner Fernando Torres, who was finally pulled from the starting lineup suffering through a poor tournament after having an injury plagued season at Liverpool. Xavi is another very key player for Spain usually as the point man and Iniesta must have a big game weaving in and out of defenders if Spain are to advance.

Who is out:

Biggest absence for Germany, Thomas Muller, who is serving a 1 match suspension for a terrible yellow card. Horrible decision by the referee.

For Spain, it's Fernando Torres. He scored the lone goal in the Euro 2008 final, but his coach Vincente Del Bosque pulled him after he struggled to even get a shot on goal thus far in the tournament.

Biggest story line:

Miroslav Klose has the opportunity to become the all-time World Cup top goalscorer if he scores twice in his next two games. He is guaranteed two games even if Germany lose, as there is also the third place game. Klose has been a revelation in this tournament getting himself into good space and finding goals off great feeds from his teammates in close to goal. Don't be surprised if he passes Brazil's Ronaldo, the all-time top goalscorer with 15 goals, because of the way Germany has found him throughout this tournament.

Who is going to win:

I picked Spain before the tournament, and I still think they are one of the top two teams in remaining. I have to also be honest and divulge that Germany is my favorite team outside of the U.S. I just think Germany may have finally passed La Furia Roja with their young guns. I would have love to have seen Marko Marin take Muller's position, but Piotr Trochowski gets the call.

I think Germany with their counter attacking ability can cause lots of problems for Spain, who love to send Sergio Ramos forward up the right flank. That's where Podolski and Ozil will take advantage of Spain.

The first goal will be key, but I like Germany 3-2, same scoreline as yesterday.