All the day's drama was in Berlin where Germany beat Argentina on penalties, while Italy can hardly have expected such a safe passage to the semi-finals. With home advantage, the Germans (my tips!) must surely fancy their chances against anyone and they are clearly on course for a vengeance mission clash with Brazil in the final. Only an Oliver Kahn brainstorm enabled Brazil to make the breakthrough in Yokahama four years ago. Who would bet against Dida returning the favour in Berlin on July 9?
Mind you, for long periods Argentina looked capable of killing the German dream stone-dead. In a disappointing first half, it was the Argies who looked to be playing well within themselves and, with artists like Saviola and Messi on the bench, they had the capability of injecting new impetus into their game if the Germans edged ahead.
The game needed a goal but, when Ayala headed home Riquelme's corner four minutes after the interval, I feared the wrong team had got it. I now expected them to cleverly keep the ball, knocking it around and having the Germans chasing shadows, with the magic of Messi being brought into play for the latter stages to cash in on German desperation. I didn't think Germany were capable of changing the shape of the game.
But full marks to Jurgen Klinsmann for shaking things up. The introduction of the pace of David Odonkor on the right to run at the already booked Juan Pablo Sorin breathed new life into the team. Strikers Klose and Podolski were strangely quiet and Michael Ballack appeared to be nursing an injury but, with Odonkor stretching the Argies at every opportunity, you felt that they would get at least one chance.
I've never fancied Boca Juniors keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri and when he came for a cross like a big lassie, then rolled around on the carpet, I didn't know whether he was time-wasting or just feeling sorry for himself. It mattered not for he was promptly subbed by Leo Franco and the Germans promptly set out to test the new keeper, only to fail to get a shot on target or a cross into a dangerous area.
The equaliser came not a moment too soon for Germany. The crowd seemed to be turning against them and loud whistles echoed all around the ground when Podolski blasted a long range free-kick into orbit when a wee chip into the box might have been more productive. Not long afterwards Bayern Munich's new signing got the hook and finally, ten minutes from the end, Germany got the equaliser when Klose instantly came alive, meeting a touch from sub Barowski to head into the corner of the net.
Thereafter, Germany always looked the likelier winners and, when an extra half-hour couldn't separate the sides, it was down to the German speciality, penalty kicks. Four kicks, four goals, Lehman saved from Ayala and Cambiasso, and Germany were in the semis. Within seconds the beep-beep of a text from my big pal The Koelsch broke my concentration.
"Penalties: Made in Germany!" he said. It was their fourth shoot-out encounter in World Cup history (previously v France 1982, v Mexico 1986, v England 1990) and their fourth victory. Italy will certainly be hoping Tuesday's semi-final doesn't come down to penalties. Like England and Holland, they seem to have a mental block when it comes down to football's very own version of Russian Roulette.
There was no need for any unnecessary drama in Hamburg as the Italians ruthlessly blew Ukraine away. Just as it was in Berlin, I felt the wrong team got the opening goal when Zambrotta fired in a 20-yarder which somehow eluded goalkeeper Shovkovskiy. I now expected Italy to sit back on their lead, pull the Ukrainians on to the sucker punch and kill them off.
Ukrainian coach Oleg Blokhin must have done a bit of effing and blinding during the half-time break for his team suddenly started to cause their opponents problems. Gusin forced a fine save from Buffon, then saw an effort cleared off the line by Zambrotta. Were they about to punish Italy for not having been positive enough when on top. I wish!
In the 59th minute Luca Toni made it 2-0 with a close-range header then, after Gusin had seen a header rebound from the Italian crossbar, Toni again struck to kill the game with a tap-in after good work by Zambrotta. Zambrotta and Toni were Italy's goal heroes but yet again Rino Gattuso was the main man. Having taken an early knock, there were fears he would be subbed but the wee man was having none of it, he was everywhere when needed and, only when the game was safe, was he finally replaced, undoubtedly to save him for Tuesday's showdown in Dortmund.
So neither game really scaled the heights in terms of top quality football but, with Brazil v France to look forward to tomorrow, I'm quite happy to wait. With a wee bit of flute-tooting and drum-beating as pre-match entertainment, what more could I ask for? I'm afraid England v Portugal Reserves doesn't really appeal to me.
LITTLE BOY BLUE