3 European sides in World Cup semifinals

Associated Press

ERASMIA, South Africa

Germany coach Joachim Loew thinks the only way to beat Spain is to get them to defeat themselves.

Spain has been the most consistent national soccer team of the past two or three years, and is the favorite to win the World Cup title, Loew said Monday, two days before the Germans and Spanish meet in a tournament semifinal in Durban.

But he believes Germany can overcome any opponent, including a Spain team with a passing game he praised as a model for his own style.

“They make almost no mistakes but we have to force them into making errors,” said Loew, who devised game plans to beat England and Argentina, seizing on the teams’ defensive liabilities.

Now comes Spain, which beat Germany 1-0 in the final of the 2008 European Championship.

“We are not speaking of revenge, that hasn’t been on my mind at all,” Loew said. “We lost the final in 2008 because we were beaten by the best team of the time.

“But we have hope that we can win. For me, Spain is the favorite for the title. ... Spain has not one Messi, but several Messis who can decide a game.”

Loew was referring to Argentina star Lionel Messi, who was virtually shut out of the game when Germany routed the Albiceleste 4-0 in the quarterfinals. Germany also eliminated England 4-1 and has scored the most goals of any team in South Africa — 13.

Uruguay-Netherlands

CAPE TOWN, South Africa

The World Cup turned sour for South America in the quarterfinals. Only one team from the continent advanced — Uruguay, the least likely of all to make the final four.

Yet here the Celeste are, ready to play the Netherlands today for a spot in the World Cup final.

The last nation to make the 32-team field, needing a playoff against Costa Rica to get in, Uruguay is alive and well in South Africa.

“Uruguay is a strong side and we will have to be very concentrated,” Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk said. “They are fighters, survivors.”

Indeed. From that two-game playoff with Costa Rica to winning their first-round group and not allowing a goal, the Uruguayans have made an impressive showing.

They punctuated it with wins over South Korea 2-1 in the second round and Ghana 4-2 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw in the quarterfinals.

Tough as they have been, the Uruguayans needed the “hand of Suarez” to stay in the tournament.

Striker Luis Suarez blocked a Ghana shot with his arm at the goal line in the final seconds of extra time on Friday night. He drew a red card and is suspended for the semifinal.

Uruguay won the shootout, and Suarez was hailed as a hero back home.