2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Semi-finals

So it has come down to the final three in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.  Today was the first match pitting the last remaining South American hope for a Finals berth, in Uruguay, after heavyweights Brazil and Argentina dramatically crashed out in the Quarter-finals over the weekend.  The Netherlands played to 1-1 at HT then the Oranje scored in rapid succession with goals from Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben to make it 3-1.  The Churrúas managed to pull one back in ET but it was little to late as they failed to advance cementing the fact that the World Champion will hail from Europe, arguably the strongest footballing region in the world.

Tomorrow the other Semi-final between Germany and Spain will be, as the English like to call it, "a real cracker!"  Germany dismantled what many thought was the true South American world-class side, Argentina, led by the iconic-legend Diego Maradona.  The Germans led by Thomas Müller and Miroslav Klose showed the world who the real world-class side was as they ripped apart the Argentine defensive back four.  Spain's hard-fought win over South American surprise Paraguay was, by many accounts a bore-fest until David Villa's impressive form during the World Cup™ shown through as he picked up his fifth goal tying him with Wesley Sneijder as top scorers of the tournament.

When the United States and England both crashed out of the tournament in the Round of 16 the Netherlands became my favorite to win.  The Oranje have a history with Manchester United with three players having played or currently playing with them.  Jaap Stam was the first followed by one of my favorites Ruud van Nistelrooy and of course arguably one of the greatest and current United goalkeeper, Edwin van der Sar.  Van Nistelrooy was probably the main catalyst in beginning my interest with the Red Devils as chronicled here: http://bit.ly/9ywWsy