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...but will it last?
I think Angela Merkel and Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero should put a litte wager on the match. If Spain wins, Germany bails the country out...and if they lose, well, Hasta la vista, baby.
I think Angela Merkel and Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero should put a litte wager on the match. If Spain wins, Germany bails the country out...and if they lose, well, Hasta la vista, baby.
Lovefest ahead of Spain-Germany semi
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 6, 2010 | 7:55 PM ET
By John F. Molinaro in Durban, South Africa, CBC Sports
Spain and Germany must be the co-presidents of the World Cup’s mutual admiration society.
How else to explain the teams’ final press conference ahead of their semifinal showdown Wednesday at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 1:30 pm ET)?
For close to an hour on Tuesday, managers and players from both sides were positively gushing and lavishing praise on one another, while at the same time maintaining the other was the team to beat.
"I’ve gone on record before as saying that Spain is the best team, with the best attacking power," German coach Joachim Loew said.
"They've been together for a very long time, so they know each other inside out. As far as Spain is concerned, they hardly make any mistakes ever."
Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta was just as glowing in his assessment of the Germans.
"They have been brilliant at this World Cup so far," said the FC Barcelona star.
And so it went on, with Spain manager Vicente del Bosque and midfielder Xabi Alonso extolling the virtues of the Germans, and Loew throwing more compliments towards the Spaniards...
...The Germans were out-played and out-muscled in the Vienna final two years ago, as La Roja claimed its first major international title since winning the European Championship on home soil in 1964.
But a lot has changed since the sides clashed in the Austrian capital, including a massive overhaul to Loew’s squad, which has seen him bring in 14 new players from the side that competed at Euro 2008.
“Spain at Euro was the better team but I think that has now changed. We have proved ourselves here and have improved. However, I still think they are the favourites,” Loew stated...
...La Roja came into the tournament as the No. 2-ranked team in the world, and have such attacking depth that Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas, one of the top midfielders in the Premiership, can’t crack the starting lineup.
Del Bosque can also rely on the in-form David Villa, who is in a tie for first place as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals in South Africa...
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 6, 2010 | 7:55 PM ET
By John F. Molinaro in Durban, South Africa, CBC Sports
Spain and Germany must be the co-presidents of the World Cup’s mutual admiration society.
How else to explain the teams’ final press conference ahead of their semifinal showdown Wednesday at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 1:30 pm ET)?
For close to an hour on Tuesday, managers and players from both sides were positively gushing and lavishing praise on one another, while at the same time maintaining the other was the team to beat.
"I’ve gone on record before as saying that Spain is the best team, with the best attacking power," German coach Joachim Loew said.
"They've been together for a very long time, so they know each other inside out. As far as Spain is concerned, they hardly make any mistakes ever."
Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta was just as glowing in his assessment of the Germans.
"They have been brilliant at this World Cup so far," said the FC Barcelona star.
And so it went on, with Spain manager Vicente del Bosque and midfielder Xabi Alonso extolling the virtues of the Germans, and Loew throwing more compliments towards the Spaniards...
...The Germans were out-played and out-muscled in the Vienna final two years ago, as La Roja claimed its first major international title since winning the European Championship on home soil in 1964.
But a lot has changed since the sides clashed in the Austrian capital, including a massive overhaul to Loew’s squad, which has seen him bring in 14 new players from the side that competed at Euro 2008.
“Spain at Euro was the better team but I think that has now changed. We have proved ourselves here and have improved. However, I still think they are the favourites,” Loew stated...
...La Roja came into the tournament as the No. 2-ranked team in the world, and have such attacking depth that Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas, one of the top midfielders in the Premiership, can’t crack the starting lineup.
Del Bosque can also rely on the in-form David Villa, who is in a tie for first place as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals in South Africa...
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