Having said that I’ve had my anorak tendency sated and am happy to resume abnormal service for the hopefully goal packed semis.

Me too. I’m hopeful for both games. Russia v Spain should be a cracker - even though semis rarely are. The only thing that could threaten to spoil it would be Russian nerves. If they play with the same energy and verve as they did against Holland then it can’t be anything but captivating (as Spain will, surely, do their bit).

Turkey v Germany could end up being either a) a hefty German win, or, b) a 1-0 German win (in extra time, after the Turks have put everyone and everything behind the ball).

I hope not though. I reckon Turkey’s only chance, given the severe depletion of the squad, is to just have a go and tear into them. They’ll never hold a team as physically fit and well-drilled as the Germans for 120 minutes.

It was almost enjoyable to get a tense, dour, grinding bit of knock-out football after the terrific fireworks we’ve enjoyed. Like a spell of rain after a week of sun.

Exactly. It wouldn’t be a tournament without one of these matches. Having said that I’ve had my anorak tendency sated and am happy to resume abnormal service for the hopefully goal packed semis.

From a Liverpool perspective its interesting to note which quintessential Spanish qualities Rafa has retained and which he’s discarded.

I felt the Spanish overplayed and criminally wasted the speed and direct qualities of Torres.

If the Spanish had been prepared to move more quickly from defence to attack I think the older Italian players might’ve cracked under the pressure.

Spain’s mistake was (I reckon) to be initially too measured in their build up and then (with time running out) becoming panicked into shots from distance. Quick one-twos and lots of movement were about the only things that would (eventually) have tired the Italians out. Italy were more than happy to give them oodles of possession in deep midfield positions because they knew they were perfectly capable of dealing with the patient approach.

Ace tournament though. Last nights chess match may have been the ghost of tournaments past but the majority of the encounters have been the stuff of legend.

It was almost enjoyable to get a tense, dour, grinding bit of knock-out football after the terrific fireworks we’ve enjoyed. Like a spell of rain after a week of sun.

Sadly he got 5 minutes and the dull as dishwater Simone Perotta 115. Functional dull football, scarily for Spain though it almost worked, you’d have to fancy the Germans to test the aerial vulnerability that Toni failed to exploit.

Ace tournament though. Last nights chess match may have been the ghost of tournaments past but the majority of the encounters have been the stuff of legend.