The second semifinal of the South Africa World Cup 2010 is on July 7, in the east port city of Durban between two European heavyweights, Germany and Spain, ensuring that no matter what happens, this will be an all-European World Cup final, on a foreign continent, something unprecedented.

The Flying Dutch booked their final on July 6 after a thriller with Uruguay, and they will, theoretically, have the slight advantage of having an extra day of respite before the final.

Although this is Germany's 11th appearance in the World Cup semi-finals, their style of game has changed. The old saying, that "teams play football, but Germany wins in the end" is definitely not applicable this time around. Germany, traditionally a boring and tedious side to watch in international tournaments, has produced some of the finest football in South Africa to date.

Outclassing England and destroying Argentina in the previous two rounds, they now face the flamboyant tournament favourites Spain in what appears to be a very massive clash for the right to earn a ticket to Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.

Germany enjoyed less possession in both matches against England and Argentina, but were ruthless once they got the ball. They managed 13 shots on target in those two games, eight of which produced goals.

Spain has a different problem altogether and head coach Vicente del Bosque must decide whether to vote another round of confidence on Liverpool's misfiring striker Fernando Torres who was subbed against Paraguay.

Additionally, Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas, is in doubt after injuring his right leg in training, but centre-back Carles Puyol has been given the all-clear after suffering problems with his sight.

Head to head in the World Cup format, Germany are unbeaten in three previous clashes against Spain. West Germany beat Spain 2-1 at Villa Park in a group game in 1966. They won by the same score at the Bernabeu in 1982, when the sides met in a second-round group match. Defeat eliminated the hosts, even though they had one more match to play.

Spain beat Germany in Euro 2008, their second win in eight competitive games. Previously, the Spaniards have recorded another victory over Germany, 1-0 in the group stage at the 1984 European Championship.