The 2006 FIFA World Cup Semi-finals

As Germany threatens to run out of beer for the World Cup finals, a calamity by anyone’s standards, we should not get ahead of ourselves by worrying about this beer shortage, nor of how it will affect toasting the eventual winners and the overall celebrations at the finals match in Berlin, Germany. But rather, we should first contemplate the semi-finalists, and at least try to determine who will actually make the journey to  to contend for the privilege of raising the FIFA World Cup. So, let us take a look at some of the odds that are in full swing with BetUS.com.

 

team is playing to a home crowd whose fervor just may be the momentum needed to spur the Germans on to a glorious finals match. But, then again, Germany holds a rather demoralizing record against Italy. In seventeen matches since 2000, Germany has not once defeated Italy - one of the world’s leading football nations. So the obvious question is - can Germany overcome its recent history against Italy?  Will it be in this match, in this phase of the finals and on this international stage, that Germany will defy all the odds to set a new destiny for itself against Italy? Certainly it is not going out on a limb to believe that Germany can win this match. In fact they should win, and I would predict that they will win. Germany’s squad is a talented blend of youth and experience that, under the auspices of Jurgen Klinsmann - one of the world’s best footballers, - has united as one, to play some passionate and outstanding football. It is this unity and harmony displayed by the German squad that may very well be the determining factor that will help them overcome the intimidating Italians.

 

On the other hand, Italy brings to the 2006 World Cup a first-rate team that is intent on its determination to advance to the finals match in Berlin. Arguably, it’s best  As long as the Italians can keep it together, they are still true contenders and a team that does have the potential to halt the Germans progress to Berlin. Opening on the money line at (+200), and subsequently moving to (+190), Italy is only marginally the underdog in this match-up.

 

It should also go without saying that this will be a top-class event in that it will exhibit the outstanding goalkeeping of both Gianluigi Buffon and Jens Lehmann – both of whom have been spectacular for their respective teams this summer. For this reason alone – a showdown between the two great goalkeepers, - the match could play to the draw in the first 90 minutes, making the draw bet opening at (+190) a reasonable consideration.