Semi-final preview: Germany v Italy

GERMANY V ITALY
Dortmund, 8pm BST (ITV1)

Klinsmann's army marches on to Dortmund where the German national team has an excellent record. Expect a tight, nervy affair as Germany's counter-attacking pace is pitted against Italy's resolute defending. The Germans have already shown that they can force sides who try to sit back (even with a lead) and it will be interesting to see how Italy approach the game. The match is a repeat of the 1982 final which Italy won 3-1, but the world has changed a lot since then. After all, Italian football was in throes of a match fixing scandal in 1982...

Team News Germany's holding midfielder Torsten Frings is harshly suspended for his involvement in the post-match fracas with Argentina forcing Klinsmann to tinker with his starting line-up for the first time since the second group match. Tim Borowski is likely to replace him. Italy will almost certainly still be without Alessandro Nesta.

Prediction Germany 0-1 Italy (aet)

Rob Parker