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Durban - Germany will be looking to reach World Cup final number eight when they take on Spain in the second semi-final of the 2010 finals in Durban on Wednesday.
Spain will be looking to reach the final for the very first time after becoming European champions two years ago.
Both teams have the players and the pedigree to come out on top, and it will come down to the individual battles to see who prevails.
Here is a look at the key battles which are set to unfold.
Mertesacker v Villa
Mertesacker has been a rock at the back for Germany so far and will be looking to continue his impressive form when he takes on the tournament top goalscorer David Villa. However, Villa will be more than confident of finding the net for a sixth time in as many appearances and his pace and movement could cause major problems for the experienced Werder Bremen centre-half.
Ozil v Busquets
Ozil has shown so far he has undoubted talent and if he is given time on the ball he can cause major problems with his dribbling, passing and surging forward runs, just as he did against England and Argentina. Busquets will be vital to his team's performance on Wednesday night, taking up the holding role in midfield, picking up Ozil which should allow flair players such as Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas to get forward.
Klose v Pique
Klose, who only scored three league goals at Bayern Munich last season, has been in fine form so far this tournament, netting four goals. The experienced frontman may lack pace but his clever movement, aerial ability, tireless work-rate and quality finishing will leave Pique with a lot of work to do. Pique has looked reliable so far for his side but has not faced a striker of Klose's quality until now.
Spain will be looking to reach the final for the very first time after becoming European champions two years ago.
Both teams have the players and the pedigree to come out on top, and it will come down to the individual battles to see who prevails.
Here is a look at the key battles which are set to unfold.
Mertesacker v Villa
Mertesacker has been a rock at the back for Germany so far and will be looking to continue his impressive form when he takes on the tournament top goalscorer David Villa. However, Villa will be more than confident of finding the net for a sixth time in as many appearances and his pace and movement could cause major problems for the experienced Werder Bremen centre-half.
Ozil v Busquets
Ozil has shown so far he has undoubted talent and if he is given time on the ball he can cause major problems with his dribbling, passing and surging forward runs, just as he did against England and Argentina. Busquets will be vital to his team's performance on Wednesday night, taking up the holding role in midfield, picking up Ozil which should allow flair players such as Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas to get forward.
Klose v Pique
Klose, who only scored three league goals at Bayern Munich last season, has been in fine form so far this tournament, netting four goals. The experienced frontman may lack pace but his clever movement, aerial ability, tireless work-rate and quality finishing will leave Pique with a lot of work to do. Pique has looked reliable so far for his side but has not faced a striker of Klose's quality until now.
