Spain and Netherlands progress to the Final!!

The semis produced the results we were expecting and the matches that we were expecting but still they were an interesting watch.

Best Goalkeeper: Fernando Muslera - Despite letting in three goals, he played quite well and can feel slightly unfortunate to have conceded so many goals.

Best Defender: Johnny Heitinga - Played a great game and never looked in any trouble. Very composed on the ball, if he performs like this then the Dutch might just have a shot.

Best Midfielder: Xavi Hernandez - This award could have gone to a number of players as there was no stand out midfielder in any of the games. Xavi's passing was a joy to behold and his corner was ultimately what undid Germany.

Best Striker: Robin van Persie - Showed that he really is one of the world's best footballers as even when he doesn't score he is still so effective in the lone striker role. He teed up two teammates for goals against Uruguay but they both missed and was a big reason why the Dutch were able to progress through to the final.

Best Match: Uruguay 2 - 3 Netherlands - This was a match packed full of goals which could have swung either way. Had some wonderful goals and great play, both teams have very similar make ups: talented attacking players with battling defensive midfielders holding the fort behind them.

Worst Match: Germany 0 - 1 Spain - I was disappointed with Germany's lack of composure as they are normally very efficient with the chances they work for themselves. The better team progressed through to the final.

Surprise Player: Diego Godin - Thought he might get found out and whilst he is not the quickest player, he certainly positioned himself well to deal with van Persie on numerous occasions and made sure the Dutch striker did not score.

Best Manager: Vincente del Bosque - His team looked in total control of the ball as Spain always do but the team relied on a set piece to get them through. I don't know what Loew could have done differently but I think this was always the more likely result.

Team of the Round:

-------------------- Muslera --------------------------

Ramos----Heitinga--------- Godin ---- van Bronckhorst

Iniesta-------Xavi-----------Alonso-------van der Vaart

-------------Forlan----------van Persie----------------

Predictions

Golden Boot: David Villa (Unchanged) - I think David Villa has a great chance to grab the golden boot, as he will be cutting in from the left and should be able to breeze past a flat-footed Khalid Boulahrouz, though his finishing looked slightly less incisive than usual against Germany. Forlan, Mueller, Klose and Suarez all have a chance of finishing above Villa. If there is a tie at the top, the winner goes to the player with the most assists.

Player of the Tournament: Diego Forlan (Previously Schweinsteiger) - I think Schweinsteiger was the best German player in the Semi Finals and probably for the whole tournament but Forlan has been the attacking catalyst for Uruguay in these championships and has been fantastic. I personally would like to see the Golden Ball handed to Schweinsteiger or Özil but I think it will be given to Forlan.

Winners: Spain (Unchanged) - They haven't lit up the World Cup like many pundits were predicting but it is easy to see why they are worthy champions. They keep the ball better than any national team I have ever seen and they remain patient, almost like the believe they will score during every match. I do not give Netherlands much of a chance but they do have a hardy midfield with the likes of van Bommel and De Jong.

Surprise Team: None (Previously Netherlands) - There were no real surprises in the semis as I think most people expected Holland and Spain to progress to the final.

Overperformers: Uruguay (Previously Paraguay) - Whilst they were an outside tip to be successful in this tournament, few expected Uruguay to be as exciting or effective as they were. They have a great balance to their team and they are perhaps one truly gifted central midfielder away from being one of the best teams on the planet.

Underperformers: None (previously Argentina) - There are no underperformers when you reach the semi finals of the World Cup. Germany were perhaps the most disappointing team but I think that is because they achieved so much beforehand and are most probably the only team in the world who are capable of beating Spain. They will only get better as time goes on and they are able to gel; if anyone is able to knock Spain off their throne in future years it will be this new-look German team.