Spain 3, Russia 0. Spain meets Germany in the Final.

The Spainards thoroughly outplayed the Russians. Fabregas, who came on as a sub late in the first half, was the best player on the pitch and made Spain noticeably better. Not only did he assist on Spain's second and third goals, but he did a nice job of cohering Spain's possession and forward movement. He's got phenomenal futbol intelligence and vision. My boy Torres actually had a bit of weak game -- there were a few places where he should have (a) finished or (b) got off better shots than he did.

Arshavin was utterly neutralized (not sure, but I think Senna was tracking him), and with him stymied, Russia looked ordinary.

FF

Germany 3, Turkey 2; Germany goes to the Final.

I confidently predicted to my wife before the game that the "Turks had no chance." The Turks promptly came out and outplayed the Germans the entire first half. Nonetheless, the game was level 1-1 at the half, after Podolski connected with Schweinsteiger, who beat the trailing defender and onrushing keeper with a beautiful outside of the foot flick. Schweinsteiger was Germany's best player in the game. (Ballack -- who usually plays well in international matches -- was largely absent.)

Klose headed in Germany's second in the 76th minute, but the Turks -- clearly tiring as the game went on -- nonetheless scored in the 86th minute to knot it up at 2-2. Another Turkish miracle seemed to be brewing, but Andy Gray said, "Well, there's still four minutes left, the Turks left the Germans too much time." And then...Lahm (who'd had a real stinker of a game) scored in the 90th minute to win the match! The 90th minute. To go to the Euro Final. Insane.

FF