EL SEGUNDO, CA (smt) - The bookies scrambled to revise the odds of winning the World Cup and before the quarterfinals, Brazil saw an improvement from 13/2 to 3/1, Germany nudging to 10/1 from 12/1, and longshots Turkey (30/1 from 80/1) and South Korea (50/1 from 150/1) seeing their odds cut by about one-third. Now as the semifinals roll along, all four teams are now under 10/1 odds with Brazil (8/13) the big favorite and Turkey (8/1), Brazil's opponent, the longshot. Well, two European teams and a South American team are in the semis, although not really the three people thought would be there with France, Spain, England, Italy, Portugal, and Argentina the more likely semifinalists. Co-host South Korea, again demonstrating what the home soil can do for your psyche, is still riding their sea of red supporters (and the refs).

SEMIFINAL # 1 (Tue): GERMANY - SOUTH KOREA , Seoul, Korea Republic, 4:30 am PDT

1D-South Korea (4-0-1) will try to continue their incredible run when they face their fourth straight European power in 1E-Germany (4-0-1). In what could mirror the Germany-USA match, the Germans will control the air while their opponent will control most of the ball possession. And if South Korea thought USA GK Brad Friedel was tough, German GK Oliver Kahn (0.20 GAA) will be even harder to score upon. Then again, South Korea will also have to hope the officiating continues to go their way (or as Italy and Spain see it, "The Conspiracy!") and then take advantage of their breaks. Germany has not been impressive (scoring just five goals since their 8 goal outburst vs Saudi Arabia) but with their fourth World Cup title within reach, look for Germany to put the Koreans to bed as early as they can so that the refs won't make a difference. Plus, Korea has played at least 117 minutes in each of their last two matches and will have one less day of rest and will play their third match in 8 days while it'll be Germany's third match in 11 days. My mind says GER 2:0 KOR, but the conspiracy buff in me says GER 1:2 KOR in overtime.

SEMIFINAL # 2 (Wed): BRAZIL - TURKEY, Saitama, Japan, 4:30 am PDT

In what should also be a great match, Group C teams 1C-Brazil (5-0) and 2C-Turkey (3-1-1) will once again face each other. In the opening match for both teams, Brazil and Turkey were tangled in a 1-1 tie until Luizao was pulled down just outside the penalty box. Unfortunately, the ref ruled he was in the box and Rivaldo converted an 87th minute PK to win it. Fueling Turkey's fire even more was Rivaldo's acting after getting hit by the ball in the leg (he held his face) by Hakan Unsal's frustrated kick. Rivaldo was not suspsended as they had hoped but just fined. Turkey will be trying to avenge their only loss of the tournament in this rematch. Brazil has scored at least two goals in each of their five matches led by Rivaldo's goal a match and Ronaldo's five tallies. Ronaldinho, with two goals, will miss the match due to an undeserved red card picked up vs England. Turkey has scored at least one goal in each of their five matches (and in each of their 12 qualifying matches). That alone means a 1-1 tie with Brazil winning in overtime on Rivaldo's scoring in his sixth straight match.

In the pool, two upsets and BERNISAM UNITED FC takes first place otherwise the other two fronts (FLYING ELVI with Germany winning it all and the Brazilian hopefuls PUNA, DANNY BOY, and DIMPLES) will take the money. HOOTY MCBOOB and LUIS ENRIQUE'S ARMADA will also hope to follow BERNISAM to money as they all cannot pick up any more points. This will be one interesting finish.

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The home stretch...
Scott HW