In a tournament of the magnitude of Euro 2012, the four best teams generally do not end up in the semi-finals. However, that is exactly what has happened in Poland and Ukraine.
Spain, Germany, Italy and Portugal have been easily the most enterprising teams in Euro 2012 and deserve their places in the last-four, after they got through by thoroughly dominating their quarterfinals opponents.
Spain - what more can you say about them -- are looking for a unique treble in being the first team to win the European Championship, the World Cup and the European Championship again. West Germany in 1976 came closest, but lost narrowly to Czechoslovakia in a penalty shootout, when Antonin Panenka chipped home the match-winning penalty that Andrea Pirlo emulated against England.
The defending champions have not been at their imperious best, far from it. However, they are winners now. Each member of the squad knows exactly what it takes to win a major tournament, and that will be the Spaniards' greatest strength.
A mouth-watering final between Spain and Germany lies in wait, if the two teams can get past Portugal and Italy respectively. Germany have been knocked out by Spain in the last two major tournaments, one in the final and the other in the semi-final.
But before we get into the final, let's savor the semis, why don't we.
There are so many battles that will light up the last-four. Cristiano Ronaldo will face the likes of Xabi Alonso, Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Alvaro Arbeloa, all his team-mates at Real Madrid. Add Pepe and Fabio Coentrao for Portugal, there could be as much as seven Madrid players in the starting line up of both the teams combined.
Those loyalties will be forgotten though. Friendships put in the backburner. Ramos and Alonso will try to thwart Ronaldo, who has been electrifying in the tournament so far. Iker Casillas will always have an eye on his team-mate, knowing full well his capabilities of striking the ball. There will be several Barcelona players, weaving and mesmerising the defenders, adding to the spice.
The other semi-final will see Germany try to break down Italy. The Italians are Germany's bogey team; Germany have not beaten Italy in a major tournament - ever.
Forget about history though, this is about the present. About a wonderfully carved out German team, which has entertained all lovers of soccer. The fact that Germany coach Joachim Low could make three major changes to his squad in a knockout game against the Greeks and still come out with a ridiculously easy win, shows the bench strength that exists. No squad goes deeper in quality than Germany, not even Spain.
However, Germany face a different Italian team. This is not an Italy that emphasises on Catanaccio. Italy like to play with the ball on their feet now. Not absorb pressure and hit on the counter attack.
In Andrea Pirlo, they have a player at the peak of his powers. The chief orchestrator of the Italian symphony. A player seemingly with all the time in the world to pick out pass after pass to carve open the best defences.
Spain and Germany will start favorites, and rightly so. But don't be surprised if you see Portugal taking on Italy in the final on Sunday.