Semi-Final draw..

When was the last time in any international competition the teams from the same group stage met in the semi finals? I know in my lifetime I can't remember it ever happening before the final.

I don't know. It's a horrible way to do it, because it means that if the two best teams happen to be drawn in the same half, it's impossible for them to meet in the final - the final should be potentially between any two countries.

Anyone know why they've done it like this?

Dwarf wrote:When was the last time in any international competition the teams from the same group stage met in the semi finals? I know in my lifetime I can't remember it ever happening before the final.

They always suddenly change the rules to help Germany / Brazil.

When have they ever had the rule that the WC couldn't meet the host before the final except in 2006 ?

I thought so

debaser wrote:I don't know. It's a horrible way to do it, because it means that if the two best teams happen to be drawn in the same half, it's impossible for them to meet in the final - the final should be potentially between any two countries.

Anyone know why they've done it like this?

If it has nothing to do with two teams that met in group stages last time out meeting in the final then I'd be surprised.

Brazil met Turkey in 2002 in both the group game and in the semis.