BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER, GERMANY. The Germans looked dreadful for most of their 3-2 semifinal victory over Turkey, but Schweinsteiger's classy finish to equalize at 1-1 was highly impressive.

WHAT WE LEARNED WEDNESDAY

1. That there will be some harsh words spoken by Germany coach Joachim Loew over the next couple of days. Loew will be delighted at being one game away from winning 2008, but he will know that dramatic improvement will be needed on Sunday.

2. That Turkey truly was the bravest team in Euro 2008. With so many players injured or suspended, it must have been tempting for Fatih Terim's team to take a negative and defensive approach. Instead, they took the game to Germany and were unlucky to end up losers.

WHAT WE WANT TO SEE THURSDAY

1. To see how Spain plans on curtailing the impact of Russia's brilliant Andrei Arshavin. Holland and Sweden couldn't do it. Don't be surprised if Cesc Fabregas is used in a man-marking role in an attempt to deny Arshavin space.

2. No more of the storm-caused technical problems that robbed millions of fans around the world of visual footage for several minutes of the first semifinal. Unavoidable I guess, but deeply unfortunate.

BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER, GERMANY. The Germans looked dreadful for most of their 3-2 semifinal victory over Turkey, but Schweinsteiger's classy finish to equalize at 1-1 was highly impressive.

WHAT WE LEARNED WEDNESDAY

1. That there will be some harsh words spoken by Germany coach Joachim Loew over the next couple of days. Loew will be delighted at being one game away from winning 2008, but he will know that dramatic improvement will be needed on Sunday.

2. That Turkey truly was the bravest team in Euro 2008. With so many players injured or suspended, it must have been tempting for Fatih Terim's team to take a negative and defensive approach. Instead, they took the game to Germany and were unlucky to end up losers.

WHAT WE WANT TO SEE THURSDAY

1. To see how Spain plans on curtailing the impact of Russia's brilliant Andrei Arshavin. Holland and Sweden couldn't do it. Don't be surprised if Cesc Fabregas is used in a man-marking role in an attempt to deny Arshavin space.

2. No more of the storm-caused technical problems that robbed millions of fans around the world of visual footage for several minutes of the first semifinal. Unavoidable I guess, but deeply unfortunate.

IKER CASILLAS, SPAIN. The Real Madrid goalkeeper did not deserve to end up on the losing side against Italy and continued his impressive tournament with two key shootout saves in Spain's dramatic quarterfinal win.

WHAT WE LEARNED SUNDAY

1. That superstition and coincidence can be conquered. In its history, Spain had lost three times on penalties on the date of June 22 and there were millions of nervous souls back home when the quarterfinal went to a shootout. But Luis Aragones's side held its nerve to book a place in the last four.

2. That Italy's exit from the tournament is a relief to all neutral fans. Sorry Italy supporters, but your team was horribly defensive on Sunday and deserved what it got. It is one thing for teams with no talent to operate with a defensive mindset, but for a side with as much ability as Roberto Donadoni's men, there is no excuse.

WHAT WE WANT TO SEE FROM THE TWO REST DAYS

1. For UEFA to allow Turkey special dispensation to bring in an extra player. The latest injury, to key striker Nihat Kahveci, leaves the Turks facing the ludicrous situation of entering their semifinal with only 13 fit players.

2. A cure for soccer withdrawal symptoms. This thrilling tournament has captivated soccer fans with a non-stop diet of matches for 16 days in a row. It's only two days without a game, but we can't wait for it to start again with two enthralling semifinals.

IKER CASILLAS, SPAIN. The Real Madrid goalkeeper did not deserve to end up on the losing side against Italy and continued his impressive tournament with two key shootout saves in Spain's dramatic quarterfinal win.

WHAT WE LEARNED SUNDAY

1. That superstition and coincidence can be conquered. In its history, Spain had lost three times on penalties on the date of June 22 and there were millions of nervous souls back home when the quarterfinal went to a shootout. But Luis Aragones's side held its nerve to book a place in the last four.

2. That Italy's exit from the tournament is a relief to all neutral fans. Sorry Italy supporters, but your team was horribly defensive on Sunday and deserved what it got. It is one thing for teams with no talent to operate with a defensive mindset, but for a side with as much ability as Roberto Donadoni's men, there is no excuse.

WHAT WE WANT TO SEE FROM THE TWO REST DAYS

1. For UEFA to allow Turkey special dispensation to bring in an extra player. The latest injury, to key striker Nihat Kahveci, leaves the Turks facing the ludicrous situation of entering their semifinal with only 13 fit players.

2. A cure for soccer withdrawal symptoms. This thrilling tournament has captivated soccer fans with a non-stop diet of matches for 16 days in a row. It's only two days without a game, but we can't wait for it to start again with two enthralling semifinals.

ANDREI ARSHAVIN, RUSSIA. If Real Madrid is prepared to pay up to $150 million to Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo, then Arshavin could be a bargain for someone at a quarter of the price. The Netherlands never came up with a suitable answer for the brilliantly creative Arshavin, whose cleverly weighted cross set up the second goal. He capped off a memorable 3-1 victory by scoring the third himself.

WHAT WE LEARNED SATURDAY

1. That winning your group means nothing at Euro 2008. For the third night in a row, a group winner was bounced out of the tournament and all Holland's wonderful effort in the Group of Death was wasted.

2. That Guus Hiddink is a tactical genius. OK, we knew that already, but few expected his Russian side to out-think and out-play the Dutch so comprehensively. His accomplishments with Russia add yet another line to Hiddink's glittering resume.

WHAT WE WANT TO SEE SUNDAY

1. To see a classic battle between two great football nations with Spain's attacking flair against Italy's experience and technical ability. Enjoy.

2. To see whether Sergio Ramos' head is in the right place for a European Championship quarterfinal. Ramos' attitude has been questioned by head coach Luis Aragones, who wants to drop him from the starting lineup but believes he is the best man to handle Italian striker Luca Toni.

ANDREI ARSHAVIN, RUSSIA. If Real Madrid is prepared to pay up to $150 million to Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo, then Arshavin could be a bargain for someone at a quarter of the price. The Netherlands never came up with a suitable answer for the brilliantly creative Arshavin, whose cleverly weighted cross set up the second goal. He capped off a memorable 3-1 victory by scoring the third himself.

WHAT WE LEARNED SATURDAY

1. That winning your group means nothing at Euro 2008. For the third night in a row, a group winner was bounced out of the tournament and all Holland's wonderful effort in the Group of Death was wasted.

2. That Guus Hiddink is a tactical genius. OK, we knew that already, but few expected his Russian side to out-think and out-play the Dutch so comprehensively. His accomplishments with Russia add yet another line to Hiddink's glittering resume.

WHAT WE WANT TO SEE SUNDAY

1. To see a classic battle between two great football nations with Spain's attacking flair against Italy's experience and technical ability. Enjoy.

2. To see whether Sergio Ramos' head is in the right place for a European Championship quarterfinal. Ramos' attitude has been questioned by head coach Luis Aragones, who wants to drop him from the starting lineup but believes he is the best man to handle Italian striker Luca Toni.

SEMIH SENTURK, TURKEY. With the final kick of extra time, Senturk wriggled clear of his defenders and sent a left-footed shot scorching into the top corner for one of the most dramatic moments in European Championship history.

WHAT WE LEARNED FRIDAY

1. That Turkey never, ever, knows when to quit. Ivan Klasnic's 119th-minute header should have knocked the stuffing out of Fatih Terim's team, but this group of players fights to the bitter end and pulled off another miraculous comeback.

2. That even the "boring" games of this tournament are fantastic. Compared to the entertainment of the past fortnight, the first 118 minutes of the Croatia-Turkey quarterfinal were relatively dull. But what happened defied belief.

WHAT WE WANT TO SEE SATURDAY

1. To see if Holland can repeat its superb performances from the group stage. Marco van Basten's team has been a pleasure to watch and has been adopted by the Swiss public after the co-hosts went out.

2. To see what Andrei Arshavin has up his sleeve next. The little Russian was sensational against Sweden to take his team into the last eight, but Holland will be a tougher prospect.

SEMIH SENTURK, TURKEY. With the final kick of extra time, Senturk wriggled clear of his defenders and sent a left-footed shot scorching into the top corner for one of the most dramatic moments in European Championship history.

WHAT WE LEARNED FRIDAY

1. That Turkey never, ever, knows when to quit. Ivan Klasnic's 119th-minute header should have knocked the stuffing out of Fatih Terim's team, but this group of players fights to the bitter end and pulled off another miraculous comeback.

2. That even the "boring" games of this tournament are fantastic. Compared to the entertainment of the past fortnight, the first 118 minutes of the Croatia-Turkey quarterfinal were relatively dull. But what happened defied belief.

WHAT WE WANT TO SEE SATURDAY

1. To see if Holland can repeat its superb performances from the group stage. Marco van Basten's team has been a pleasure to watch and has been adopted by the Swiss public after the co-hosts went out.

2. To see what Andrei Arshavin has up his sleeve next. The little Russian was sensational against Sweden to take his team into the last eight, but Holland will be a tougher prospect.

BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER, GERMANY. The standout performer in a ruthless and efficient German effort, Schweinsteiger hit the ground running and helped his team grab an early stranglehold in a 3-2 quarterfinal victory over Portugal.

WHAT WE LEARNED THURSDAY

1. That Portugal cannot defend set plays. Big Phil Scolari's team was exciting to watch and electric going forward, but defensive lapses robbed them of the chance to go on and challenge for the title.

2. That those Germans are up to their old tricks again. When the going gets tough, they get going and they love nothing more than to prove the doubters wrong. Michael Ballack did push Paolo Ferreira for the third goal, but Germany deserved the win.

WHAT WE WANT TO SEE FRIDAY

1. An end-to-end encounter between two fiery and entertaining teams. Croatia cruised through Group B, while Turkey staged a dramatic comeback in clinching a quarterfinal place. Neither team will hold back.

2. Some clarity from Cristiano Ronaldo on his future. He said he would talk further about his possible move from Manchester United to Real Madrid once his tournament was over. Now's the time.

BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER, GERMANY. The standout performer in a ruthless and efficient German effort, Schweinsteiger hit the ground running and helped his team grab an early stranglehold in a 3-2 quarterfinal victory over Portugal.

WHAT WE LEARNED THURSDAY

1. That Portugal cannot defend set plays. Big Phil Scolari's team was exciting to watch and electric going forward, but defensive lapses robbed them of the chance to go on and challenge for the title.

2. That those Germans are up to their old tricks again. When the going gets tough, they get going and they love nothing more than to prove the doubters wrong. Michael Ballack did push Paolo Ferreira for the third goal, but Germany deserved the win.

WHAT WE WANT TO SEE FRIDAY

1. An end-to-end encounter between two fiery and entertaining teams. Croatia cruised through Group B, while Turkey staged a dramatic comeback in clinching a quarterfinal place. Neither team will hold back.

2. Some clarity from Cristiano Ronaldo on his future. He said he would talk further about his possible move from Manchester United to Real Madrid once his tournament was over. Now's the time.