Podolski determined to claim revenge for 2008

Lukas Podolski has billed the World Cup semi-final against Spain as a perfect opportunity for Germany to avenge their Euro 2008 final defeat by the Spaniards.

Fernando Torres’s strike gave Spain a 1-0 win in the final in Vienna two years ago and Podolski, one of the German veterans of that defeat, would love nothing more than the opportunity to turn the tables on La Roja.

“I leave it up to you in the media to decide who the favourites are for tomorrow,” the Cologne forward told reporters ahead of the two countries reunion here on Wednesday. “It would have made a great final — our revenge for 2008.”

Podolski, who was head-butted by Spain striker David Silva during the 2008 final in an incident missed by the match officials, added: “Of course, whenever you get to final you want to win it and it still hurts now.

“But now we have a great opportunity to get to another final with a win against Spain and we will do everything in our power to get there.”

Germany go into the match with their confidence sky-high after scoring four goals in both their knockout stage victories, over England and Argentina.

Podolski shrugged off a suggestion by Argentina coach Diego Maradona that his side had done more to try and win their game with the Germans playing on the counter-attack.

“If you go down 4-0 in a quarter final, it is understandable to look for excuses,” Podolski said. “If we continue to play as we did against England and Argentina, I think we stand a good chance against Spain.

“It will be a tight one, but we all hope and are confident we can win it.”