DURBAN, South Africa — Leave it to the Germans to make things interesting.

Spain has gone out of its way to downplay the rematch of the 2008 European Championship title game in today's World Cup semifinal, refusing to even acknowledge the grudge match factor.

Not Germany's Lukas Podolski.

"We want revenge for 2008," Podolski said Tuesday night. "When you are in a final you want to win. We still think about that defeat, and it still hurts. We want to reach the final and we'll do all we can to achieve that."

Spain ended a 44-year major title drought with its 1-0 victory over Germany two years ago — a win that wasn't nearly as close as the score indicated. But Germany is a far different team now — in age and in attitude.

Youngsters such as Mesut Oezil, Sami Khedira and Thomas Mueller have given Germany the speed and sharpness it lacked in 2008. Despite their youth — with an average age under 25, this is the second-youngest team Germany has ever sent to a World Cup — the Germans are playing with discipline and a seamless chemistry that makes their plays unfold like a symphony.

Germany made old rivals England and Argentina look downright silly in their knockout round games, routing them by a combined score of 8-1 to reach a third straight World Cup semifinal. But Spain is a more formidable foe than England.

More formidable, even, than Argentina.

The Spanish have lost all of two games since November 2006. David Villa has five goals — tied for most in the tournament with the Netherlands' Wesley Sneijder, and Spain's defense hasn't allowed a goal in the knockout stage.

Spain also caught a break Tuesday, when Cesc Fabregas was able to work out with the rest of the team. Fabregas had taken a ball off the exact spot where his leg was broken in March during practice Monday night, but tests ruled out any bone injuries and coach Vicente del Bosque said he's available for the game.