I suppose it is logical. We have a European-hosted World Cup and the four semifinalists are all European.

But that is fact, not an explanation. Germany vs. Italy and France vs. Portugal will be big matches between great football nations, with maybe another surprise outcome. All four deserved to win their quarterfinals. But the World Cup expected more from some of the teams they beat.

That starts, of course, with Brazil. I had worried about Brazil’s status as such an overwhelming favorite. I had worried that nothing in the early stages had gone wrong to test the team’s morale. But Brazil also forgot a history lesson. In 1958 we beat France 5-2 in the semifinals. Since then, Brazil has had a bad record against France. France beat Brazil on penalties in the quarterfinals in 1986 in Mexico and then 3-0 as hosts in the Final in 1998 in Paris.

So, these were defeats to avenge. To do so, Brazil needed to go forward and attack. But it did not. I was amazed. Instead, after the first 20 minutes, all the attacking was done by France.

Zinedine Zidane was fantastic and I was also impressed by young Franck Ribery, a player of whom I knew comparatively little before this World Cup.

Zidane was everywhere, demanding the ball, controlling the play. Coming to this World Cup he knew every game could be his last -and he has given these latest matches, against Spain and then Brazil, everything he has.

That was real fighting spirit, the spirit we never saw from Ronaldo, who was very slow in everything he did, or Ronaldinho, who has been one of the major individual disappointments of this Cup.

The experience of Lilian Thuram, who dominated in defense of France, was crucial in shutting out the Brazilian attack. Brazil cannot complain. In fact, in the second half Dida in goal saved Brazil from losing at least 2-0. It was sad to see. This was an experienced team, and I expected more and better play.

The same could be said about Argentina, which had played the best football in the groups. Like Brazil, most of their players are with European clubs, so they cannot complain about the conditions. The game with Germany could have gone either way, but Germany have been improving in confidence and condition with every game and their progress to the semifinals keeps the wonderful atmosphere around this Cup alive.

Philipp Lahm continues to impress me. He reads the game so well. Every time Germany has problem in defense, Lahm suddenly turns up out of nowhere to relieve the pressure.

Now I believe that Germany can go on to play a tough battle against Italy and win. The hosts can do so because the Germans under Jurgen Klinsmann play to win, while Italy generally plays a more defensive game — almost to avoid losing. It waits for the opponent to make a mistake or go for penalties, which is not the true spirit of the World Cup.

Portugal — and Felipe (Scolari), here once more of course — will play France in the other semifinal.

I must admit, I was initially pleased when Portugal beat England, for two reasons. Firstly, I was happy for my Portuguese friends. But secondly, I thought that England would have been a more awkward and tough opponent for Brazil in the semifinals.

France, of course, had different ideas.

England, like Brazil, never lived up to our expectations at this World Cup. I never understood why Wayne Rooney was left so much his own up in attack without support. It was always asking too much of him, particularly after his injury. Then his red card against Portugal made it almost impossible for England.

It had one last chance in the shootout, but penalties are not as simple as fans may think. The big names — Maradona, Socrates, Zico, Platini, Baggio — have all missed penalties in a World Cup.

If you are winning 5 — 0, then a penalty is easy. But when your World Cup survival depends on a penalty, it’s a different matter. I always joke that the presidents of the federations should take the penalties because the responsibility is so enormous.

Now that Portugal is in the semifinals, I also believe it can beat France and reach the Final for the first time. I think Felipe has them organized more effectively than France and they will have Deco and Costinha back, who both missed the England game through suspension.

France’s veterans have done well to get this far, but becoming world champions once more still demands that they come through to two tough matches, which will test all their ability, experience and fitness.