Hundreds of thousands of Germans gathered around their TV sets Wednesday to find out if they had a realistic shot at becoming world champion.

The German team had exceeded all expectations by advancing to the final game of the 2002 World Cup through disciplined, if sometimes plodding, play. Now, they awaited the winner of the Brazil-Turkey semifinal to find out who would meet them in Yokohoma on Sunday.

For many, the preferred opponent was clear. Turkey, though playing a fantastic tournament, didn’t have the offensive glitz and artistry of the Brazilian side, which has some of the world’s biggest football names warming the bench – if they make the team at all.

That wizardry was on display Wednesday, as Ronaldo naviagted a swarm of Turkish defenders to pop a ball that ricocheted off goalkeeper Rustu Recber and into the corner of the net. The 1-0 in the 49th minute proved to be enough, and Brazil held off a late Turkish offensive to win a spot in the final.

A Herculean task

The Germans have a full plate in front of them and the strategy seems to be obvious: hold off the speedy magicians with the single names (Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldihno) and pray striker Miroslav Klose can slip free once or twice to put a headball in the back of the net.

On the offense is where Germany will have the most problems, due in large part to the absence of its playmaking star Michael Ballack. Ballack got his second yellow card in as many games Wednesday, shortly before booting in the game-winner. The double card means he has to miss the final.

Who will replace Ballack at midfield for Sunday’s game is still a major question. Germany has good speed on the outside with Oliver Neuville and Klose to counter that of left midfielder Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo. But the two strikers - if Neuville starts - can only do something if they have the ball.

German "D": where potential goals go to die

The good news for Germany: when Brazil attacks it can reckon with the best defensive team in this World Cup.

Opponents have scored an average 0.17 goals a game against Germany, according to statistics. Thomas Linke and Christopher Metzelder (photo) have risen from the rank of injury substitute to the biggest surprises on a German team full of them.

Linke, 32, a national team veteran has done his part and more, commanding the effective three and four-man defensive schemes coach Rudi Völler has employed in this Cup.

This was supposed to be Metzelder’s test World Cup. The 21-year-old Borussia Dortmund starter was expected to mature later, in time for the 2006 tournament in Germany. But Metzelder has proven he belongs - now.

His height and aggressive, physical defensive style stifled South Korea’s offensive attack and preserved the 1-0 victory.

King Kahn

If and when Brazil does break through the "four-man chain" they have Oliver Kahn to reckon with. The goalkeeper and captain of the German team has saved his side time and time again throughout the tournament, leaping and diving to stop the unstoppable shots. He has only been scored on once, by Ireland in the opening round.

Beginning in the Round of 16, he promised his team that he wouldn’t give up another goal. He hasn’t.

German papers lament that if the team had half Kahn’s intensity, they would be completely unbeatable. A recent headline asked if one man could win the World Cup.

High-flying Brazil attack

But Brazil answers with some impressive statistics of its own. The team sports both the most lethal atttack in the World Cup (16 goals scored) and top goal-scorer (Ronaldo, with six). It beat China 4-0, Costa Rica 5-2 and demoralized a competitive Belgian side with two goals in the second half of their Round of 16 game.

Brazil has also showed it plays defense. Three of their six victories have been shutouts and the team short-circuited England's attack while playing with a man down in their tense 2-1 quarterfinal victory.

The matchup will be an interesting clash between German discipline and Brazilian creativity. The teams, who have both made seven finals appearances, have actually never played each other.