Hello and welcome to today’s hangout. It’s hard to believe we’re at the semi-final stages. It seems like only yesterday Fred helped Brazil cheat their way out of a tricky opening game with Croatia and now his side are just 90 (or 120 and penalties) minutes away from a first World Cup final berth since 2002.

I’m on my own on the hangout today after a certain correspondent in Brazil – and I wouldn’t name Mikey Stafford – decided that spending his time talking to footballers and fans was better than hanging out with us.

However, his absence did make me think of that other notable absentee today, one Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior.

How big will his absence be felt by the hosts? Can they possibly reach a World Cup final with Fred leading the line? Let me know what you think in the comment section below.

So, at RI Twing’s request, here’s a quick poll.

Who are you supporting tonight?

Stat attack

Brazil have lost none of their last six World Cup semi-finals, winning five and drawing one (Netherlands in 1998).

Germany, on the other hand, have only one defeat in their last nine matches against South American opposition at the World Cup (Brazil in 2002), winning six and drawing two.

It’s going to be tight this evening.

Of course the big news in Brazil today is undoubtedly the Garth Brooks cancellations.

Here was Big Phil Scolari’s reaction:

Silvia Izquierdo / AP/Press Association Images Silvia Izquierdo / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images

Here’s an interesting one from Johnny:

In this day and age – with international football taking up approximately 10% of a player’s career – is winning a World Cup still as important in defining the greatest ever players?

Personally, I think I’ll be telling my grandkids about Messi whether he wins the World Cup with Argentina or not.

It’s amazing, given their respective histories, that this is only the second time these two sides have met in the World Cup.

Here are the highlights – including Ronaldo’s awful haircut – from the 2002 final.

Chief in the comment section is most definitely not supporting the Germans:

Though he’s definitely in the minority – here are the poll results so far:

We like this, nice way to tee up the semi-finals:

Never change Internet, never change:

Going back to that 2002 final. Who is the only player involved that night who could play a role tonight?

There’s no prize, but I will give you a green thumb which is priceless to be fair.

Speaking of prizes, we do have another Sony Experia smart phone to give away in tomorrow’s World Cup Hangout with thanks to our friends in Budweiser.  We’ll also have a special guest host but it’s so secret right now, even I haven’t been told:

Here’s our look at the host’s chances of winning outright in case you missed it:

• What are Brazil’s chances of winning the World Cup?

And we looked at how likely Germany were too:

• What are Germany’s chances of winning the World Cup?

The fans in Belo Horizonte are starting to make their way to the Mineirao stadium for tonight’s game.

AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Where will you be watching the game though?

I can’t believe I forgot to ask, what are people’s predictions for tonight’s games. Here in the office we’ve gone for:

Steve – 2-1 Germany
Fintan – 1-0 Germany
Ben – 3-1 Germany
Niall – 3-2 Brazil AET
Sean – 1-0 Brazil AET
Patrick – 3-1 Germany

This is not very nice is it? An Argentinian TV show has taken a dig a Neymar’s injury:

And that’s it from me today. Thanks as always for joining in. Hopefully we’ve a decent game tonight and that Brazil play a bit more like the 1970 team than the 1994 one.

I won’t hold my breath though.

Remember to check out tomorrow’s World Cup Hangout where our special guest will be giving away a free smartphone.