Women's World Cup Schedule 2015: Semi-Finals Live Stream, Start Times and Picks
The 2015 Women's World Cup has sorted the wheat from the chaff, and this week's semi-final fixtures will decide who out of holders Japan, the United States, Germany and England deserves to make Saturday's final.
There's a chance we could see the first repeat final in Women's World Cup history, too, as 2011 champions Japan face England, while their final opponents of four years ago, the United States, take on Germany.
It's at this phase of competition that the elite rise to the fore, but no team will be banking on their spot in Vancouver just yet, with everything still left to play for.
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Read on for a look at the vital time and viewing information for this week's semi-finals, along with a match preview and prediction for the fixtures ahead.
| Tuesday, June 30 | 12 a.m. BST (Wed., July 1)/7 p.m. ET | United States 1-2 Germany | Olympic Stadium, Montreal |
| Wednesday, July 1 | 12 a.m. BST (Thurs., July 2)/7 p.m. ET | Japan 1-2 England | Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton |
Both semi-finals will be live streamed on the BBC Sport website for audiences in the United Kingdom, while viewers in the United States can watch the action via Fox Soccer 2GO.
United States vs. Germany
| W 3-1 vs. Australia | W 10-0 vs. Ivory Coast |
| D 0-0 vs. Sweden | D 1-1 vs. Norway |
| W 1-0 vs. Nigeria | W 4-0 vs. Thailand |
| W 2-0 vs. Colombia | W 4-1 vs. Sweden |
| W 1-0 vs. China PR | D 1-1 vs. France (Win 5-4 on Pens) |
Old enemies will be reunited on Tuesday as the United States and Germany prepare for their third Women's World Cup semi-final encounter against one another.
The familiar foes met in the inaugural 1991 semi-finals before clashing in the last four of the 2003 tournament, but defender Annike Krahn says her Germany team are in high spirits, per the official DFB website:
"The American’s playing style is completely different to that of the French. We all know that we have to be present from the first minute. With USA, a strong opponent awaits us.
[...]
We’ve had some really tough games already, but that happens. It also showed us that we can compete against strong sides. It’s definitely a positive thing.
[...]
You also saw that our whole team is behind us and that pleases us. Our team is truly extremely strong in terms of character and our team spirit is so strong. It’s just incredibly fun to be a part of this team.
"
Germany drew their second match of this year's tournament last time out, ending extra time with France tied at 1-1 before triumphing on penalties.
It's only the second time in Canada that Silvia Neid's side have failed to score fewer than four goals, while the USWNT's opening 3-1 win over Australia remains their biggest haul. Jeff Kassouf of NBC Sports noted the goal-shy nature of Jill Ellis' side during their 1-0 quarter-final victory against China:
Each with two World Cups to their name, both the United States and Germany know a great deal of pride is at stake this Tuesday, with the chance to claim a historic third trophy on the line.
However, Germany's knack for clinical attacking play has been more frequently evident in this year's competition thus far, while the United States' failure to convert chances en masse could be their downfall.
Prediction: United States 1-2 Germany
Japan vs. England
| W 1-0 vs. Switzerland | L 1-0 vs. France |
| W 2-1 vs. Cameroon | W 2-1 vs. Mexico |
| W 1-0 vs. Ecuador | W 2-1 vs. Colombia |
| W 2-1 vs. Netherlands | W 2-1 vs. Norway |
| W 1-0 vs. Australia | W 2-1 vs. Canada |
England's women have already made history by progressing to the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time ever, surpassing the expectations of some following their opening defeat to France.
However, the Lionesses have since clawed and scratched their way through to the final four, earning the praise of former England international David Beckham, showing just how far their reach has become in the sporting spectrum:
Standing opposite them is Japan, who were crowned champions under somewhat shocking circumstances four years ago, but they are a swiftly improving nation and one of only two teams to win all three group matches.
Getting to the last four is a stellar achievement for the team, but defender Lucy Bronze is one of those with no intention of stopping just yet, promoting the belief now surging among this England side:
Having won four on the trot since that loss to France, England have found the stride of a maverick, a team unafraid to take chances. Despite winning all their games, Japan look beatable, too, considering each of those victories came by margins of just a single goal.
The Lionesses have won their last four successive matches by a scoreline of 2-1, and Wednesday's crunch collision with a goal-shy Japan line-up could see them slip through once more.
Prediction: Japan 1-2 England
