BBC pundit Jimmy Hill on World Cup Grandstand

"Bobby Robson is picking a player out of form in Peter Beardsley. Against Cameroon he ran around well but was nothing like the Beardsley I've admired watching Liverpool this season. He's been my favourite player but he is not in form at this World Cup and when Trevor Steven came on he was like a Rolls Royce.

"Gary Lineker's confidence has increased and he is a hot player. David Platt is another player brimming with confidence - his goal against Belgium could be the best of this World Cup. Platt has arrived as an international player for some years to come."

The nerves are really cranking up now as Des and co go through the highlights from the key games. Terry Venables has agreed with my pick of Lothar Matthaus as the danger man in that German midfield.

David Platt, Chris Waddle and Paul Gascoigne in midfield for England - not much of an anchor man in there. Who's picking him up?

Gary Lineker won the golden boot in Mexico four years ago of course and he has hit form at the right time, with those two penalties against Cameroon putting England into the last four.

Image source, Getty Images

Will Lineker be the key man?

Ten minutes in, and Jimmy Hill and Terry Venables are already falling out. It could be a long night lads, keep it together!

Alex, Nottingham: Fingers crossed none of the England boys on a booking get a yellow to miss out on the final - not sure they'd be able to hold it together if they knew they weren't going to play!

On the World Cup song front there's no doubt it's a win for England, though fair play to Jurgen Klinsmann for some tremendous 'air sax.'

Bryan Robson
Injured England captain on World Cup Grandstand

"The pain of missing out is more than the injury itself.

"The boss is looking forward to the game, I've spoken to him on the phone.

"We've had two games that have gone to extra time and the Germans haven't - that's an advantage for them. But if we start bright and get attached to people then I'm sure we can win."

Blake:, external This title sequence. Hairs on the back of the neck...

Kev:, external Really hope this semi goes to penalties. Always wondered how England would do in one and there's no way we'd ever bottle it, not our lads.

Paul:, external Just off to the maternity ward at Lancaster to see my new born daughter Emma Victoria, will it be England Victorious or Vanquished?

It's a balmy evening in Turin, and we are closing in on kick-off now. All set?

Bobby Charlton
England's record goalscorer

"The Germans are favourites. The responsibility to put England into the World Cup final is on the players, and the players alone.

"I was more nervous in the semi-final of 1966 than the final itself. We are the underdogs but we are here and we are ready."

Kirk:, external Fancy it to go all the way! Then it's a lottery.

Jordan:, external I'm sure if the game goes to penalties we have the quality and mentality to overcome the Germans.

Rob:, external Being only five years old, I can't believe I'm watching England in a World Cup semi-final. Hope I don't have long to wait for another.

I'm not far off tears already. Stirring stuff from Messrs Pavarotti, Lynam and Robson...

Des Lynam
BBC presenter

"Good evening and welcome to the most momentous day for English football since 1966.

"Over half of the population will be watching. What the other half are doing - well, that's up to them..."

Ian, Lichfield: I remember it was a wet day in London because my friend and I were sitting in the open stand on the old No.1 court at Wimbledon waiting for the Kevin Curren and the then up-and-coming Goran Ivanisevic match to start. It eventually got under way at 5pm and because we'd been sitting there since midday we didn't want to leave early for the England match. Instead at the breaks we went to the back of the stand where a BBC engineer was watching the game on a portable TV and updated us with the score from Turin. Ivanisevic won in five sets and we got home to Richmond just in time for the penalties.

Cue Des!

We've not seen the best of Chris Waddle at this tournament so far - but he has the skills to make the difference in the final third today. That magic mullet could just make the difference...

Football statisticians Opta, external on Twitter: Before their clash at #WC90, England and Germany had a balanced record in World Cup meetings, with one win each and one draw. Poised.

Garth, Millwall: The first World Cup that I remember. Great memories of watching Lineker, sat there with my Panini sticker album.

Lee, Bristol: One of the few times I saw my stepfather emotional. He fell to his knees at the end and then silently walked down to the end of the garden for quite a while.

Simon:, external We used to beg our teacher at school to play a sweeper in the team like England at Italia 90 - we thought it was super cool!