Uruguay challenge European powers

The tournament was taking a two-day break in matches.

Yet there was no rest for Uruguay, Netherlands, Germany and Spain who trained, nursed injuries and studied tactics hoping for glory in a week's time at Soccer City stadium.

With South American big guns and media favourites Argentina and Brazil gone, several hundred journalists packed into a Johannesburg hotel to catch a word with Uruguay's players. They looked taken aback by all the fuss after a practice session.

"We know we are representing our continent," striker Edinson Cavani said, as journalists almost came to blows and had to be corralled by police in a chaotic crush to hear the Uruguayans.

"It is a responsibility, but it is also a huge source of pride. We believe we can do it for Uruguay, for South America."

Uruguay's joy at being in a semi-final for the first time in 40 years is tempered by the knowledge they face a dangerous Dutch side on Tuesday minus some important faces.