Luis Rodrieguez Zapatero

Politicians go head-to-head in World Cup semi final

The summer sun is beating down on Madrilenos as they prepare to watch Wednesday's World Cup semi-final with Germany in Durban.

The largest crowd for tonight's game is expected outside Real Madrid's Bearnabeu stadium, where a giant screen has been erected.

Otherwise one of the capital's plentiful small bars is the place to see the game.

Locals are promising that if the Spaniards make it to their first World Cup final the streets will be full come night time.

As deliberations over who is to start the game continue to occupy fan's thoughts – with doubts over the fitness of Cesc Fabregas and misfiring Fernando Torres – interest is also being focused on Jose Luis Rodrieguez Zapatero, the prime minister of Spain.

Zapatero's close attention to the World Cup has led to him being labelled the new minister of sport and questions of whether he will start on the bench.

The prime minister of course is not the first politician to attempt to alig