2012/13 UEFA Champions League: It's Germany vs Spain in the semifinals

The draw for the 2012/13 UEFA Champions League semifinals was held today in Nyon, Switzerland. The last round ahead of the final to be played on May 25, 2013 at the Wembley Stadium in London will see match-ups between German Bundesliga and Spanish La Liga sides - Bayern Munich vs FC Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid.

Many feared that there would be a German and a Spanish semifinal, but today's draw kept the local rivals apart though there now could be a German or Spanish final at Wembley. The matches will be played on April 23/24 and April 30/May 1.

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said, "I think we will see two very good games, played at the highest possible level."

"Barcelona are the benchmark for me in Europe. They are the best team in Europe at the moment, with fantastic attacking potential," Rummenigge added.

Meanwhile Borussia Dortmund general manager Hans-Joachim Watzke said, "I don't think Madrid will be afraid because of what happened in the group stage. They will respect us, just like we respect them."

Real Madrid ambassador Emilio Butragueno also thinks similar, "We have a lot of respect for Borussia Dortmund. We played them twice (in the group stage) but didn't manage to beat them. This time we hope it will different as we want to be in the final."