South Korea's northern neighbours finally see what all the fuss is about

World Cup Diary

* South Korea's victory over Spain set a new first in the neighbouring country of North Korea – it was the first South Korean game broadcast live in the country. North Korea has been showing edited highlights of World Cup matches but has not made it clear that the tournament is being co-hosted by South Korea. The two nations are still technically at war after the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armed truce rather than a peace treaty. Meanwhile, South Koreans are being given 1 July as a holiday to celebrate their team's historic advance to the World Cup semi-finals. The holiday will take place regardless of whether South Korea reach the final by beating Germany today.

* South Korea's victory over Spain set a new first in the neighbouring country of North Korea – it was the first South Korean game broadcast live in the country. North Korea has been showing edited highlights of World Cup matches but has not made it clear that the tournament is being co-hosted by South Korea. The two nations are still technically at war after the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armed truce rather than a peace treaty. Meanwhile, South Koreans are being given 1 July as a holiday to celebrate their team's historic advance to the World Cup semi-finals. The holiday will take place regardless of whether South Korea reach the final by beating Germany today.

* Russia's players and their families are under police protection after their World Cup failure, according to the Sovietsky Sport newspaper. After beating Tunisia 2-0, Russia lost 1-0 to Japan and 3-2 to Belgium, failing to advance from what was regarded as one of the easiest first-round groups. Thousands of angry drunken fans went on the rampage in the centre of Moscow on 9 June following Russia's defeat by Japan, leaving one dead and more than 100 injured. Riot police sealed off Moscow's Vnukovo airport to prevent any repeat when the team arrived home.

* Turkey's Prime Minister has granted civil servants a half-day off so they can watch their national team compete in their first-ever semi-final match tomorrow. "I know everyone in our country is waiting for Wednesday in excitement and hope," said Bulent Ecevit – who is recovering from a series of illness at home – in a written statement.