Semifinale

Semifinale is a term used in sport and competition formats to denote the round or match that precedes the final, featuring the last four contenders and determining the two participants in the championship game. It is most common in knockout tournaments, where the winner advances to the final and the loser is eliminated.

Origin and usage: Semifinale derives from semi- (half) and finale (end), reflecting its role as the “half-final” stage. In Italian, semifinale is the standard term; in English the equivalent is semifinal or semi-final. Other languages use analogous forms.

Format and rules: Semifinals can be played as single matches or as two-legged ties in which teams or players compete home and away, with a winner decided by aggregate score, away goals, or a tie-breaking method such as extra time or penalties. The specific format is defined by the competition rules.

Examples and context: In association football, national and club tournaments regularly arrange semifinals before the final. The FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Champions League have historically used different formats for semifinals, including two-legged ties in some eras and single matches at neutral venues in others. In tennis, the term is used for the matches determining the last two players entering a tournament final.

See also: Final, Knockout tournament, Final four.