Australia shattered Germany's dream of registering the first hat-trick of world titles in the history of the game, beating the double defending champions 2-1 in the summit clash of the Hero Honda FIH World Cup here today.

Defending champions Germany would be gunning for a historic hat-trick of titles while Australia would be eyeing their first in 24 years, when the two rivals lock horns in the final of the Hero Honda FIH hockey World Cup in New Delhi on Saturday.

Mighty Australia continued their rampaging form in the tournament as they overcame a fighting Netherlands 2-1 in the second semifinal of the hockey World Cup in New Delhi on Thursday to set up a re-match of last edition's title-clash against Germany.

Sachin Tendulkar can come only second, after legendary Don Bradman in the list of all-time great cricketers, according to former Australia captain Steve Waugh.

Vowing not to tolerate any racial attacks against Indians, Premier John Brumby of the Australian state of Victoria which has witnessed most of these assaults, said on Sunday that there is "a small and ignorant minority" of people who engage in such "repugnant" actions.