Posted on 07/06/2016 11:38:31 PM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
The winner of Thursday’s meeting between the world champions and the hosts will enter the final as favourites. The two highest rated sides at the tournament – France on 7.17 and Germany on 7.15 – will be treating this game as if it were the final itself. Joachim Löw’s side are hoping to emulate France’s achievement of holding both the World Cup and European Championship trophy at the same time.
France have not been truly tested yet but neither have they breezed through a highly favourable draw. While their first-half annihilation of Iceland in the quarter-finals promised much, it was the first time they had scored before the interval. They are yet to fully impress in both halves of a game, which they will need to do against Germany.
France haven’t really faced a side of any great repute since they last met Germany two years ago, when they were knocked out the World Cup at the quarter-finals courtesy of a Mats Hummels header. Hummels, who is missing out through suspension, is one of a number of key absentees. By comparison, the return of N’Golo Kante and Adil Rami from their bans has left Deschamps with a full squad.
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
And nobody from France even protested the handball. Tough break. But when you dominate play, you have to get something out of it, or else, this is what happens.
Mutter, mutter, grumble.
Bu**er.
I can never remember putting my hands up in an attempt to head the ball, especially in the penalty area.
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