Semi-final 2 - France v. Germany
posted by The Blue Devil @ 2:40 PM
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Thursday, July 07, 2016
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Contributors
Previous Posts
- Semi-final 1 - Wales v. Portugal
- France 2016 Predictions Game - Quarterfinal Update
- The Ten Most Significant Goals in US Soccer History
- Afternoon, chaps! It's the last quarter final of...
- Quarterfinal 3 - Germany v. Italy
- Quarterfinal 2 - Belgium v. Wales
- Quarter final 1 - Poland v. Portugal
- France 2016 Predictions Game - Round of 16 Update
- Round of 16 - England vs. Iceland!!
- Round of 16 - Spain v. Italy
196 Comments:
Good afternoon. I second that. I sure hope this match is remembered for the football.
Sigh. It's Darke and TT doing the commentary.
Afternoon boys
On my phone
Happy birthday. I am too.
Thanks MUR
Afternoon, boys - great to see you here. Hoping for a great one.
Finally caught up with our commish
Happy birthday, UWS - how does 52 feel for you?
Thanks Bob
You're welcome. Watching a seminal between two titans is a great way to spend a birthday.
No Kante!
Hope they give me a present of a good attacking match
I have two quiz questions.
1) When did a host nation last defeat the Germans in a major tournament.
2) When did France last defeat Germany in a competitive match.
Me too. Kante was dropped vs Iceland and has been replaced by new Barca signing, Umtiti.
I would say back in the 1938 World Cup
1950s)
He was suspended for the Iceland match
The teams getting set to kick off in Marseille:
Germany: Neuer, Kimmich, Boateng, Howedes, Hector, Can, Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Kroos, Draxler, Muller. Subs: Leno, Mustafi, Khedira, Schurrle, Podolski, Weigl, Tah, Gotze, Sane, Gomez, Ter Stegen.
France: Lloris, Sagna, Koscielny, Umtiti, Evra, Pogba, Matuidi, Sissoko, Griezmann, Payet, Giroud. Subs: Mandanda, Jallet, Rami, Kante, Cabaye, Gignac, Martial, Schneiderlin, Mangala, Digne, Coman, Costil.
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)
Unlike yesterday , both teams are wearing their traditional colors
I heard Portugal were considered the home team but the refs were wearing red!!!!
Just about to insert tape player in to my nose
On the France 2016 predictions front, here are the implications:
Blue Devil, The Saint, Someone Said, and Yellows have picked Germany for the final
Gooner, MUR, Red Devil, Red Dragon, UWS, WHR, and Simon have picked France
Chelskilad has hedged his bets, picking both for the final.
Nice one, UWS!
Tony's a genius
They're off from Marseille.
And we're away - fast pace to the start.
Maybe Chelskilad knows something the rest of us don't?
Sounds like a plan and yes, Tony appears to be a genius or Elsa has a great bookie.
Fast start
Oh - Payet went past Kimmich and won a corner off the defender. Good start for him.
Payet wins a corner off of Can.The corner is headed away.
The answer to the first quiz question is that Germany last lost to a host nation on July 30,1966. Since then they have won seven in a row against the host nation. Some in a penalty shootout.
Here's the current situation with the Golden Boot:
Antoine Griezmann - 4 goals
Alvaro Morata - 3 goals
Dimitri Payet - 3 goals
Cristiano Ronaldo - 3 goals
Gareth Bale - 3 goals
Luis Almedia da Cunho - 3 goals
Olivier Giroud - 3 goals
Great move by the French
Great save
Oh - Griezmann wriggled through the defense and shot - saved well by Neuer.
Great save by Neuer from Griezmann. France is off to an electric start.
Good game so far, and France is pressing. Can has not figured out where he is supposed to be yet.
He may doing the Can Can.
Good afternoon, RD.
Welcome, Red Devil!
I agree - I'm thoroughly absorbed so far. Hope you're not to nervous about it and can enjoy it too.
Of course a cross is blocked!!!
Lack of Hummels is really making itself in the German build-up (and we'll have to wait and see what it means not to have him matching up versus Giroud on D).
Oh - decent chance there for Muller - he hasn't had his shooting boots on this tournament but I wouldn't bet against him scoring today.
Miller misses a chance because it is the Euros not the WC
Mueller drags an effort wide off a pass from Can,who received a pass from Kimmich.
Oh - Can hit a bobbly volley that nearly beat Lloris. Might have hit the post as well!
Great save by Lloris from Can .
Cracking atmosphere now - just needs a goal.
Mueller with a tame long range effort straight to Lloris.
France were on top but now it's Germany on the up
Not too nervous. The missing players (and we saw how much that impacted Wales last night) have resulted in casting Germany as the underdog. So, my expectations are not too high. This might be a good time to put in a bet (Germany has played the host 10 times in WC and EC, winning 8 times! Last loss to a host: 1966).
Oh - shame that attack was broken up because Pogba played the ball too hot toward Payet. Kimmich did well there.
Agreed. A cracking atmosphere in Marseille, the number one football city in France.
Good point - we saw how Germany broke Brazilian hearts in callous fashion at Brazil 2012. I can still see those sad samba faces.
Well done, Red Devil.That was the answer to my first quiz question.
Agreed. Brazil has not recovered from the Muellering.
Ref is wearing rather dodgy socks
This may evolve into a game of control versus counter (Barca-Chelsea) as Germany have calmed down things a bit.
But France is extremely good on the counter with Pogba, Payet, and particularly Griezmann.
Germany win a corner.
France seem to have lost the momentum for a time. They may rue not capitalizing on that fast start with a goal. Although, that said, scoring against Germany just seems to irritate them, like shaking a bee hive.
Kos heads away the corner.
LOL! I hadn't noticed the ref's socks - nice one, UWS.
Useless by Sussoko
Germans appeal for a penalty for Pogba's challenge. The Italian ref isn't having it.
Props asking for a penalty off the challenge from Pogba. As if he will get that call from an Italian red after what happened Saturday.
Ozil should have shot but went wide
Matt says Ozil never shoots
Me too. The birthday boy has extra eyes.
France have a decent free kick chance now - Payet over it....
Pig Stick fouls Payet in free kick territory.
Payet opportunity
Decent hit by Payet but Neuer followed by instructions of making sure to cover the left side that Payet seems to favor.
Easily saved
Germany win a corner by doing the Can Can .It's taken short and a Props cross is headed away.
Oh - great attacking sequence with a volley from Ozil and finally a bender from Pigstick, tipped over by Lloris.
Lloris tips over a long range effort from the Pig Stick. He catches the corner.
I hope whoever wins this crush the Portus
Germany look set to continue their streak against host nations in major tournaments.
I agree, UWS
Good game now, with more chances than Italy-Germany or last night.
I Griezmann passes to Jorgie Low
More than both matches combined.
Which is better? A Kroos cross or a Kroos shot?
Hector is from the part of Germany I was visiting (Saarland). He plays for the lowest octane club of all the players on the field (Cologne). He's nothing special, but the folks were going nuts when he buried the last PK.
Oh - how did Germany miss out on a shot on goal there. Great cross over by Kimmich!
The final touch eludes Mueller as France desperately clear off a great pass from Kimmich. Umtiti with the clearance.
Germany is getting some header chances. Wish Gomez could be at the end of some of those.
What a story. That victory must have smelled better than any cologne imaginable.
I can imagine - that must have been a nail-biter for you and the crowd. I can't remember that number of Germans missing penalties.
Agreed. Super Mario would bury those.
Lloris has been solid. His experience in the EPL has made him very confident coming out for crosses.
Why was Gomez dropped?
Can still the weak leak. Let's see what the French can do with this kick.
He's out injured for the rest of tourney
Erme Can is the first player into the referee's book. Free kick France here.
Pugnacious was mullered in midfield then Can is booked for a foul on Griezmann and being calmed down by Mueller.
Can Can needs to get out of refs face
I've never fancied Can either when playing for Pool. A really average player.
Pogba to take it
Just as weak as Payet
Pogba hits it straight at Neuer. Easy.
Pogba takes it this time and it's straight to Neuer.
Gomez was injured versus italy. His tourney is done. That's why, with him and Khedira injured and Hummels barred, Germany is missing 3 key cogs.
Hummels as defensive distributor, Khedira covers more ground than Schweini, and without Gomez, no aerial threat.
Lloris easily saves from Mueller after being gifted possession by Matuidi.
Griezmann is starting to come for the ball deeper, realizing that he is the most dangerous player, particularly when he is running at the D.
Despite that, Germany is playing really well.
From the Guardian blog:
"“What would be the french for ‘Can we have our ball back please, mister’? Perhaps ‘pouvons-nous avoir notre balle s’il vous plait, monsieur’? Or should they be asking in German so their opponents can easily understand?” wonders David Wall."
Why is Schweiny so good for Germany but pants for United
Into the side netting by Griezmann off a pass by Evra. Umtiti started the attack
Superb tackle by Howedes on Ollie on the counter. He took too long to shoot.
Giroud was clean through but he ran as if wading through treacle and allowed Boateng to get back.
Evra is booked.
Evra booked for a foul on Kroos.
Why didn't Can attack that cross from Kimmich more aggressively? It was set up for him perfectly!
My apologies to Howedes - it was he who got back to challenge Giroud - superb defending.
Soft card for Evra.
Boateng is not as good in the air as his size suggests (he is very fast for such a tall guy). We saw that as he was beaten there by Giroud, who should have squared to Griezmann.
Boateng's mistiming allowed Ollie through. That's a fine mess he got into.
Penalty!!!
No one appealed
Is this a penalty? It is! Extraordinary scenes at the Stade Vello.
That seems very harsh to me. I don't see it.
He did stick his hand out and Giroud did appeal
Greezy to take
what are the Germans doing on those hand-ball headers?
Hector clears a cross from Evra for a corner then the Pig Stick is called for hand ball off the corner. It's a penalty and looks the right call.
1-0
Griezmann can notch his fifth here....
And does! Good penalty, completely wrong footing Neuer.
The hosts take the lead. Sorry, Red Devil - that was harsh.
Last kick of half
Excellent time to score - France go in a goal to the good and that change the half-time dressing room talks entirely.
GOAL!Griezmann scores from the spot sending Neuer the wrong way and it's 1-0 at the half.
GOAL!Griezmann scores from the spot sending Neuer the wrong way and it's 1-0 at the half.
If I don't make it back for the second half, do not interpret it as a sign that I have offed myself. The girls are unfortunately both sick, so I will be heavily involved in getting them to bed.
I hope Germany can turn things around, but they will really miss Gomez on that count (it's a shame Schweinsteiger is playing. Even with Khedira out, I would have played Weigl).
The second half is underway from the Velly Drome.
We're back on at the Stade Velodrome now. That penalty award was mighty harsh but it has set things up nicely for the second half.
Give the girls a hug for us, Red Devil.
Sorry to hear that. I hope your daughters get well soon.
Another fast start from the French - they're trying to kill this one off.
Oh - Griezmann nearly scored a second - deflected out by Boateng.
Ollie takes an eternity to shoot again after being put through by Pugnacious then Griezmann has a shot blocked for a corner. It's eventually cleared.
Not a great tournament for Schweinsteiger. No goals scored. Missed a penalty in the quarters and now has given away a penalty in the semis.
Germany have handed France the lead and the hand ball from the Pig Stick really stunk.
Now it's Draxler into the book - these cards are building up for the Germans.
Can, Schweinsteiger, Ozil and now Draxler.
Draxler is booked for a foul from behind on Sissokho.
The Germans are pressing their claim but the French defense has been resolute.
I can't afford this going to extra time
I have to leave to coach a game with Tom and Matt
Boateng is limping off injured and will have to be substituted.
Another German crocked
A sad end to Boateng's tournament, as he's carried off. Mustaphi on for him.
Mustafi is on for Boateng
Koz has a looping header just clear the bar.
Ollie pressures Hectors to concede a corner. Taken by Griezmann and headed over by Kos.
Payet is down holding his head,but gets up and play resumes.
Wee Goetze is on for Can,who did not.
Mario Gotye is about to come on for Can - good move there. I wish more managers would understand that they don't need defensive midfielders when they're chasing a match. You need goals!
Payet worked his way into a shooting chance there but then scuffed his shot.
Payet with a tame short easily gathered by Payet.
Umtiti tackles Frazier for a corner.
A complete waste as the Germans are called for holding.
Sissokho fouls Kroos in free kick territory.
The free kick from Paul is headed over and Kante is on for Payet.
GOAL! Griezmann sticks the dagger in with a brace.
France 2-0 up!
Two nil
That man again
Tom is thrilled
Made by Pogba
GOAL! Griezmann with his and France's second as they were gifted the goal.
What the hell were the Germans doing
It was, in truth a fairly jammy goal from a Keystone Kops sequence but Griezmann was in the right spot to stab home.
Six goals now and surely the Golden Boot of France 2016.
Oh - off the post from Kimmich - great bender. Beat Lloris all ways to Sunday. Unlucky.
An unusual comedy of errors from the Germans. First, Kimmich had his pocket picked by Pigba,whose cross was flapped at by Neuer and Griezmann easily tapped in.
Oh - Pogba tries one with the outside of his right boot.
Kante picks up another yellow - his third of the tournament.
Tom is thrilled with his golden boot
He is still really confused about who would win between him and John
They are tied
Kimmich tries to make ammends as his long range effort comes off the post. Then Pogba shoots just wide.
Oh - now Draxler hits a free kick just wide - it's all happening now. This one isn't over yet by half.
Draxler curls a free kick just wide. Kante was booked for a foul on Evra.
Why is the Mexican coming on
Where's Martial
Gignac,who plays for Tigres in Mexico, is on for Ollie France may celebrate a win with some Cognac
Boy that was close
LeRoy Sagne is on for the Pig Stick. He nearly scored as his shot was deflected for a corner and Mustafi blasted over.
France win a corner that is headed away by Kimmich.
Deschamps seems to favor Gignac - I don't get it.
Oh - Howedes was inches away from getting one back.
Howedes heads a free kick from Kroos inches over. It was a free header.
Is he thinking of Cognac?
Great run and cross by Matiudi there but no one was following in.
Never count the Germans out until the final whistle.
Is this the same Sissokho that played for the Toon this past season?
Oh - Griezmann did well there but was perhaps a bit greedy, looking for his hat-trick. Gignac not pleased.
It is - doubt whether he'll line up for Newcastle against Fulham in the Championship in a month's time.
The speedy Griezmann gets past the Germans, but shoots right at Neuer.
I doubt it. Now that he's auditioning for a new club, he shows commitment.
Neuer easily saves from Cognac.
Are the Germans getting Mullered?
Four minutes of stoppage time. The locals are not pleased.
The final roll of the dice for Des Champs as Cabaye of Palace is on for Griezmann.
Oh - Lloris with a brilliant header to maintain the clean sheet!
Hugo Lloris for Golden Glove now?
Oh! A world class save by Lloris from a header by Kimmich off a cross from Mustafi.
I think I picked him, mate.
They think it's all over....
It is now!!!
France into the final. They do love winning tournaments at home.
It's over and France is in the final, having defeated Germany 2-0.
That's it
France will meet Portugal
I'm off to coach the boys
Ttfn
France should be favorites against Portugal on Sunday.
Cheers lads. Great chatting from my brother's house even though he's not home. I hope to do the same on Sunday. CHEERS!
Post a Comment
<< Home