Since we got into the round of 16 at Euro 2016, fans have gotten to see some fascinating ties that certainly would have been befitting of a final.
We had Italy taking on Spain, and then Italy taking on Germany in the quarter-finals. And now, in the semi-finals, another titanic clash awaits: Germany vs. France. The World Cup winners will battle it out with this summer's hosts in what surely will be an entertaining tactical battle. Will Les Bleus avenge their World Cup 2014 loss with a win against die Mannschaft this Thursday?
Germany
It wasn't easy, but Germany finally got the result they wanted - to beat Italy. Die Mannschaft were heading towards a win in regular time until two incidents occurred. First, Mario Gomez somehow failed to score the team's second. And then, Jerome Boateng committed a reckless handball in the box to give the Azzurri a way back into the match.
Although Leonardo Bonucci's penalty was enough to even the scores, Joachim Löw's men still managed to defeat Antonio Conte's troops during a tense - and at times, bizarre due to the number of misses - penalty shoot-out by a score of six to five.
Despite the win, it was a frustrating night for several of Germany's stars. Key defender Mats Hummels picked up his second yellow of the tournament and now will be suspended for this game. Sami Khedira, and the aforementioned Gomez are definitely out due to injury, whilst captain Bastian Schweinsteiger will have to pass a late fitness exam.
And there is growing concern about Thomas Müller's ongoing drought in front of goal that has now reached ten Euro matches.
Still waiting...Bayern Munich star Thomas Müller is still seeking his first Euro goal. And his missed spot-kick against Italy marked the first time Germany failed to convert since 1982
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With these key players out, coupled with the fact that they had to play 120 minutes and then go to penalties against Italy, there will be concern about the overall physical and mental fitness of the players ahead of their tough tie against France. Germany might be still unbeaten, but they have to really get up and running. Indeed, they had tough time against the Azzurri until getting a breakthrough during the spot-kick shootout, and all eyes will be on how the handle a French side brimming with confidence following their comfortable quarter-finals win.
France
If Germany had to labor against Italy, the opposite certainly applies for France against Iceland. Les Bleus strolled to a relatively comfortable win over the debutants that saw seven goals scored in a highly entertaining match. Certainly, the fact that they were unable to keep Iceland from scoring two goals will not sit well with some observers, but all in all, it was a good performance by Didier Deschamps's men and will give them momentum heading into this clash with Germany.
Both Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba were on target during France's 5-2 rout of debutants Iceland during the quarter-finals
Griezmann and Pogba, two players who were criticized at the start of Euro 2016 were on the score-sheet, alongside often-maligned striker Olivier Giroud, who netted a brace. And West Ham's Dimitri Payet, who has been one of the revelations of this competition, also got in on the action to grab his third of this tournament. So far, Griezmann has been directly involved in six out of France's 11 goals thus far (four goals, two assists) and is in definite contention to clinch the coveted Golden Boot.
The last time France and Germany met in actual competition, die Mannschaft eliminated them from the 2014 World Cup en route to winning it. Unlike his tactical opponent, who will have as many as four players out due to injury and suspension, Deschamps will welcome both Adil Rami and N'Golo Kante back from a ban. Olivier Giroud will have to be evaluated after reportedly missing training due to a knock.
Germany vs France - Did you know?
- France have never kept a clean sheet against Germany in their past four tournament meetings
- The last player to score against Germany was Alain Giresse during the 1982 World Cup
- Thursday will be the fifth clash between France and Germany at a major tournament, but their first in a Euro championship
- Les Bleus have won one (1958 World Cup, 6-3) whilst die Mannschaft have come out on top three times (penalties, 1982 World Cup; 2-0, 1986; 1-0, 2014)
- Germany have reached the semi-finals in every single one of their past six tournaments (starting with the 2006 World Cup). That's the longest run for any European side
- Die Mannschaft have won 14 out of their past 18 tournament fixtures, with three draws and just one loss (2-1 vs. Italy at Euro 2012)
- Germany have won their past six penalty shoot-out contests, with the only exception being during the 1976 Euro finals against Czechoslovakia
- Antoine Griezmann's four goals is the most achieved by a French player since Michel Platini's nine goal haul at Euro 1984
- Mesut Özil is the only player to have started all 24 of Germany's matches beginning with the 2010 World Cup, and has chipped in with a team-high eight assists
- France have lost just one of their past 12 matches played at the Stade Vélodrome (eight wins, three draws) - against Argentina during a 2009 friendly (2-0)
- Germany have won three Euro titles, whilst France have won twice
Which channel is broadcasting Germany vs France on TV or Online?
Not able to make it to the Stade Vélodrome? No problem. LiveSoccerTV.com has put together options to tune in via TV, computer, phone, or tablet.
Here are all the choices for fans residing elsewhere in France and in the following countries:
- In the USA at 15.00 EST on: ESPN, ESPN Radio, WatchESPN, ESPN Deportes Radio
- In Germany at 21.00 CET on: ORF TV Live Streaming, Sport1.FM, SRF zwei, ORF 1, ZDF
- In France at 21.00 CET on: beIN Sports 2, beIN SPORTS CONNECT France, beIN Sports 1
- In the UK at 20.00 BST on: BBC Radio 5 Live, TalkSport Radio UK, BBC iPlayer, BBC One UK
- In Canada at 15.00 ET on: TSN5, TSN4, TSN3, TSN1, RDS, TSN Radio 1040 | 1410 Vancouver
Live elsewhere? Check out our special Germany vs France broadcast page for viewing times and options for your current location.
*Note: Live broadcast data is subject to change*
Confirmed lineups
Germany's Starting XI
Unsere Startelf: Neuer - Hector, Höwedes, Schweinsteiger ©, Özil, Draxler, Müller, Can, Boateng, Kroos, Kimmich. ^^J.Grittner #GERFRA
— Die Mannschaft (@DFB_Team) July 7, 2016
France's Starting XI
La compo des Bleus pour cette demi-finale de l' #Euro2016! Croire en nous #FiersdetreBleus #FRAALL21H pic.twitter.com/jcmNrK9PfW
— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) July 7, 2016
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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