OT - Euros: Germany vs. France semi final
Hummels is a huge loss, of course. I don't think losing Khadeira hurts nearly as much but Boateng going out there hurts, too.
And yet if they had taken advantage of the possession and chances in the first half, they could very well be the ones moving on.
Crazy depth. But you can tell they're spent.
If Angel di Maria doesn't get injured in the World Cup, Argentina probably pummels Germany in the Final. His absence was enormous. Professional sports is as much about execution as it is about persevering through injuries/suspensions.
If Italy doesn't suffer a rash of injuries, Germany might not have even advanced into the semifinals.
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Higuain didn't convert a gift (on the boneheaded play by Kroos). Later, an Argentina goal was disallowed because Higuain was offside by a yard. And Messi missed a goal to by inches in the second half.
Meanwhile, Germany had only one good chance on goal throug the first half - a header on a cross right before halftime (which hit the post).
Germany had better opportnities in extra time when Argentina's stout defense began to wilt as the Germans began stringing together more passes.
But there was Rodrigo Palacio's flub in the box in extra time.
Utlimately, an Argentine defender was caught ball-watching and forgot to mark Mario Gotze which proved decisive.
Needless to say, I remember that game well. For the frist 75-80 minutes of the game, Argentina effectively shut down Germany's build-up (which I didn't think was possible). I watched that game with many people including German fans and they were shocked by how much Germany struggled against Argentina's back 7.
Pogba clowned whoever that was guarding him on the 2nd goal. I need that in a gif, please
Pantsed.
Could only find a clip so far
Sane on for Grandpa Schweinsteiger
Read yesterday that Germany beat Italy for the first time ever in major international tourney to advance to this semi.
They met 4 times previously in group play -- all draws. They met 4 times in knock out rounds -- all losses. Mind. Blown.Something about Italy's emphasis on resilient defense is the perfect counter for Germany's relentless attacking style.
I'd be happy if it resembled Iceland's.
Germany missing left and right.
What a save
Best match of the tournament by a long shot (quality-wise, anyway)
"First time since 1958 that Germany loses to France in a competitive match."
Woah.
Before today, they'd only met three times in official competition since then, though - 1982, 1986, and 2014.
Dumb game, dumb tournament.
Portugal finishes third in their group, draws a bracket with France, Germany, Spain and Italy on the other side.
France gets Ireland and Iceland to advance to the semifinals where the refs hand them a goal on a soft penalty.
Now we get a final with two of the most unwatchable teams around (short of a few individual bursts from talented plaeyrs).
Never should have expanded past 16 teams.
How is France an unwatchable team? They've scored 13 goals, more than any other team. For comparison, Germany scored seven.
Because they don't play with any sort of style. Goals aren't the end all be all of entertainment.
Watching France win 4-0 is boring compared to watching Spain or Germany win 1-0 when they are on their game. Germany's first half was excellent to watch. And how did France win? On a soft, soft penalty.
In other words, you made up your mind beforehand that you didn't like France and you are now using all kinds of mental gymnastics to justify it.
Hey, if you don't like the two teams involved, that's completely your right. But the "unwatchable" argument is pretty silly.
The handball was a correct call. That was just a brain fart by Schweinsteiger. Regardless, Germany had an entire half to make it up.
France is one of the most talented teams and wants to play an open game - even when they were protecting the lead, they were still pushing upfield and looking to score. I don't know how they are "unwatchable."
They have no style. They were extremely poor in group play, poor against Ireland and then beat Iceland (which lets be honest, were in over their heads) 5-2.
Then they match up against an equal rival and get beat off the park for 45 minutes until....yep, a soft penalty. I get that its the "right" call, but its a weak homefield advantage call. Like I said, if you call that you have to call Kroos getting clipped by Pogba as he shot.
Its just bursts of individualism from guys like Payet and nothing more. Same with Portugal. Just wait and hope that Ronaldo does something.
You've summed up your own counter-argument:
"I get that its the "right" call"
Germany's a great team. It was not their best day but they are still reigning world champions and will be a strong contender to repeat two years from now. But for France, after what the country has gone through, it's really nice to see people happy again. (Griezmann's sister was actually one of the hostages at the Bataclan during the terror attacks last fall.) France has really needed a successful tournament.
Where is the creativity for Germany? Why do their players always look for crosses, rather than trying to mix in runs into the box to unhinge the defense?
Should be a good final with the two MVPs of the tournament: Antoine Griezmann and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Why Schumacher wasn't arrested, tried and executed for his hideious crime, I'll never understand.
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Germany....the only....
3 x European Champions 1972, 1980, 1996
and ....
4 x World Champions 1954, 1974, 1990, 2014
die Achtung.
Danke schoen, bitte schoen, pull the chain, auf wiedersehen