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..::Football IV::..
- Thread starter Wolverine GTR
- Start date
No chance 
Hitapu taran attack ekak dekke na germany lage 2nd half eke..
France lage defend nam supiri..
man of the match itin Griezmann tamai..
France lage defend nam supiri..
man of the match itin Griezmann tamai..
Germany ka gaththa wade 
Hari nam dinanna one match ekak. mona magulak karanawada danne ne handball karagena
Lokuma paduwa thamai hoda CF kenek nathi eka. Muller didn't deliver
Boateng injured una eka sahenna affect una. Athima set pieces & crosses walata mustafi nathu miniha hitiyanam goal ekakhari gahanna thibba.
France were barely hodling against Germany in the first half. They had only one counter attack in the beginning. Maha gon weda karala thamai germany match eka kagaththe.
I really didn't see a good player in the pitch other than Kroos & Kimmich. Griezmann had his luck with the penalty and that shot. E arenna finishing thibbema ne. Habai counter runs tikanam patta. Poga & Payet was good.
Eth e okkoma Germany wala mistakes hinda. Nahtham easy game for germany if they had a good CF.
Hari nam dinanna one match ekak. mona magulak karanawada danne ne handball karagena Lokuma paduwa thamai hoda CF kenek nathi eka. Muller didn't deliver
Boateng injured una eka sahenna affect una. Athima set pieces & crosses walata mustafi nathu miniha hitiyanam goal ekakhari gahanna thibba.France were barely hodling against Germany in the first half. They had only one counter attack in the beginning. Maha gon weda karala thamai germany match eka kagaththe.
I really didn't see a good player in the pitch other than Kroos & Kimmich. Griezmann had his luck with the penalty and that shot. E arenna finishing thibbema ne. Habai counter runs tikanam patta. Poga & Payet was good.
Eth e okkoma Germany wala mistakes hinda. Nahtham easy game for germany if they had a good CF.
But man kemathi Portugal France face karanawata other than Germany 
Hoda Set pieces 2kak thibbanam athi match eka dinanna
Vamos Portugal!!!
Hoda Set pieces 2kak thibbanam athi match eka dinanna Vamos Portugal!!!
Gabriel Jesus should join Real Madrid, not Barcelona or Bayern - Ze Roberto
Palmeiras midfielder Ze Roberto believes Real Madrid would be the perfect club for team-mate Gabriel Jesus, despite interest from Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
The Catalan side have scouted the 19-year-old several times and are said to be interested in snapping him up in the near future, though the forward insists he will stay at Palmeiras for the time being .
Ze Roberto - who won La Liga and the Champions League at Madrid and enjoyed two spells at Bayern Munich - says the German side have asked him about his team-mate, but he believes a move to the Santiago Bernabeu would be ideal."I think he is ready to make the move to Europe," Ze Roberto told AS .
"A few months ago someone from Bayern Munich got in touch with me to talk about him. They wanted to know how he is outside the pitch.
"But I think Real Madrid would be the best option for him. To work with Zinedine Zidane and train alongside stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema. He would be able to learn from three of the best. That is why I think Madrid would be ideal for him."A transfer now seems difficult, though. Palmeiras do not have to sell. I can only see him leaving if someone pays his buy-out clause."
Ze Roberto believes Gabriel Jesus is the best young player to have come through in Brazil since Barcelona star Neymar, adding: "I have nothing but good things to say about him.
"He's the best player I've seen come through the ranks in Brazil since I returned from Germany in 2006."And I've seen a lot of players come through. But Gabriel Jesus is different. He has some spectacular talents.
"He is not better than Neymar, though. Neymar is from another planet. I have never seen anyone like him. Neymar is extra-terrestrial. When I was at Santos, the senior players showed up early just to see him play in one of the youth teams.
"But after him, Gabriel Jesus is the best young Brazilian player I've seen over the past 10 years. He is a modern player. He has power, pace, technique and is explosive. It is hard to compare him to anyone, because he is unique. He can play anywhere in attack."
Palmeiras midfielder Ze Roberto believes Real Madrid would be the perfect club for team-mate Gabriel Jesus, despite interest from Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
The Catalan side have scouted the 19-year-old several times and are said to be interested in snapping him up in the near future, though the forward insists he will stay at Palmeiras for the time being .
Ze Roberto - who won La Liga and the Champions League at Madrid and enjoyed two spells at Bayern Munich - says the German side have asked him about his team-mate, but he believes a move to the Santiago Bernabeu would be ideal."I think he is ready to make the move to Europe," Ze Roberto told AS .
"A few months ago someone from Bayern Munich got in touch with me to talk about him. They wanted to know how he is outside the pitch.
"But I think Real Madrid would be the best option for him. To work with Zinedine Zidane and train alongside stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema. He would be able to learn from three of the best. That is why I think Madrid would be ideal for him."A transfer now seems difficult, though. Palmeiras do not have to sell. I can only see him leaving if someone pays his buy-out clause."
Ze Roberto believes Gabriel Jesus is the best young player to have come through in Brazil since Barcelona star Neymar, adding: "I have nothing but good things to say about him.
"He's the best player I've seen come through the ranks in Brazil since I returned from Germany in 2006."And I've seen a lot of players come through. But Gabriel Jesus is different. He has some spectacular talents.
"He is not better than Neymar, though. Neymar is from another planet. I have never seen anyone like him. Neymar is extra-terrestrial. When I was at Santos, the senior players showed up early just to see him play in one of the youth teams.
"But after him, Gabriel Jesus is the best young Brazilian player I've seen over the past 10 years. He is a modern player. He has power, pace, technique and is explosive. It is hard to compare him to anyone, because he is unique. He can play anywhere in attack."
Renato Sanches: Bayern should be looking forward to me - I'll be a star there
Renato Sanches has told Bayern Munich that they should be looking forward to his arrival as he intends to become an integral part of Carlo Ancelotti's side.The 18-year-old earned himself a big-money move to Bayern last month following his fine performances at Benfica in the previous campaign.
He has further enhanced his reputation with some impressive displays for Portugal at Euro 2016, playing every game for Fernando Santos' finalists.
Sanches is determined to have a similar impact for Bayern and the 18-year-old told Sport Bild: "I am looking forward to Bayern. And Bayern should be looking forward to me.
"I have some big objectives. I want to win titles with Bayern. I want to help my new team to success right away."I am proud that I will soon be playing for Bayern, a club with a huge tradition in Europe.
"I want to keep doing at Bayern what I did at Benfica. I was a key player at Benfica. "
Renato Sanches has told Bayern Munich that they should be looking forward to his arrival as he intends to become an integral part of Carlo Ancelotti's side.The 18-year-old earned himself a big-money move to Bayern last month following his fine performances at Benfica in the previous campaign.
He has further enhanced his reputation with some impressive displays for Portugal at Euro 2016, playing every game for Fernando Santos' finalists.
Sanches is determined to have a similar impact for Bayern and the 18-year-old told Sport Bild: "I am looking forward to Bayern. And Bayern should be looking forward to me.
"I have some big objectives. I want to win titles with Bayern. I want to help my new team to success right away."I am proud that I will soon be playing for Bayern, a club with a huge tradition in Europe.
"I want to keep doing at Bayern what I did at Benfica. I was a key player at Benfica. "
Ramsey could miss start of Arsenal's Premier League season
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey fears he will not be fit for the start of the Premier League season following his Euro 2016 exertions with Wales.
The 25-year-old excelled during the tournament in France, though he was suspended for Wednesday's semi-final defeat at the hands of Portugal in Lyon.
Ramsey is now set to take a holiday before returning for pre-season duty with Arsenal at the beginning of next month, giving him just less than two weeks to recover fitness before their opening Premier League game against Liverpool on August 14.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger gave extended leave to Germany trio Lukas Podolski, Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker following their World Cup triumph two years ago, and Ramsey believes he is in much the same position.
"I am back on August 1, so I have a few weeks off but, obviously, it kicks off a couple of weeks afterwards," he said. "A few years ago, Germany won the World Cup and the German players came in just a few days before the first game of the season, but they missed that."He [Wenger] does like to give players a little break and I'll be getting the same treatment. I feel I need a few weeks off now."
Ramsey's strong form at Euro 2016 culminated in a superb performance in the quarter-final win over Belgium, in which he set up two goals in the 3-1 victory in Lille.
Although Wales' historic campaign ultimately ended in disappointment, the former Cardiff City man is glad to have impressed in France."Before the tournament, I was really keen to do well and stand up and be noticed," he said. "I feel that I've done that.
"It helps playing in this team, as well, but I wanted to personally do my best and I think I have."
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey fears he will not be fit for the start of the Premier League season following his Euro 2016 exertions with Wales.
The 25-year-old excelled during the tournament in France, though he was suspended for Wednesday's semi-final defeat at the hands of Portugal in Lyon.
Ramsey is now set to take a holiday before returning for pre-season duty with Arsenal at the beginning of next month, giving him just less than two weeks to recover fitness before their opening Premier League game against Liverpool on August 14.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger gave extended leave to Germany trio Lukas Podolski, Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker following their World Cup triumph two years ago, and Ramsey believes he is in much the same position.
"I am back on August 1, so I have a few weeks off but, obviously, it kicks off a couple of weeks afterwards," he said. "A few years ago, Germany won the World Cup and the German players came in just a few days before the first game of the season, but they missed that."He [Wenger] does like to give players a little break and I'll be getting the same treatment. I feel I need a few weeks off now."
Ramsey's strong form at Euro 2016 culminated in a superb performance in the quarter-final win over Belgium, in which he set up two goals in the 3-1 victory in Lille.
Although Wales' historic campaign ultimately ended in disappointment, the former Cardiff City man is glad to have impressed in France."Before the tournament, I was really keen to do well and stand up and be noticed," he said. "I feel that I've done that.
"It helps playing in this team, as well, but I wanted to personally do my best and I think I have."
Chelsea move off! Nainggolan vows to stay at Roma
Radja Nainggolan has insisted that he has no intention of leaving Roma amid ongoing speculation he could depart the Serie A side for Chelsea.
New Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is a keen admirer of the combative midfielder and had been hopeful of luring him to Stamford Bridge.The Belgium international confirmed there had been contact between the two clubs, with Goal learning in April that a deal had been struck.
However, Nainggolan has made the decision to stay at Roma after a meeting with sporting director Walter Sabatini.
"I met with Sabatini and everything went well," he told reporters."I am staying at Roma."
Nainggolan joined Roma on loan from Cagliari in January 2014 before the switch was made permanent in June 2015 and has since developed into a key figure at the Stadio Olimpico.He has a contract with Roma until June 2020.
The 28-year-old was an integral part of the Belgium side that made it to the quarter-finals at Euro 2016, scoring twice in five appearances.
Radja Nainggolan has insisted that he has no intention of leaving Roma amid ongoing speculation he could depart the Serie A side for Chelsea.
New Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is a keen admirer of the combative midfielder and had been hopeful of luring him to Stamford Bridge.The Belgium international confirmed there had been contact between the two clubs, with Goal learning in April that a deal had been struck.
However, Nainggolan has made the decision to stay at Roma after a meeting with sporting director Walter Sabatini.
"I met with Sabatini and everything went well," he told reporters."I am staying at Roma."
Nainggolan joined Roma on loan from Cagliari in January 2014 before the switch was made permanent in June 2015 and has since developed into a key figure at the Stadio Olimpico.He has a contract with Roma until June 2020.
The 28-year-old was an integral part of the Belgium side that made it to the quarter-finals at Euro 2016, scoring twice in five appearances.
OFFICIAL: Middlesbrough sign goalkeeper Valdes
Middlesbrough have completed the signing of goalkeeper Victor Valdes after the Spain international left Manchester United.
The former Barcelona man has signed a two-year contract with the newly-promoted side and becomes their fifth summer signing.
Valdes departed United after making just two appearances for the club under Louis van Gaal, having had a public falling-out with the Dutchman.
Valdes was accused of refusing to play for the club's Under-21 side by Van Gaal, a claim he strenuously denied. He eventually made three appearances for the youth squad before spending the second half of last season on loan at Standard Liege.
The Spaniard won the World Cup with his country in 2010, and was also a member of La Roja's European Championship-winning squad in 2012, while he lifted six La Liga titles at Barca, along with three Champions League trophies.
Middlesbrough have made significant efforts to reshape their squad this summer, acquiring Viktor Fischer from Ajax, Bernardo Espinosa from Sporting Gijon, Jordan McGhee from Hearts and Marten de Roon from Atalanta.
Middlesbrough have completed the signing of goalkeeper Victor Valdes after the Spain international left Manchester United.
The former Barcelona man has signed a two-year contract with the newly-promoted side and becomes their fifth summer signing.
Valdes departed United after making just two appearances for the club under Louis van Gaal, having had a public falling-out with the Dutchman.
Valdes was accused of refusing to play for the club's Under-21 side by Van Gaal, a claim he strenuously denied. He eventually made three appearances for the youth squad before spending the second half of last season on loan at Standard Liege.
The Spaniard won the World Cup with his country in 2010, and was also a member of La Roja's European Championship-winning squad in 2012, while he lifted six La Liga titles at Barca, along with three Champions League trophies.
Middlesbrough have made significant efforts to reshape their squad this summer, acquiring Viktor Fischer from Ajax, Bernardo Espinosa from Sporting Gijon, Jordan McGhee from Hearts and Marten de Roon from Atalanta.
Germany 0-2 France: Griezmann double sends Les Bleus through to Euro 2016 final
Antoine Griezmann's double sent hosts France through to the final of Euro 2016 with a 2-0 win over world champions Germany in Marseille.
Griezmann gave Les Bleus the lead from the spot after Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger was adjudged to have handled inside the penalty area right on the stroke of half time.
Joachim Low's men dominated proceedings until the spot-kick decision, but they posed less of a threat after the break – failing to register a shot on target until injury time as France defended stoutly.And Griezmann sealed the victory in the closing stages after mistakes from Joshua Kimmich and Manuel Neuer presented him with a simple finish.
Germany had beaten France en route to their World Cup success two years ago, but they will not secure a famous double as their 20-year wait for a continental crown goes on, with Portugal now awaiting Les Bleus in Sunday's final at Stade de France.
After winning their first major semi-final appearance since the 2006 World Cup, Didier Deschamps' side will be favourites as they look to seal glory having won their two previous Euro finals.
France – playing with an unchanged team for the first time in Euros history – came close early on when Griezmann weaved through the Germany defence and forced Neuer into an important low save.
Germany responded swiftly, with Hugo Lloris at full stretch to keep out a threatening deflected effort from Emre Can, who was one of three changes for the world champions as they re-shuffled their pack due to the absences of Mario Gomez, Mats Hummels and Sami Khedira.
Die Mannschaft were the more threatening side as the first half progressed as Toni Kroos went down right on the edge of the box under pressure from Paul Pogba and Samuel Umtiti, but referee Nicola Rizzoli was unmoved as the Real Madrid midfielder claimed for a penalty.
Germany were taking charge of possession, but the match took a dramatic twist seconds before the half-time whistle when Rizzoli did point to the spot at the other end.In the match that saw him crowned the most-capped European player at major international tournaments, Schweinsteiger denied Evra the chance to head at goal with his arm from close-range after Griezmann's corner.
Griezmann stepped up and he showed no nerves to send Neuer the wrong way despite having missed a penalty in the Champions League final for Atletico Madrid less than six weeks ago.And Germany suffered another huge blow when key centre-back, Jerome Boateng, limped off after an hour at the Stade Velodrome.
Germany continued to have most of the ball in the second half, but they had failed to trouble Lloris before Griezmann secured a famous home victory with 18 minutes remaining.
Pogba capitalised on a defensive error from Kimmich and when Neuer could only push his cross into the path of Griezmann, the forward stabbed home his sixth goal of the tournament.
Kimmich - trying to atone for his earlier error - curled an excellent effort off the far post from the edge of the area, but Germany ultimately failed to trouble Lloris until it was too late.
The Tottenham keeper made a brilliant stoppage-time save from Kimmich's header to preserve his clean sheet as France booked their date against Portugal in the final on home soil.
Antoine Griezmann's double sent hosts France through to the final of Euro 2016 with a 2-0 win over world champions Germany in Marseille.
Griezmann gave Les Bleus the lead from the spot after Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger was adjudged to have handled inside the penalty area right on the stroke of half time.
Joachim Low's men dominated proceedings until the spot-kick decision, but they posed less of a threat after the break – failing to register a shot on target until injury time as France defended stoutly.And Griezmann sealed the victory in the closing stages after mistakes from Joshua Kimmich and Manuel Neuer presented him with a simple finish.
Germany had beaten France en route to their World Cup success two years ago, but they will not secure a famous double as their 20-year wait for a continental crown goes on, with Portugal now awaiting Les Bleus in Sunday's final at Stade de France.
After winning their first major semi-final appearance since the 2006 World Cup, Didier Deschamps' side will be favourites as they look to seal glory having won their two previous Euro finals.
France – playing with an unchanged team for the first time in Euros history – came close early on when Griezmann weaved through the Germany defence and forced Neuer into an important low save.
Germany responded swiftly, with Hugo Lloris at full stretch to keep out a threatening deflected effort from Emre Can, who was one of three changes for the world champions as they re-shuffled their pack due to the absences of Mario Gomez, Mats Hummels and Sami Khedira.
Die Mannschaft were the more threatening side as the first half progressed as Toni Kroos went down right on the edge of the box under pressure from Paul Pogba and Samuel Umtiti, but referee Nicola Rizzoli was unmoved as the Real Madrid midfielder claimed for a penalty.
Germany were taking charge of possession, but the match took a dramatic twist seconds before the half-time whistle when Rizzoli did point to the spot at the other end.In the match that saw him crowned the most-capped European player at major international tournaments, Schweinsteiger denied Evra the chance to head at goal with his arm from close-range after Griezmann's corner.
Griezmann stepped up and he showed no nerves to send Neuer the wrong way despite having missed a penalty in the Champions League final for Atletico Madrid less than six weeks ago.And Germany suffered another huge blow when key centre-back, Jerome Boateng, limped off after an hour at the Stade Velodrome.
Germany continued to have most of the ball in the second half, but they had failed to trouble Lloris before Griezmann secured a famous home victory with 18 minutes remaining.
Pogba capitalised on a defensive error from Kimmich and when Neuer could only push his cross into the path of Griezmann, the forward stabbed home his sixth goal of the tournament.
Kimmich - trying to atone for his earlier error - curled an excellent effort off the far post from the edge of the area, but Germany ultimately failed to trouble Lloris until it was too late.
The Tottenham keeper made a brilliant stoppage-time save from Kimmich's header to preserve his clean sheet as France booked their date against Portugal in the final on home soil.
Low bemoans 'bad luck' over contentious Schweinsteiger penalty call
Joachim Low believes Germany deserved to progress to the Euro 2016 final, but has refused to blame referee Nicola Rizzoli for his side's 2-0 semi-final defeat to France on Thursday.Antoine Griezmann was the hero for the hosts, as he scored twice in Marseille to secure a 2-0 victory over the world champions.
There was an air of controversy over his opening goal on the stroke of half-time, however, with official Rizzoli awarding Les Bleus a penalty after Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area.Low, though, says the decision was merely "bad luck", and maintains that his side were the better team at Stade Velodrome.
"I don't say anything about referees' decisions, you have to accept them. The penalty, I don't know, there is this rule, if the hand is not on the body… if you see how Bastian approached the ball, the ball touched his hand in a tenth of a second," Low told a post-match news conference.
"The player can't think about that, it's bad luck. You can say the hand shouldn't be there but there are movements when you jump and you can't control them. I can't blame any player for that.
"Too many things went wrong but I must give a great compliment to the team, we were the better side. We gave a lot and had a body language of power. It was unfortunate that we conceded the goal, that was bad luck, the ball touched the hand a minute before half-time.
"We had our chances, regretfully we didn't score. We didn't have the luck we needed but in 2012 [European Championship semi-final loss to Italy] or 2010 [World Cup semi-final loss to Spain] when we went out, the side that beat us were better than us."Today that wasn't the case, we were better than the French."
Germany were without several regulars for the encounter, with Sami Khedira and Mario Gomez injured and Mats Hummels suspended, while Jerome Boateng also sustained an injury during the match, and Low believes that the absence of key personnel hit his side hard."There were injured players like Khedira and Gomez, Hummels was suspended and that's not easy to compensate for," he added.
"Jerome Boateng had to leave the pitch and we were weaker after that, that's four important players we didn't have but the team did everything I told them, we were very brave so there's nothing to blame them for."
Joachim Low believes Germany deserved to progress to the Euro 2016 final, but has refused to blame referee Nicola Rizzoli for his side's 2-0 semi-final defeat to France on Thursday.Antoine Griezmann was the hero for the hosts, as he scored twice in Marseille to secure a 2-0 victory over the world champions.
There was an air of controversy over his opening goal on the stroke of half-time, however, with official Rizzoli awarding Les Bleus a penalty after Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area.Low, though, says the decision was merely "bad luck", and maintains that his side were the better team at Stade Velodrome.
"I don't say anything about referees' decisions, you have to accept them. The penalty, I don't know, there is this rule, if the hand is not on the body… if you see how Bastian approached the ball, the ball touched his hand in a tenth of a second," Low told a post-match news conference.
"The player can't think about that, it's bad luck. You can say the hand shouldn't be there but there are movements when you jump and you can't control them. I can't blame any player for that.
"Too many things went wrong but I must give a great compliment to the team, we were the better side. We gave a lot and had a body language of power. It was unfortunate that we conceded the goal, that was bad luck, the ball touched the hand a minute before half-time.
"We had our chances, regretfully we didn't score. We didn't have the luck we needed but in 2012 [European Championship semi-final loss to Italy] or 2010 [World Cup semi-final loss to Spain] when we went out, the side that beat us were better than us."Today that wasn't the case, we were better than the French."
Germany were without several regulars for the encounter, with Sami Khedira and Mario Gomez injured and Mats Hummels suspended, while Jerome Boateng also sustained an injury during the match, and Low believes that the absence of key personnel hit his side hard."There were injured players like Khedira and Gomez, Hummels was suspended and that's not easy to compensate for," he added.
"Jerome Boateng had to leave the pitch and we were weaker after that, that's four important players we didn't have but the team did everything I told them, we were very brave so there's nothing to blame them for."
Zidane's rightful heir: Griezmann elevated to France legend status
Zinedine Zidane will forever be the hero of his hometown of Marseille, but for just one night the Real Madrid coach was upstaged by France's newest legend: Antoine Griezmann.
‘Zizou’ will not begrudge the attacker his place in the spotlight, despite the 25-year-old turning out for his side’s fierce city rivals, Atletico, for it was he who secured France’s place in the Euro 2016 final on Sunday thanks to a 2-0 win over Germany.
Les Bleus withstood virtually unrelenting pressure for their opponents after making a bright start to the game, yet on the rare occasions they were able to push forward, it was the contribution of the forward quickly becoming known as ‘Grizou’ that proved decisive once again.
Shortly before the interval, France secured a rare foothold in opposing territory thanks to a corner. From the delivery, Bastian Schweinsteiger was hopelessly caught out and handled the ball, presenting Griezmann with the opportunity to beat Manuel Neuer from 12 yards.
Having missed a vital kick for Atleti in their Champions League final defeat to Real, it would have been easy for the forward to shun such a high-pressure situation. But France’s leader took responsibility and fired the ball into the top corner of the net.
Midway through the second period, he was on the mark again. Germany were unusually sloppy in their own box, with Paul Pogba stealing possession. Neuer failed to adequately cope with the cross, and Griezmann was on hand to poke that ball through the goalkeeper’s legs and into the goal.
It was his fifth goal of Euro 2016 – a tally in an individual European Championship bettered only by Michel Platini’s nine goals in 1984. The Juventus star scored twice in a classic 3-2 semi-final victory at the Velodrome over Portugal, yet prior to this encounter Didier Deschamps urged his side to write their own history, and it was Griezmann who was the author.
While there were other key performers in the hosts’ team, notably from captain Hugo Lloris, central defensive rookie Samuel Umtiti and the industrious Moussa Sissoko, all of their best attacking moments were channelled through the sprightly Atleti star.
France spent much of the game pinned into the 30 yards closest to their goal by a Germany side that dominated possession and territory. Opportunities for relief were precious and often wasted, yet when the hosts’ defence was offered the chance for a moment of respite it was inevitably thanks to the player released by Lyon for being too small in his youth.
It is the story of Griezmann’s tournament to date. When France have needed him most, he has inevitably done so. He had headed a vital late goal in this stadium when his side were apparently failing against Albania and then in les Bleus’ most dire moment of need, he scored twice to transform a 1-0 deficit against the Republic of Ireland into a 2-1 victory.
In November, Griezmann played France defeated Germany 2-0 at Stade de France in a match that will be forever associated with the terror attacks on Paris – with the player’s sister present but safe at the Bataclan Theatre, where 89 were killed.
The emotions in Marseille could not have been any different as France moved to within 90 minutes of a third major crown in succession on home soil – and it was Griezmann who was the hero. Another similarly decisive performance on Sunday and he will rightly be held in the same esteem as Zidane and Platini.
Zinedine Zidane will forever be the hero of his hometown of Marseille, but for just one night the Real Madrid coach was upstaged by France's newest legend: Antoine Griezmann.
‘Zizou’ will not begrudge the attacker his place in the spotlight, despite the 25-year-old turning out for his side’s fierce city rivals, Atletico, for it was he who secured France’s place in the Euro 2016 final on Sunday thanks to a 2-0 win over Germany.
Les Bleus withstood virtually unrelenting pressure for their opponents after making a bright start to the game, yet on the rare occasions they were able to push forward, it was the contribution of the forward quickly becoming known as ‘Grizou’ that proved decisive once again.
Shortly before the interval, France secured a rare foothold in opposing territory thanks to a corner. From the delivery, Bastian Schweinsteiger was hopelessly caught out and handled the ball, presenting Griezmann with the opportunity to beat Manuel Neuer from 12 yards.
Having missed a vital kick for Atleti in their Champions League final defeat to Real, it would have been easy for the forward to shun such a high-pressure situation. But France’s leader took responsibility and fired the ball into the top corner of the net.
Midway through the second period, he was on the mark again. Germany were unusually sloppy in their own box, with Paul Pogba stealing possession. Neuer failed to adequately cope with the cross, and Griezmann was on hand to poke that ball through the goalkeeper’s legs and into the goal.
It was his fifth goal of Euro 2016 – a tally in an individual European Championship bettered only by Michel Platini’s nine goals in 1984. The Juventus star scored twice in a classic 3-2 semi-final victory at the Velodrome over Portugal, yet prior to this encounter Didier Deschamps urged his side to write their own history, and it was Griezmann who was the author.
While there were other key performers in the hosts’ team, notably from captain Hugo Lloris, central defensive rookie Samuel Umtiti and the industrious Moussa Sissoko, all of their best attacking moments were channelled through the sprightly Atleti star.
France spent much of the game pinned into the 30 yards closest to their goal by a Germany side that dominated possession and territory. Opportunities for relief were precious and often wasted, yet when the hosts’ defence was offered the chance for a moment of respite it was inevitably thanks to the player released by Lyon for being too small in his youth.
It is the story of Griezmann’s tournament to date. When France have needed him most, he has inevitably done so. He had headed a vital late goal in this stadium when his side were apparently failing against Albania and then in les Bleus’ most dire moment of need, he scored twice to transform a 1-0 deficit against the Republic of Ireland into a 2-1 victory.
In November, Griezmann played France defeated Germany 2-0 at Stade de France in a match that will be forever associated with the terror attacks on Paris – with the player’s sister present but safe at the Bataclan Theatre, where 89 were killed.
The emotions in Marseille could not have been any different as France moved to within 90 minutes of a third major crown in succession on home soil – and it was Griezmann who was the hero. Another similarly decisive performance on Sunday and he will rightly be held in the same esteem as Zidane and Platini.
Man Utd have not made a bid for Lozano - Pachuca boss
Manchester United have not made an offer for Pachuca attacker Hirving Lozano, according to the Mexican club's manager Diego Alonso.
Speculation intensified regarding a potential move earlier this week when Lozano's father-in-law claimed that the 20-year-old was poised to sign for the Premier League giants.
However, Alonso maintains that there has yet to be a formal offer tabled for Lozano, and insists that the club expect the player to remain with them.
"I am very calm because I know he [Lozano] has spoken with club officials. He spoke with Jesus Martinez and they explained to him the reality of the situation,” Alonso said."And the reality is that today he must be fully focused on Pachuca because there is absolutely nothing [with Manchester United]," Alonso told reporters, as quoted by Univision.
"Logically there is going to be interest [from big clubs] but there have been no offers. If we get an offer he will be the first to know it, but we plan for El Chuky to be with us throughout the rest of the season."
Lozano scored 12 goals in 47 appearances for Pachuca in 2015-16, and has also won seven caps for Mexico.
Manchester United have not made an offer for Pachuca attacker Hirving Lozano, according to the Mexican club's manager Diego Alonso.
Speculation intensified regarding a potential move earlier this week when Lozano's father-in-law claimed that the 20-year-old was poised to sign for the Premier League giants.
However, Alonso maintains that there has yet to be a formal offer tabled for Lozano, and insists that the club expect the player to remain with them.
"I am very calm because I know he [Lozano] has spoken with club officials. He spoke with Jesus Martinez and they explained to him the reality of the situation,” Alonso said."And the reality is that today he must be fully focused on Pachuca because there is absolutely nothing [with Manchester United]," Alonso told reporters, as quoted by Univision.
"Logically there is going to be interest [from big clubs] but there have been no offers. If we get an offer he will be the first to know it, but we plan for El Chuky to be with us throughout the rest of the season."
Lozano scored 12 goals in 47 appearances for Pachuca in 2015-16, and has also won seven caps for Mexico.
