Previews
JUE 07.07.2016
LaLiga is guaranteed to have several representatives in the EURO 2016 final. Portugal, with Pepe, André Gomes and Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks, are already through after getting the better of Wales, while tonight we will find out the identity of the second finalists, who will be the winners of the blockbuster clash between hosts France and reigning world champions Germany at the Velodrome in Marseille.
With Antoine Griezmann leading the charge, France enter the semi-finals on the strength of a 5-2 win over Iceland and are considered the favourites for the crown on account of their home advantage. On top of that, coach Didier Deschamps is boosted by the fact that Adil Rami and N'Golo Kante are available for selection again, having missed the quarter-finals through suspension. He can also call on one of the sensations of the tournament, Dimitri Payet, who has been in consistently inspirational form.
The Amazing @AntoGriezmann #EURO2016 #LaLiga pic.twitter.com/W5v8SABZUF
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) July 5, 2016
However, France can expect to have their work cut out up against Germany, the 2014 World Cup winners, who have a three-strong LaLiga contingent in Toni Kroos, Shkodran Mustafi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen. One question mark hovering over the Die Mannschaft camp concerns the fitness of Bastian Schweinsteiger, who picked up a knock last time out. Meanwhile, former Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira is out injured, as is Mario Gomez, while Mats Hummels is suspended. The Germans reached the last four with victory over a rugged Italy side, although it took a penalty shootout for them to prevail, with the scores level at 1-1 after 90 minutes and then again at the end of extra time.
The semi-final is sure to serve up plenty of excitement, emotion and fine football as two familiar foes do battle for the chance to take on Portugal in the EURO 2016 final this coming Sunday, 10 July.
© LALIGA - 2016