Ahead of their semi-final clash on Thursday, Germany and France UAE-based fans give their verdict on the game.
To gain an insight into the mindset of the fans we asked UAE fans to share with us their predictions, likely line-ups and players to watch.
Do you agree or have they missed the mark? Use #360Fans to share with us your thoughts.
GERMANY – Frank Scheunert (Hedge Fund Manager, Dubai)
It’s been a long time since France got the better of Germany at a major tournament. We have managed to beat Les Bleus in our last three competitive meetings – at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups and, more recently, on our way to lifting the trophy in Brazil two years ago.
That was a tight game and a narrow 1-0 victory was secured thanks to an early goal from Mats Hummels, who is unfortunately missing from this reunion with France through suspension after picking up a yellow card against Italy.
France, who won the European Championship in 2000, were very impressive against Iceland. There was a lot of pressure on them in that game and they showed they can handle the burden of expectation by smashing five goals past their opponents to ease through their quarter-final. While they had it easy, Germany did it the hard way – beating Italy on penalties.
We may be more tired – after playing a draining, tactical game against the Azzurri – and will not be helped against France by the key players who we have missing. Mario Gomez is out of the tournament and Hummels is suspended, while Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger also appear likely to miss out. Despite this, Joachim Low’s side has a real winning mentality and I still believe we can beat France.
PREDICTION: Germany 2-1 France
LIKELY GERMANY XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Boateng, Howedes, Hector; Weigl, Kroos; Draxler, Ozil, Muller; Gotze
GERMANY PLAYER TO WATCH: Thomas Muller. The words ‘broken’ and ‘record’ spring to mind. I feel like I’ve been tipping the Bayern Munich to end his goal drought for the past three weeks. But with Mario Gomez out, Muller will be more important than ever. He missed a penalty against Italy but I can feel it, against Les Bleus it’s Muller time!
FRANCE PLAYER TO FEAR: Antoine Griezmann – A very penetrative player, he is also chasing the golden boot in this tournament. He is very quick and always seems to be able to create space for his team-mates with his direct running. Very dangerous.
WHERE TO WATCH: ON42 at the Media One Hotel. But make sure to reserve a space or arrive at least an hour early as the place was absolutely packed for the Italy game.
FRANCE – Yves Thapele (E-commerce manager, Dubai)
So here we are, one step away from a third successive final in a tournament we’ve hosted. First there was Euro 1984, then World Cup 1998, but will Euro 2016 also end with French hands on the Henri Delaunay trophy?
The match against Iceland was a wonderful, buccaneering display from Les Bleus as they avoided the potential banana skin of Iceland. The 5-2 quarter-final victory now has French people believing that this team really does have what it takes to win the whole tournament.
It would be dangerous to look ahead to the final though as Germany are first up. We don’t have a great record against them in competitive fixtures and they of course are the reigning champions of the world. It would be foolish to underestimate the German threat but similarly, France should trust their attacking players to perform as they did against Iceland.
Samuel Umtiti looked solid in defence and could well keep his place ahead of Adil Rami – otherwise France will be unchanged for this huge game in Marseille, where we played our last European Championship semi-final, against Portugal in 1984. That was 3-2 and the same result this time would do nicely. Allez Les Bleus!
PREDICTION: Germany 2-3 France
LIKELY FRANCE XI: Lloris; Sagna, Umtiti, Koscielny, Evra; Cabaye, Matuidi, Pogba; Griezmann, Giroud, Payet
FRANCE PLAYER TO WATCH: Paul Pogba – He’s finally getting warmed up and has really grown into the tournament the past few games. The Juventus midfielder is of course not as good as Zinedine Zidane…yet. But he is still our midfield maestro and his energy and incisive passing will be key against Germany.
GERMANY PLAYER TO FEAR: Mesut Ozil – The Arsenal playmaker has played really well at Euro 2016 and pulls the creative strings for Germany. Missed a penalty in the shootout against Italy but he also scored in the match so expect him to bounce straight back.
WHERE TO WATCH: Barasti!
