Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Betty MacDonald, Nicola Rizzoli and new Betty MacDonald fan club DVD

egg_french_1947_paperback_FRONT
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Betty MacDonald in the living room at Vashon on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post.

 

Betty MacDonald fan club fans,

many greetings from International Betty MacDonald fan club event France 2016.

That was incredible!

What an unforgettable game!

It should have been the Final: France vs Germany! 

Many fans incl. Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Linde Lund are very critical that Italian Nicola Rizzoli was the referee after Germany won against Italy.

UEFA never did this before and many fans from all over the world ask the reason why.

Nicola Rizzoli did a huge mistake.

( see  comment below ) 

Many fans believe that Germany had two matches against Italy.

We had lots of fun in Paris and France.

There will be a new Intenational Betty MacDonald fan club event France 2016 DVD very soon with many bonus items.

I'm sad that France lost the final but many fans say with Nicola Rizzoli as referee France would have won against Portugal.

Wishing you a greatTuesday!

Nadine

 


Euro 2016 Ref Cam review – Nicola Rizzoli

Rizzoli 2
 
Nicola Rizzoli caused controversy with the decision to award France a penalty
Hosts France made it through to the Euro 2016 Final on Thursday night, with a helping hand from Bastian Schweinsteiger and referee Nicola Rizzoli. Rizzoli, who has refereed a UEFA Champions League Final and FIFA World Cup Final, made a huge call on the stroke of half-time to award France a penalty when Patrice Evra headed the ball against the arm of the Germany captain.
The danger seemed to have been cleared but suddenly a caution was brandished and the Italian official pointed to the spot amidst German protests. Antoine Griezmann converted, and his second half effort sealed the victory.
Former FIFA official Glenn Turner was covering the game on our Ref Cam service, and he was firm in the decision that Rizzoli and his team got the big decision wrong.
“The huge talking point is the referee,” Turner reported in his post-match summary. “Nicola Rizzoli made a massive call at the end of the first half when he gifted a penalty kick to the hosts.
“Our Refcam followers sent Twitter crazy with their contrasting views on whether he called it correctly or not. I’m afraid he got it wrong, and the reason is clear.
“In order to give a direct free-kick (or penalty kick) for handball the offence has to be deliberate, and for me it was far from it.”
Read more: Ref Cam review – Germany v France
Other than that, Rizzoli was ‘calmness personified’ throughout the game, a good lesson for referees of how manage a match in difficult circumstances, but unfortunately the penalty call will remain the abiding memory.
“Overall, Rizzoli was doing very well right up until the incorrect penalty call,” Turner added. “He went from having a very good game to changing the result with one big mistake.
“It is such a shame that his mistake will forever mask what was otherwise a good performance, but big calls change games – that was not good enough at this level.”

Dear Nathalie Licard, Aashish Bernd Eugenia Dawid Heiderose Hichem Julieta Nunzia Marvin Melitta Miroslav Peter Tatjana Thomas Ursula Pram Ram Peter Peter Immo Pieter Pat Perkeo Thomas Barth Werner Mathias Michael Michail Sabine Rudi Friedrich Giuseppe Nicolà Duncan Waseem and all our other friends, my German friends told me you were so very happy when France won the football match against Germany. You said you are convinced that the French team will win the title because they are going to write history but as we all know now Portugal is the winner. As you can see the better team isn't always the winner. It was similiar in the match France vs Germany. What's your opinion? I don't understand why Nicola Rizzoli had to take the job after Germany won against Italy. UEFA never did this before. I ask the reason why this time? Best wishes from Sweden, Linde and Lund family

https://www.facebook.com/Nathalie-Licard-146751962065480/
 

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.de/…/betty-macdonald-…
April 6 ·
© Raphael Grinevald


 

Dawid Brueckner It´s a beautiful reconstruction. Thank you Linde .


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Bernd Kunze
Bernd Kunze we will be there, one year vita magica, congratulations Wolfgang Hampel and Rita Kocher.







Linde Lund Dearst Rita Kocher und Wolfgang Hampel Congratulations!!!! Happy Birthday Vita Magica and all the best for the future! All our love and best wishes from Linde, Astrid and Lund family
Like · Reply · 1 · 21 hrs
Thomas Bödigheimer
Unlike · Reply · 1 · 20 hrs



    Vita Magica - Sketch über den Brexit Linde Lund - Tatjana Geßler - Ursula Gugler -


    Vita Magica - Lyrik, Prosa, Satire Programm Juni 2016 Anknüpfend an die langjährige Reihe "Vita Poetica" unterbreiten uns die Autoren Rita Kocher und Wolfgan...
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Linde Lund Very funny indeed! Dearest Thomas thank you so much for sharing this!! Rita and Wolfgang did an excellent job. Both are great comedians!!!!! All the best and many greetings from Linde, Astrid and Lund family


Heute war wieder Vita Magica in Heidelberg, gleichzeitig 1 Jähriges Jubiläum - 12 Lesungen in einem Jahr Linde Lund - Tatjana Geßler


1 Jahr ist rum, 12 Lesungen in Vita Magica Anknüpfend an die langjährige Reihe "Vita Poetica" unterbreiten uns die Autoren Rita Kocher und Wolfgang Hampel ei...
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Linde Lund Dearest Thomas thank you so much. We can see you had lots of fun and joy! Many greetings to you, Rita and Wolfgang. Happy birthday dear Vita Magica and all the best for the future. Yours, Linde, Astrid and Lund family




 

Don't miss this very special book, please.



Vita Magica 

Betty MacDonald fan club

Betty MacDonald forum  

Wolfgang Hampel - Wikipedia ( English ) 

Wolfgang Hampel - Wikipedia ( English ) - The Egg and I 

Wolfgang Hampel - Wikipedia ( German )

Vashon Island - Wikipedia ( German )

Wolfgang Hampel - Monica Sone - Wikipedia ( English )

Wolfgang Hampel - Ma and Pa Kettle - Wikipedia ( English )

Wolfgang Hampel - Ma and Pa Kettle - Wikipedia ( French ) 


Wolfgang Hampel - Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle - Wikipedia ( English)

Wolfgang Hampel in Florida State University 

Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel 

Betty MacDonald fan club interviews on CD/DVD

Betty MacDonald fan club items 

Betty MacDonald fan club items  - comments

Betty MacDonald fan club - The Stove and I  

Betty MacDonald fan club groups 

Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Linde Lund  
 


 

Rita Knobel Ulrich - Islam in Germany - a very interesting ZDF  ( 2nd German Television ) documentary with English subtitles 

 

 

Germany vs France, Euro 2016 semi-final live: Griezmann fires France to Euro 2016 final vs Portugal with brilliant double






France celebrations Griezmann goal





Match Summary

Germany 0 - 2 France
European Championship Finals07/07/2016 20:00
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli|Venue: Stade Vélodrome|Attendance: 64,078
  • Antoine Griezmann45+2'
  • Antoine Griezmann72'


How did France win?

Euro 2016: Griezmann’s heroics vs Germany Play! 00:18
To enter the BetVictor Million Pound Goal competition click here

Key match stats

Germany v France: key match stats Play! 01:02


Paul Hayward on the match





Germany v France - EURO 2016 - Semi Final - Stade Velodrome, Marseille, France - 7/7/16 - France's Paul Pogba celebrates after the match
Credit: REUTERS
Anyone who says history is an irrelevant backdrop to these games should have been here to witness the intensity of Germany versus France: the world champions against the hosts, in game 50 of this sprawling tournament, with two great traditions at stake.
There has been much to commend this European Championship, but few direct clashes to bring butterflies to stomachs. Germany v Italy was one, but Germany v France was on another level, with a final against Portugal awaiting this collision of surely the two best teams in France. Even the climate did its bit, baking this coastal city and adding the extra clamminess that comes with great sport on hot summer nights.

Player ratings



Antoine Griezmann

The star of the show, Antoine Griezmann was last to leave the pitch tonight and even took a wee bow. A lot of transfer gossip will follow this performance with various Premier League clubs linked to him but it'd take either an insane amount of money or a looney Atletico Madrid decision to sell his contract. Then again, Atletico have often sold on their best players for a lot of cash and then bought another potential wonderstar and developed him into exactly that. Diego Costa, Sergio Aguero, Radamel Falcao - they've all been sold for multiple pennies.
As it is, let's just enjoy the France vs Portugal final. Just because all the UK teams are out of the tournament doesn't mean we have to instantly start thinking about Transfer Deadline Day.

Iceland on the wind-up



Motherwell are the real kings of our hearts



What a match

Well it's good that it took until the second semi-final to give us a great game (Portugal vs Hungary was entertaining too, I suppose) but that was outstanding.
Germany made two mistakes, France scored two goals.

FULL TIME

And that's it! France are in the final of Euro 2016!

90 mins +4

Germany still haven't given up. They keep coming forward. The referee looks at his watch...

90 mins +3

That is possibly the best goalkeeper save I have ever seen. Howedes gets his head to a cross inside the six yard box and powers the ball at goal, but Lloris flings himself across his goal - surely on instinct alone - and parries the ball behind. Absolutely amazing. Jaw dropping.




Lloris save

90 mins +2

Cabaye's first involvement is to foul Kroos 30 yards out but Ozil's freekick is headed away by Koscielny.

90 mins +2

Griezmann is about to come off for France. Understandably he gets a standing ovation - he has been incredible this evening.
Yohan Cabaye comes on his place for the final two minutes of added time.

90 mins

The fans are Olaying every pass now. The final awaits France for sure. Germany have run out of ideas and can't break them down.

89 mins

Gignac twists and turns on the edge of the box and manages to get a shot away but Neuer saves once more. Speaking of Germany's keeper, he's now playing 40 yards out from his own goal as a sweeper.

88 mins

Griezmann is something else. He bursts away from the Germany defence and sprints past the last man on his way to goal. The defender tries to grab his shirt and pull him back but he stays up, cuts on to his right and then shoots. Neuer saves. France are now in control of the ball, the possession and the match.

85 mins

Pogba does so well to hold off a challenge and keep control of the ball on the turn. He's a good player, if not worth £100million. Griezmann however...
What can Germany do? France are defending in numbers but still the ball is being pinged into the box from wide.
Sissoko has run all night long here too, he's been excellent. In fact, I dare say he's tried harder tonight than he has all season for Newcastle.

82 mins

Kimmich tries to live dangerously while the furthest man back and is lucky to get away with a slip! Gignac, who has come on for Giroud, is not impressed with what he thinks is play acting.
Howedes powers a header from a free-kick just over the cross bar.

79 mins

Leroy Sane comes on for Schweinsteiger and with his first touch, nearly scores. Phew! Just wide but it's a corner. The corner comes in, bobbles loose in the area and Mustafi has the chance to shoot on the volley 12 yards out! He rushes his effort and puts it over the bar. 10 minutes left!

76 mins

While I've been typing at 400mph, a lot has happened. Kimmich has hit the very top corner of the cross bar from 30 yards, France have taken a shot which flew just wide of Neuer's goal and Draxler has seen a freekick slam into the advertising boards behind the goal. This is such a good game.

72 mins

GOOOOAAAALLLLLL! GRIEZMANN HAS DONE IT! 




Griezmann goal
Oh Kimmich what were you thinking?! Griezmann scores his sixth of the tournament! Kimmich plays a dreadful back pass in the box and the defence is in pieces! Pogba steals it, doesn't go down in the area and keeps control. A defender takes him on, he does a little lollipop and then completely burns his man, skipping past him. He crosses in, Neuer comes out but he makes a mess of it and completely misjudges the ball! Griezmann is there to poke into an empty net!

72 mins

Excellently worded.
Meanwhile, Payet is coming off to be replaced by N'Golo Kante. France want to protect their lead and what a player to bring on. Martin Keown says "with the season he's had it's like bringing two players on!".


69 mins

I thought I'd get your opinion on that handball decision.
 On Twitter, 55% of our followers think it was a penalty. But what about you? *Points through computer monitor at you*

68 mins

The break is on! France win it near their own box and a few seconds later Payet is outside the German penalty area. He cuts inside onto his right, fakes to shoot, then drags his shot harmlessly wide.
Germany go forward and Kimmich fires across the box. Draxler wins a corner at the near post. It's getting tense!

66 mins

Payet is on his back now clutching his face. Germany very sportingly put the ball out of play. Replays show Payet's pain was as a result of a ball smashing him in the face from a header. I think he'll survive.
Mario Gotze is getting ready to come on - Low's going to change things up a big. I'd guess one of Can or Schweinsteiger will make way here. It is Can who goes off.

63 mins

As you can see, Germany are in total control of the ball but France are in control of the scoreline. Giroud wins a corner by shielding the ball out and Koscielny heads just over from the cross. Germany still have France penned back in their defensive third.

61 mins

Boateng has gone down in the centre-circle and needs to come off. Something's gone twang in his right leg. He leaves the field and will be replaced by Shkodran Mustafi.

58 mins





last man
Look how far forward Germany are pushing now. Boateng and Howedes are wandering down the flanks to become playmakers.
Which begs the question - why aren't Schweinsteiger and Can doing that?

55 mins

Draxler is easily muscled out of the way by Evra as he tries to go around the French defender in the box. Germany starting to enjoy more of the ball in this half now - Ozil just turned 180 degrees on the spot with his first touch. Mark my words, he's one to watch, that boy.
Toni Kroos has just played a bad pass, which sadly means that now the universe has to end. It was nice while it lasted.

52 mins

Draxler is hassled into the corner, tries to keep the ball but has it stolen by Sissoko by the corner flag. Draxler is annoyed and chases for a few yards before lunging in from behind, clipping the ball but taking the man. Sissoko throws himself to the ground in agony and Draxler is booked. Thankfully, Sissoko has escaped this one with his life and remarkably is able to run at full pace seconds after the challenge.

50 mins

Koscielny gives the ball away and Germany attack quickly. Ozil runs in behind but the through-ball intended to find him is intercepted by Umtiti.

48 mins

Giroud only has Boateng to beat! How has this happened?! The striker has the ball in the box, works it onto his left foot and shoots! It's blocked.
Griezmann is so up for this one it's unreal. He flies in for another attack, links with Giroud and fires a shot which deflects off Boateng and over for a corner. Boateng shouts as his fellow defenders.

KICK-OFF 2!

We're back! Germany start the second 45 minutes as Mesut Ozil, who was booked in the aftermath of that penalty nonsense, begins play.

People are still debating the penalty

I don't understand the human race.

Football man



Balance of play

Germany should be able to get back into this one but as we said at the beginning of the match, they haven't been behind for a single minute in Euro 2016 so far. Actually, that's technically still the case since that goal came before the half time whistle blew.
Jogi Low has 10 minutes to tell his players to go out and do exactly what they were doing before. We could be on for a very exciting second half.

That handball





Schweinsteiger handball
Alan Shearer cannot believe that Rio Ferdinand and Thierry Henry think Schweinsteiger handballs here. "I thought it was supposed to be deliberate handball. He's trying to protect his face!" says the ex-England man but you can see (squint if you're on a mobile) that Schweinsteiger has jumped with his fist high in the air here, and it blocks Payet's shot. For me, Clive, that has to be a penalty.

Reaction

Thierry Henry says France are "more than fortunate" to go in a goal up at half-time.

HALF TIME

That's the end of the half.

45 mins+2

GOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL! GRIEZMANN SCORES!




Griezmann penalty
Incredible! The replay shows the referee makes the right decision and Griezmann batters his penalty into the top left corner. Brilliant penalty, Neuer dives the wrong way.

45 mins +1

PENALTY! FRANCE HAVE A PENALTY! Schweinsteiger booked for handball! OMG

45 mins

Suffice to say, Giroud is taking a bit of a pounding on Twitter at the moment. The chance disappears as a result of his lack of pace but Germany have gotten away with one there. That should have been 1-0.
France have a corner! Griezmann takes it and Payet tries to get his head on it. The referee blows a whistle. No idea what's going on here.

43 mins

GIROUD IS ONE ON ONE! BEHIND THE DEFENCE! But he's... slower than... well... you know when they do that challenge in World's Strongest Man where the competitor has to pull an entire aeroplane from a standing position, with just a rope wrapped around their waist? Yeh well Giroud runs slightly slower than that.

42 mins

It almost pays off immediately! Evra gets a through ball to feet, finds Griezmann to his right, and the striker gets into the box and blasts a shot at goal on his left foot. It hits the side-netting! GIROUD IS THROUGH!

40 mins

Germany want another penalty! Schweinsteiger goes down under a pull from Pogba but it would have been really harsh to give it. France getting slightly more into this now - Payet has moved into the middle of the pitch and Evra has started pushing higher up.

37 mins

Pogba takes the freekick but it's hit identically to Payet's and Neuer saves comfortably, again.
Just in case you weren't sure:




payet territory


36 mins

Yaaaay France are on the ball. Payet and Griezmann are by far and away their best players tonight so far, with the latter winning another freekick in Payet Territory after a foul from Emre Can. Can is booked and Muller goes straight up to him to make him wise up and cool his head. Can looks nervous this evening, which is understandable really.

34 mins





Germany defence
It's mad! Germany's two centre-backs are hanging out in France's half, with Giroud and Griezmann unable to push up high enough to cause them any problems on the ball. Deschamps needs to change something here - unless the plan is to draw the attack and hit on the counter-attack. That's a dangerous tactic against Germany.

32 mins

You can see how deep France are being forced back here. Germany's 21 and 3 are the two full-backs. Can France withstand the pressure?

30 mins

Ozil lines up a volley from the right but it's blocked and still Germany keep coming forward. The full-backs are pushed so far forward and Schweinsteiger is dropping back between Boateng and Howedes to form a tree in defence, then stepping out to dictate play from deep. This in turn means Toni Kroos is able to drift and actually get on the ball - Italy worked out that the key to stopping Germany is to stop Kroos. Low is trying to fix this.
France still cannot keep the ball! They've seen it maybe five times in the last five minutes but have lost possession almost straight away.

27 mins

It is Payet to take it... but Neuer dives to his right, keeps his eye on the ball and catches easily.




Payet freekick

24 mins

Payet is brought down in Payet Territory (30 yards from goal, from any position) and is lining up the set piece. Big chance for France here...

23 mins

Here's some proof for you:


22 mins

Kroos goes down in the area while trying to shoot but the referee says play on. On first look that seemed like the right decision but on replay, he definitely gets a wee kick. France don't know what to do here - they're being completely overrun.

20 mins

"France have barely smelt the ball in the last five minutes" says Steve Wilson, the commentator, as Germany have total control of possession. Not really sure why smelling comes into it but Germany are playing some great football.

17 mins

Pogba brings the ball forward and finds Payet down the left. He takes on Kimmich but the German wins the battle.

14 mins

Can goes close! The ball drops outside the box and he takes it on his left foot, forcing Lloris into a diving save! The danger isn't cleared and Ozil tries to conjure some magic but the French get back in numbers and clear. Germany are throwing men forward to dominate the opposition half.

13 mins

Close for Muller! He stretches to reach a cross along the ground from the right but can only steer it wide of the far post.




Muller shot


12 mins

This is great so far! Both teams changing possession quickly, both passing well, both looking to attack. Germany are probing the French defence at the moment.

8 mins

What a goal that would have been. Absolutely magical stuff from France! Matuidi plays a clever back heel flick back into Griezmann's path down the left, Griezmann collects at speed, links up again, cuts inside and past a defender, gets to the box and everything seems to open up for him! Griezmann shoots on his right foot... but Neuer parries and the deflection is dealt with.




Griezmann shot

5 mins

Payet gets down the left, completely bins Kimmich with a step over and wins a corner. That is then cleared but Pogba loses the ball and Germany keep possession for a bit until Emre Can mis-controls and gives it back to France.
France have started on the front foot - they're up for the game and are playing with a real intensity at the moment.

2 mins

Boateng has to deal with an early bit of pressure from Griezmann but manages to get the ball back to Neuer. The keeper controls on his chest and volleys away, Can attacks high up the pitch shortly afterwards. Not the cagey start I had anticipated!

KICK-OFF!

Here we go!

The anthems

Wow the Marseillaise is loud. And I'm just watching it on TV.

Will we get goals?

The BBC pundits say both teams are weak in defence which means we'll see goals! I reckon it'll actually mean we see none, as both sit back to protect said defences.

The Iceland clap

Uefa are coordinating an organised Iceland viking clap for the German and French fans. I don't get why they can't just let Iceland have it? It's their thing!
Why can't people enjoy things for what they are? It's like every advert now has a husky voiced person doing an acoustic version of a famous pop song from 70s. Make your own songs! Create things! Stop trying to make everything a business.

No Kante

It's a risky strategy of Didier Deschamps to leave N'Golo Kante on the bench. Blaise Matuidi has a bit of a tendency to wander forward, as does his midfield partner Paul Pogba. Germany will look to exploit this at any time they can by counter-attacking when one or both of these players abandons their defensive duties.

Thierry Henry on the November terror attacks

It's beyond that. It's about trying to bring back happiness in the country through the tournament, I don't want to go back through it.

Head to head

Germany have only conceded one goal in Euro 2016 so far and haven't been behind in any game. If France manage to grab a lead at some point, it will be a real test of Germany's attacking talents - can they score when chasing the game? Or are they just good at holding on and nicking a goal?
Gomez is a big loss tonight, but Hummels might be missed even more as France go all out attack.


The lads

Sami Khedira and Mats Hummels are watching the game from below pitch level.


The fans are filling up the stands





A Germany supporter enjoys the atmosphere prior to the UEFA EURO semi final match between Germany and France 
Credit: GETTY
Here they come, all in good spirits. It almost seems like some groups of fans don't need to be heavily policed.




A France supporter enjoys the atmosphere prior to the UEFA EURO semi final match between Germany and France
Credit: GETTY

Jogi Low's wandering hands

Euro 2016 cartoons: Joachim Low works in a boulangerie Play! 01:20
Here's one of the episodes from the series of Euro 2016 cartoons I've been doing this month, in which Jogi Low works in a bakery.

France team

France make changes too, with Moussa Sissoko in from the start tonight. It looks like Didier Deschamps has changed his formation from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1, with Griezmann playing behind Giroud.
France XI
Lloris, Sagna, Koscielny, Umtiti, Evra; Pogba, Matuidi; Sissoko, Griezmann, Payet; Giroud

Team news

Germany have been forced to make two changes - Hummels misses out with suspension and is replaced by Howedes, but the surprise is that Mario Gomez has been replaced by Emre Can.
Are Germany changing their shape for this one?
Germany XI
Neuer; Hector, Howedes, Boateng, Kimmich; Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Draxler, Can, Kroos; Muller

France tactics

I made this video on France's tactics before the tournament started, and as it turns out, a day before Lassana Diarra got injured. Luckily for everyone, it all still makes sense:
France: tactics, formations and strategies for Euro 2016 Play! 01:45


Home advantage

Well then, well then. Who is going to win tonight? I thought Germany would win the entire tournament before it kicked off but it was always going to be between them and France. Germany have the better team and probably the better players overall, but France have a few superstars and home advantage.
Jason Burt says France must defeat their own fears if they are to beat Germany tonight and he's not wrong. Germany are world champions and that should count for something too... but this one is tough to call.

Germany tactics

How will Germany line up tonight? It looks very much like Mario Gomez will miss the rest of the tournament with a hamstring injury, meaning Jogi Low needs to play his false nine system once more. "What's a false nine system?", I hear you say. Let me teach you the ways!
Germany: tactics, formations and strategies for Euro 2016 Play! 01:17


Hello!

Good evening everyone!
Welcome to our liveblog on tonight's massive Euro 2016 game. JJ Bull here to take you through The Action. - if you'd like to tell me about where you're watching it, or who you think will win and why, you can email me joseph.bull@telegraph.co.uk or tweet me @jj_bull.
Don't be shy now.

Preview

When is the match?
Thursday 7 July. It's the penultimate game of Euro 2016. So make sure that you enjoy it.




Germany
The Germans needed a shootout to see off Italy Credit: Getty
What time is kick-off?
8pm. So you'll be able to fit in that episode of The One Show, but best stick a VHS in to tape Celebrity MasterChef.
Which stadium is hosting the game?
The Stade de France will be the venue for either France's or Iceland's demise, before hosting the final itself on July 10.  Will either of these sides be back in Saint-Denis a week later?
Which TV channel can I watch it on?
ITV1 begin their live broadcast with build-up from 7:15pm.  Now we're at the sharp end of the tournament you can imagine all the pre-match frippery we'll be treated to by Mark Pougatch and the gang.
How did they get this far in Euro 2016?
After a slightly wobbly start to the tournament, France have been rock solid in the last couple of games, and showed England up (if losing to Iceland hadn't already shown them up somewhat) by thrashing Iceland 5-2. Germany required penalties to beat Italy in the quarter-final, but were exceptionally unlucky to have not finished the job in normal time.
Germany
  • beat Ukraine 2-0 (group stage)
  • drew with Poland 0-0 (group stage)
  • beat Northern Ireland 1-0 (group stage)
  • beat Slovakia 3-0 (round of 16)
  • beat Italy 1-1 (6-5 on penalties) (quarter-final)
France
  • beat Romania 2-1 (group stage)
  • beat Albania 2-0 (group stage)
  • drew with Switzerland 0-0 (group stage)
  • beat Republic of Ireland 2-1 (round of 16)
  • beat Iceland 5-2 (quarter-final)
France v Iceland: key match stats Play! 01:02
What are they saying?
Joachim Löw, Germany manager




Loew
Credit: Getty
We talked about a back three. It was really necessary to change the team a little bit for the Italy game.
Italy are a different side to Slovakia. They play with two central attackers and two wingers, who are playing high up the pitch. It's too dangerous to take them on in a four versus four.
They play from the wings into the middle, try to lay it off and then to run deep. It is easily predictable, but they are doing it well. Right after the Italy-Spain game, it was my first thought to play like this.
Didier Deschamps, France manager




Deschamps
Credit: Reuters
The Germany team have a good technical quality, right from the goalkeeper. In general, it is they who have possession of the ball.
"We must adapt. Not just to their strengths, but to what we are capable of doing.
Up to now, apart from Switzerland, we have played against opponents who were there to defend. The more we can force Germany to defend, the better.
What are the betting odds?
Germany to win: 2/1  France to win: 24/13 Draw (after 90 minutes): 39/19




Betting
France to win at 24/13 you say? TAP, TAP, POGBOOM! Credit: Getty
What's our prediction?
3-1 to Germany, after extra-time
  • Germany to take an early lead through a scrappy Thomas Muller goal
  • France throw the le kitchen sink at it but struggle to create chances
  • Payet comes up with the goods in the final minute to force extra-time
  • Schweinsteiger scores a speculative goal within seconds of the restart
  • France throw men forward, but another random German player seals the deal late on