When some call it the real final - the hosts France and the reigning world champions from Germany met last night at Marseille's "Stade Velodrome". Watching the clash was truly interesting, as the best attack of this championship fought against the best defense. Didier Deschamps' army scored 11 goals in five matches, while the Germans managed to concede only one penalty kick. The winners of the duel advanced to the final, where they were awaited by the Portuguese footballers who surprised everyone. Here are the starting lineups of the teams: Team lineups: Germany: M. Neuer; J. Hector, J. Boateng (61' S. Mustafi), B. Howedes, J. Kimmich; E. Can (67' M. Gotze), T. Kroos, B. Schweinsteiger (79' L. Sane), M. Ozil, J. Draxler; T. Muller. France: H. Lloris; P. Evra, L. Koscielny, S. Umtiti, B. Sagna; B. Matuidi, P. Pogba, M. Sissoko, D. Payet (71' N. Kante), A. Griezmann (90' Y. Cabaye); O. Giroud (78' A. Gignac). The match started intensely from the first minutes, with both teams not waiting to launch attacks. The opponent's goalkeeper was seriously tested for the first time in the seventh minute by Antoine Griezmann, and shortly after Emre Can dangerously shot. There were several decent attacks during the first half, but the most memorable moment was when Olivier Giroud escaped from Jerome Boateng but couldn't get past Benedikt Howedes. It seemed like the players were heading towards the dressing room with zeros on the scoreboard, but at the end of the first half, the German team was struck by a sense of déjà vu - after Bastian Schweinsteiger's handball, a penalty kick was awarded. It was successfully converted by Griezmann, who scored his fifth goal in these championships. After the break, the French stepped onto the field with even more determination, and in the 47th minute, Giroud had a chance to score, hitting Boateng. However, the game quickly balanced out. The decisive moment of the match came in the middle of the second half when Paul Pogba took the ball from Joshua Kimmich in the German penalty area. He then passed it to the goalkeeper, and after Neuer's save, Griezmann rushed in to score his second goal. The Germans then tried to respond and indeed created several dangerous attacks, but the excellent performance by Hugo Lloris allowed the hosts to preserve their lead. France has a great chance to continue the tradition and triumph again in the home championships. Result: Germany 0 - 2 France [0-1] 45' Antoine Griezmann (from a penalty kick) [0-2] 72' Antoine Griezmann The best player of the match - the double scorer Griezmann:
#FRA match-winner @AntoGriezmann is your @carlsberg Man of the Match #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/nw62yr2hk1
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) July 7, 2016
