Already at 22:00 in the European Championship, the second semi-final match will begin, in which the national teams of Germany and France will face each other. Before the match, the most visited football news portal of the country - "Eurofootball.com" interviewed a former footballer, now Viasat Sport Baltic commentator Nerijus Vasiliauskas, who agreed to share his thoughts on the upcoming confrontation.
- What kind of match do you expect in today's match between Germany and France?
- I hope one of the most interesting matches in the championship. These matches should highlight the qualities, as the outcome of these matches, like all others, is unpredictable. Both rivals are worth each other and there will be a huge intrigue. In fact, I don't think that both teams will open up and play attacking football from the start of the match. Anything can happen in these matches.
Of course, playing at home, the French will focus mostly on winning in regular time. No one wants to play extra time, let alone a penalty shootout.
- France is the most scoring team in the competition, while the Germans demonstrate the best defense. Is it realistic to expect many goals in this match or do you think that defense will dominate in this duel?
- That's a good question to which I would never know the exact answer. Goals depend on the scenario of the match and how the teams capitalize on the mistakes of their opponents. The French are the most scoring team in the championship because they climbed to the top due to one match with Iceland, scoring five goals against them.
The Germans are always stable and their German discipline does not allow me to believe that they could concede at least three goals. In my opinion, Germany is balanced in defense, midfield, and attack. I would even say that the German defense is stronger than the French.
- Many call this match the true final of the championship. Do you agree with the opinion that the winning team in this match will also become the European champion?
- As this championship has shown - it is never impossible to predict how everything will turn out. Especially in matches where they will face opponents of a similar level. It can be called a small final, but the Portuguese team is definitely not weaker and everything will have to be proven on the field. The winner will not be determined by statistical indicators, or any other calculations, but by the demonstrated game, goals, and the final result.
- The Germans already played against the hosts of the championship in the previous World Cup, where they crushed the Brazilians by 7-1. Is it an advantage for the French that they are the hosts of these championships or will it just complicate their game due to the additional pressure and tension?
- I think both factors will be visible. First of all, we will have to see how many French fans will be in the stadium - I think there will be quite a few Germans there as well. Home walls will undoubtedly help, but at the same time, they also impose obligations - a unique excitement arises, and this is a semifinal where the stakes are high, so I do not think they will gain much benefit from their home field. In my opinion, they will gain positive things from it, but it will also bring some disadvantages.
Tautvydas Sakalauskas
