Germany beat France 2-1 to reach the EURO 2022 Final! Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations:

• Pushed to the brink, again! Germany were clearly the stronger team in the first half but a bolt out of the blue from Les Blues changed everything at half-time.
• France poured it on and it was really anyone’s game. Probably the strongest collection of talent and tactical proficiency we’ve seen in an opponent so far this tournament.
• But somehow, Germany find a way. These are the kinds of wins championships are made out of.
• Big credit to the German defense actions today. Almost every time France built up into a danger situation, bodies crowded around the ball. Attackers were getting back to help out. It was hard to find a way through.
• Something like nine out of ten for Germany in the Women’s EURO semi-finals? The Germans are also eight-out-eight in the Final and will be looking to keep that streak perfect.

Sunday, it’s a date at Wembley, Germany vs England, SEE YOU ALL THERE!!!

Check out Teddy’s post-game observations, too below:

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90+5’: Another French set piece bounces around dangerously in the box, but Germany just manage to clear! And now it’s the final whistle! Germany are through to Wembley!!!!!

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90+4’: A rash tackle from Oberdorf results in a yellow. France aren’t given advantage even though Clara Mateo was about to cross from the edge of the box. The header comes in and Germany breathe, just. Five minutes of added time almost up.

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90’: Oh, that was the chance to seal it! Svenja Huth wriggles out of trouble and finds Linda Dallmann practically unmarked near the penalty spot. Dallman fires, but it’s deflected behind for a wrongly-given goal kick.

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87’: Wendie Renard is so good. The towering defender is now a fixture in France’s front-lines and latching onto every lofted cross. She hasn’t hit paydirt yet, but Germany have yet to find a good answer to this — perhaps there isn’t one.

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85’: A precise cross from the far right sideline finds Clara Mateo in space inside the German box! France’s #10 hits it quickly, almost on the volley, and it’s a dangerous effort but fizzes wide.

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83’: Sara Doorsoun-Hajeh came on a few minutes ago on at center-back for Marina Hegering, who has been putting in tireless shifts. At one point today, Hegering was driving at the opposition box!

Germany with two substitutions remaining and ten minutes to see this out.

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79’: And France nearly answer straight away, again! Selma Bacha with a shot fired from distance that drew an audible gasp from the crowd.

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76’: AGAIN?!??!?! Alexandra Popp!!! Another header!!!

Sydney Lohmann pings a super ball out of midfield to create a dangerous chance down the right wing. The cross comes into the center to Jule Brand, whose shot is blocked and her follow-up is deflected back out to the wing. It’s Huth now on the right firing a cross to the center — I blinked, and Popp had scored.

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74’: Yellow card for Gwinn after the right-back is a little complacent in chasing a long switching pass to her flank. She was about to get beaten and drags the French player down, and is carded for her troubles.

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70’: Huth cuts out a French pass and Popp is tossed to the ground in midfield, leaving her with no support. Huth drives upfield alone, turns around to find help, and eventually the chance fizzles.

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67’: Nervy moments at the back. A horrendously short back pass leaves Frohms exposed, but Diani doesn’t find the central runner. A huge opportunity goes begging.

Now it’s time for substitutions in the German midfield: Linda Dallmann on for Lina Magull, and Sydney Lohmann for Sara Däbritz.

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63’: What a chance for France. They go with two up top and have the Germany defense all out of sorts. A powerful strike comes in and is blocked by the head of Hendrich. Then off the corner, it’s Wendie Renard rising at the back post — but Frohms gets down for a vital save!

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50’: Two good chances already for Svenja Huth down the left wing. Once, she firednarrowly wide and the second time overran the ball. Huth also tried to slip in Lina Magull in front of goal but the connection was narrowly missed. Germans still look on the front foot.

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Half-time thoughts and observations

• Germany have been the better side, so that last-minute equalizer was a real punch to the gut.
• Alexandra Popp had a great early chance with a stupendous free kick, and followed that up by scoring yet another goal.
• It’s 51-49% possession at the half, but definitely felt tilted towards the Germans, at least in terms of threatening possession. A lot of good winning the ball back.
• Svenja Huth is on the left wing today in Klara Bühl’s absence, and Jule Brand has come in on the right. Brand is popping up a lot in midfield as well as centrally — so it’s somewhat of a different look for the Germans in possession today.
• Just an amazing response and kick from France. What a shot, what a goal.

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45’: Oh, no. Germany concede for the first time after a cracking strike from outside the box from Kadidiatou Diani. Merle Frohms is there but the power of the shot is too much, and it bounces unluckily — off the post, onto Frohms, and into the back of the net. It’s game on now. And that’s the half.

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40’: TOR!!!!! Alexandra Popp is undeniable! That’s five for five as Germany’s striker strikes again, latching onto a cross with her left after some nice interplay on the right wing. Germany find the breakthrough again just before the half.

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Lineups are out!

Jule Brand replaces Klara Bühl in attack, while Alexandra Popp continues her starting run at striker and captains the side!

Otherwise, it’s the first-choice XI from throughout the tournament.

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It’s the EURO semi-finals. Only serious teams need apply.

Germany take on France in a classic European heavyweight tilt in any competition. A date with England awaits, after the Lionesses smashed Sweden 4-0 yesterday on the other half of the bracket (another 87’ for Bayern Munich’s Georgia Stanway).

There’s not much to separate these two teams; both have talent in spades and a record of closely-fought battles in recent encounters. Though Les Blues have apparently endured some locker room issues in recent times, they’re fighting for a spot in the Final now — one would think they’ve been able to put it behind them. For Germany, quarter-finals player of the match Klara Bühl, who started every game, is out for likely the tournament with COVID-19. Solutions will have to be found fast.

Neither team had it easy to get here. Germany just about withstood the Austrian attack to breathe again, while France required extra time to edge out the Netherlands. It’s anyone’s game. Strap in.

For the US folks, by the way, the semi-finals mark a welcome change to the broadcasting lineup — all games from here on out are available on the ESPN+ streaming service. If you haven’t been able to watch up til now, here’s your chance to join us just as the going gets good!

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Bavarian Football Works nominated for podcasting award — vote!

While we’re waiting — a reminder to throw a vote our way if you can! The Bavarian Podcast Works team does a fantastic, tireless job covering all the action in the Bayern world in audio format, and were nominated for ‘Best Club Podcast’ in the 2022 World Soccer Talk Awards. Everyone in the community has been truly amazing — and we really appreciate the support!

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Match Info

Location: Milton Keynes, England

Time: 3:00pm ET, 8:00pm local time

TV/streaming: USA — ESPN+ / TUDN USA, Canada — UEFA.tv; UK — BBC iPlayer, Find Your Country

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