Germany don´t fear Giroud – Neuer

We know the opposition, they are still the best side in the world but we are going to go out with everything.

“We’ll need them because there will be some tough times. Thursday, on paper, is the biggest game of the tournament”.

He was jeered off the pitch by France fans in a 3-2 win in Cameroon in a pre-tournament friendly before silencing critics with two goals in a 3-0 win over Scotland in Les Bleus’ final warm-up for the Euros.

The hosts are buoyed by a 5-2 quarter-final thumping of plucky minnows Iceland when Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet all netted at the Stade de France.

Germany themselves have not had an easy run to the final, battling past Italy by the finest of margins in a quarter-final penalty shootout.

Germany are without injured duo Mario Gomez (hamstring) and Sami Khedira (groin), while Bastian Schweinsteiger is battling to overcome a knee problem.

For France, defender Adil Rami and midfielder N’Golo Kante are back in contention after missing the win over Iceland through suspension.

The current players will edge a significant step closer to adding their names to the record books if they can beat the world champions in Marseille and Deschamps is aware of the prize on offer.

One goal ahead of his competitors heading into the semi-final clash against Germany, the Atletico Madrid man is Betway’s clear 8/11 (1.73) favourite to clinch the Golden Boot on home turf.

They fell behind after only 12 minutes through a goal from France striker Olivier Giroud.

The two sides, co-favorites on the odds to win Euro 2016, underwhelmed in group play but still managed to finish first with seven points apiece.

Therefore, the only realistic candidates outside of the French squad are to be found in the other semi-final in Lyon, where Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal take on Gareth Bale’s Wales.

However, they last won the European Championships 20 years ago, in 1996, their longest ever drought in the history of the competition. Indeed, France hasn’t beaten the Germans at a major tournament since 1958.

After a scoreless draw with Switzerland, two Griezmann goals in three second-half minutes conquered a Republic of Ireland team given hope by Robbie Brady’s second-minute penalty.

What’s next: The victor will face Portugal or Wales in the Euro 2016 final July 10. To be honest I’m not thinking about that, I’m totally focused on the team’s objectives. “I do my best to do it”, Giroud said, as quoted by the Mirror. When they were there, I didn’t do anything extraordinary to get a goal, but it doesn’t bother me. Who would have called that?

Germany is bidding to emulate France and Spain in following a World Cup win with the European title.