Euro 2016: The Final

Verney and Beezley were set to return to look back at the semi-finals and to preview the final of Euro 2016, but there has been a late change to the line-up.

Beezley is unavailable this week, so up steps fellow Arsenal fan Russ Morgan in his place, as the new duo try and decide who will come out on top between France and Portugal at Stade de France.

But before we do that, let's looks back at the semi-finals and see what Verney and Morgan think of the latest Euro 2016 action.

SEMI FINALS
Second-half goals from former Manchester United duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani saw Portugal progress to their second ever European Championships final with a 2-0 victory over Wales. France will be their opponents after an Antoine Griezmann double secured the hosts a 2-0 victory over world champions Germany. But what do Verney and Morgan think of the recent action?

JV: Like many of the neutrals I would have loved to have seen Wales beat Portugal, but it just wasn't to be on the night. After such a valiant performance by the Welsh in the quarter-final victory over Belgium, I genuinely thought they had a chance of causing an upset, and with the scores goalless at half-time Chris Coleman's men were still in with a shout. For all his critics, and as much as some fans find Ronaldo frustrating, he took his headed goal very well to give Portugal the lead early in the second half. Nani diverted in Ronaldo's shot to double Portugal's advantage soon after to leave Wales with an uphill struggle. Gareth Bale did force a decent save out of Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio, but Wales didn't really create enough chances on the night. Wales can hold their heads up high though as they weren't expected to get as far as they did, so fair play to them!

In the other semi-final, Germany had more of the possession but just couldn't make their chances count. Emre Can forced a good save out of Hugo Lloris and the world champions looked like the better side. But it was France who broke the deadlock through a Griezmann penalty in first-half stoppage time after Bastian Schweinsteiger was penalised for handball. Whilst the Germans may have felt hard done by for the penalty, they only had themselves to blame for France's second 18 minutes from time. Some kamikaze defending by Germany gifted France possession and, after the usually-reliable Manuel Neuer could only punch Paul Pogba's cross clear, Griezmann turned in the loose ball from close range. Joshua Kimmich twice came close to getting Germany back in it, but one effort hit the woodwork before his header was superbly kept out by Lloris. France progressed and are more than worthy of their place in the final!

RM: Portugal’s class finally shone through with a 2-0 win over Wales. The Dragon’s looked more komodo than fire-breathers. It was truly evident that without linchpin Aaron Ramsey providing the ammo through the midfield, that Bale and co reverted to a more cautious approach. Ronaldo, who by his ‘high’ standards has had a pretty mediocre tournament, more for the failings of his team-mates I might add, finally showed his quality by leaping like a salmon to convert a magnificent header just after half-time. Nani made sure there was no way back after converting a Ronaldo shot three minutes later. Wales journey is over, but will live long in the memory. Take note England!

The German tank was halted by stubborn French resistance and not for the first time. France’s cautious approach looked to have been a bad idea as Germany completely dominated for large parts, but a penalty given away by Bastian Schweinsteiger allowed the tournament’s top scorer Antoine Griezmann to make it 1-0. Griezmann followed it up 18 mins from time, taking the hosts to yet another final.


ROUTE TO THE FINAL
So with France and Portugal booking their places in the final, Verney and Morgan have taken a team each and look back at their tournament so far.

FRANCE - JV:
France deserve their place in the final but they have also made it hard for themselves at times. It took a dramatic late goal from Dimitri Payet to secure Les Bleus' 2-1 victory in their opening group game against Romania in what on paper looked like it should've been a far easier game. Didier Deschamps' men left it incredibly late once again as stoppage time goals from Griezmann and Payet got them out of jail in a 2-0 win over a plucky Albania side. A goalless draw with Switzerland saw France progress as Group A winners. In parts they had looked excellent but they also didn't look unstoppable either. It could've been a whole different story for France had a Griezmann double and a Shane Duffy red card not turned their round of 16 tie against Republic of Ireland on its head. Ireland had taken the lead through an early Robbie Brady penalty and France were 1-0 down at the break. Griezmann struck twice in four minutes to break Irish hearts before France's task was made easier by the dismissal of Duffy, from which Ireland never truly recovered. It was at this point I was starting to think, if England can beat Iceland we might actually have a chance of beating France, but we didn't even get that far. An excellent first-half performance saw France race into a 4-0 lead against Iceland and, despite a spirited fightback from their opponents, the hosts came out 5-2 winners to win their quarter final. As already mentioned France knocked out Germany in the semis and they are now just 90 minutes away from another major international honour.

PORTUGAL - RM:
Portugal seem to have sleepwalked their way to the EURO 2016 final. Actually I think I am being a tad harsh. Yes they drew four of the six matches they played and only managed to beat a superior Croatia in the dying minutes, but a good performance against Wales sees them arrive at the final in good form and high spirits. Coupled with Ronaldo finally ‘arriving’ at the tournament Portugal, although underdogs, certainly have what it takes to give France a game.

EURO 2016 FINAL
In some ways France Vs Portugal has the potential to be a great final and there could be plenty of goals, but it isn't exactly the final many wanted either. So what are Verney and Morgan's prediction for the final?

JV: Before the tournament started, France were my prediction to win it so I'm going to stick with my guns and say a Les Bleus win. I think Portugal have at least one goal in them, so I'm going to go with a 3-2 victory for France after extra time. Having home advantage will be massive for France and with the tournament's leading scorer Griezmann in form it seems a sensible choice for me to back the hosts. But Portugal certainly can't be written off even if I do find the fact they reached the final frustrating. Winning no group games and not winning a single game in normal time until their semi-final victory over Wales yet they are in the final. It just doesn't seem right and it makes the new third-place ruling rather frustrating. On the other end, Portugal haven't actually done anything wrong and are in the final on merit and it will just come down to who wants it more and plays better on the day.

RM: The final is here and to be fair I expected the hosts to be there or thereabouts. Portugal on the other hand, due to severe limitations in their squad, I didn’t seem them going past the second round. There is much to be said that having a truly world class player can rub off on team-mates, you saw that with Wales. Griezmann has been the player of the tournament, I fully expect him to have an impact in the final. Olivier Giroud, who has been slated recently not just by his own club fans, but by his nation has really looked comfortable in a front two, although he has fluffed his lines on occasion, he is the reason Griezmann has produced. Portugal on the other hand have Cristiano Ronaldo a player who can win a game on his own. Frustration along with overburden have hindered his performances, but he needs to play his natural level and not get bogged down for Portugal to have a chance. France 2-0, Giroud to get the winner

When the blog returns we will know which of France and Portugal are the new European champions. Will home advantage prove key for France or can Portugal win their first ever major international tournament? It is a hard one to call but it should be a great final. Beezley will be back in time for the next blog to look back at the final with Verney and to dish out the Euro 2016 awards the duo have chosen.

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