Griezmann, who scored plenty of goals to help Atletico advance to the Champions League final, had started the tournament in sluggish fashion and some feared a gruelling season might have taken its toll.
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Germany continued to press in the second period but Griezmann prodded home with 18 minutes to play to secure the win for the host nation and set up a final against Portugal.
According to Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos, Germany’s display in their defeat against France was their best Euro performance.
“When you see the passion and the fervour in the stands around the ground…”
“But putting together a great team takes a lot of time”.
“We had to suffer but never gave up and that’s great for me”.
France has the upper hand where ever we see.
They have won three of their previous four (Euro 1984 and 2000, World Cup 1998), losing their most recent (World Cup 2006).
Asked about whether he meant to stay on after the 2018 World Cup in Russian Federation, he said: “I’m still disappointed so I don’t want to think about that tonight”.
“I always trusted my players”. “I’m proud to be part of this squad”. I can’t blame the team, we carved out good opportunities.
France coach Didier Deschamps is already thinking about how best to prepare for that encounter.
Griezmann wrapped up a memorable night for the tournament hosts when he steered the ball home after Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had flapped at a cross from Paul Pogba.
This is Antoine Griezmann’s moment. “He works very hard and, along with Olivier Giroud, from a defensive perspective he made sure we were a very compact unit”.
“He is a very talented, clinical player and that is important for the team”.
Antoine Griezmann (left) gestures after scoring one of his two goals in Thursday’s semi-final. We actually had more of the game and should have won…
Despite the first goal, Germany continued to have the best of possession but failed to sneak past the French defence.
“He has this speed and technical ability, he had a few chances”. We have stayed true to playing our style of football. Are they destined again to finish up as the almost men of European football at the Stade de France on Sunday?
“We had our chances, regretfully we didn’t score”. We gave a lot and had a body language of power.
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Lloris believes that display underlined their improving maturity and, while rejecting the notion his team are favourites against Portugal, reckons the future looks bright under coach Deschamps.
