The French football team (Les Bleues) having progressed to the quarter final of the World Cup will renew hostilities with "Der Mannschaft" as the French press likes to call the German team. At least this result avoided a potentially controversial clash with Algeria, who were knocked out by Germany last night.
But French fans with long memories will recall the 1982 semi-final against Germany, which was marred by an horrendous, though unpunished block by the German goalkeeper, Schumacher, on French forward Battiston. Leading 3-1 in extra time the men of Platini saw the Germans equalise and then the foul Schumacher save two penalties in the shoot-out to give Germany victory. Four years later the same outcome as Germany won 2-0.
So on Friday evening World Cup III kicks off at 6pm French time. All dual nationality put aside as we are all French now.
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Aside: This week's Private Eye shows a jubilant Angela Merkel singing "there's only one Jean-Claude Juncker!"
