2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Quarterfinals
Germany vs France
Olympic Stadium – Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Friday, June 26, 2015, 4:00 pm Eastern, TV: Fox
Spread: France + 1/2 (-119) / Germany +1/2 (+104)
Money Line: France +301 / Germany +102 / Draw +251
Odds to Advance: Germany -200 / France +170
Total: over 2 -134 / under 2 +119
All odds courtesy of 5Dimes Sportsbook
Although both Germany and France are in the top three in the FIFA rankings, they will meet in the Quarterfinals of the 2015 Women’s World Cup Friday in Montreal. The winner will face either the United State or China in the semifinals next week.
Both France and Germany went 10-0 in qualifying for the World Cup. In fact France outscored their opponents 54-3 in qualifying. Germany was placed in Group C as the top seed in the World Cup. The Germans crushed Ivory Coast 10-0 in their opening match of the World Cup, before settling for a 1-1 draw against Norway. Germany won the group with a 4-0 win over Thailand. In the Round of 16 Germany cruised to a 4-1 victory over Sweden Saturday in Ottawa.
France was placed in group F as the top seed. The French escaped with a tough 1-0 victory over England in the opening match, before being shocked 2-0 by Colombia in the second match. France lost against Colombia despite outshooting them 21-3. France rebounded to win the group with a 5-0 thrashing of Mexico in the last match of the group stage. In the round of 16, France beat South Korea 3-0 Sunday in Montreal.
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France and Germany were in the same group in the 2011 World Cup, with Germany winning 4-2 on home soil. That is the only competitive match they two sides have ever played but France did win a friendly last October 2-0 against Germany. Interestingly, the two countries also met in the quarterfinals of the Men’s World Cup last year in Brazil. Germany won that match 1-0 en route to winning the World Cup.
Germany is looking for their third World Cup title in the last four events. Longtime manager Silvia Neid will retire next season. Germany looks to atone for a shocking quarterfinal loss as the host nation in 2011 to eventual champion Japan. Germany will use a 4-2-3-1 attack formation.
Legendary German keeper and captain Nadine Angerer will retire after her club season this year. She has allowed only two goals in four games with two shutouts. Only a late goal conceded against Norway proved costly. Sweden scored when they were down 3-0 in the round of 16.
Anja Mittag and Celia Sasic each have five goals in the tournament for Germany. Midfielder Lena Goessling has added 3 assists for Germany. Dzsenifer Marozsan is only 23 but is already one of the best midfielders in the world. The defense is just as good as the offense if not better anchored by Annika Krahn.
France is managed by Phillippe Bergeroo. The French have never won the World Cup but advanced to the semifinals in 2011 before losing to the United States. France will use a 4-2-2-2 attack formation.
French keeper Sarah Bouhaddi gave up two goals against Colombia, both on turnovers but has not conceded another goal.
Forward Marie-Laure Delie has 61 goals for France, including two against South Korea in the round of 16. Veteran Gaetane Thiney and Eugenie Le Sommer are also dangerous scorers. Louisa Necib is one of the top playmakers in the world.
This should be a low scoring game with two of the best goal keepers in the world, despite the explosive offenses on both sides. France will not be intimidated by the Germans, but Germany just has slightly more talent. Germany is also motivated by their humiliating loss in 2011. I think Germany wins the match in either extra time or a shootout.
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