Niki: It's coming home. It's coming home. It's coming football. It's coming home. It's coming home. It's coming home. It's coming football. It's coming home. Henri Griesel: And after all, you're my wonderwall. Niki: Yeah, what? Yeah, the Wonderwall Englander is in the World semi-finals and is still the World Cup. And you are in in a new episode of Hanging Top, episode number 7. And on the other side, my dear partner, friend, co-host Henry Griese. Henri Griesel: 7 stands for lifestyle and you, our listeners, our community, also stands for lifestyle and we are to a new episode. Nikki, we a few days, got little creative, turned and... ...exactly, a break from as they the German folk-word, and brought some new content. I'm forward to the episode, I'm really, really excited, I to say. Niki: a little creative break. Yeah. Yeah, me These mass games but selected games. Mostly day one, so you could really follow It was fun, great games. Great things we can You new stuff. What did you bring? I'm a little scared, but... Yeah. Henri Griesel: Yeah. You're curious, right? You're curious again. Yeah, I brought A little mini-game, they say. I don't know, you know it, the teacher comes into the classroom. Who is that? Who is that? And then he hey, guys, girls, we're gonna a little game to warm up, we can all get warm together. We're too. We had a few days off, haven't each while. That's we're gonna... Niki: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Is there bet? Henri Griesel: No, it's not about money, because otherwise we can't show it Niki: Then we straight into the game analysis. France against Morocco. Henry? Yeah, didn't well. the tip game later. Difficult times, but yeah, explain Be the teacher Henri Griesel: The greed. The greed. Do you to something in or what? Let's get started. I am the Mr. Grisel, my name. I the representative for Mrs. Müller We're a little game today. It goes like this. We say a word a WM context And we that every three seconds at and try to the same term. So you say a word, I say a word and then the next round we try to find the same term, I it's that hard, right? Niki: Hmm. Mm. Yeah. Okay, then let's start. 3, 2, 1, Infantino. Henri Griesel: Ball. Niki: Okay. 3, 2, 1, POKAL! Henri Griesel: private jet. Niki: 3, 2, 1, David Beckham. Henri Griesel: messy Niki: Hmm, okay. Yeah, yeah, schwierig. drei, zwei, eins, Freistuss. Hat der Beck im Ballon d'Or gewonnen? Henri Griesel: Ballon d'or. Free kick was good, dude. I don't know. I'll about Niki: But free kick has definitely shot, a really good one. What do now? We free kick and Ballon d'Or. 3, 2, 1, Cristiano Ronaldo. Why Manuel Neuer free kick? Henri Griesel: He shot that's true. He couldn't more. Manuel Neuer. Okay. Huh? I don't But let's continue. Niki: Christiano Ronaldo and Manuel Neuer. Henri Griesel: okay. 2, 1, Philip Lahm. Nooo- Niki: 1. Champions League No, they are so often Champions League Real Madrid against Bayern How did they to Philipp Lahm? Henri Griesel: Yeah, because Ronaldo shot the one man wall with Philipp Lahm. Niki: Ah, well, I don't to think that. Philipp Lahm and Champions League. 3, 2, 1, FC Bayern. Henri Griesel: Yeah, okay. Niki: You think behind too many corners. FC Bayern Wembley. 3, 2, 1, 2013. Well, anyway, Dortmund played the Champions League final to the game to an How do we get away now? Henri Griesel: That's genius! Okay. Okay. Dortmund. How do we out here? Niki: England played and England is one of four teams that are the World Great hope that they home I don't know, we have four favorites in last games. Do you a team that you support Who are you Henri Griesel: Who am I I think I am for the Spaniards because I called in the podcast. would my authority and integrity if they don't become it. But... I have authority. Niki: Hmm. At least your integrity. I'm Henri Griesel: But briefly, because you're about the top four teams, I think it's crazy. I've much thought to but this FIFA world-class list that's every year, the four that are in the semi-finals are actually the first four in this world-class list. I think that's pretty crazy. I wouldn't have that it would reflect in of performance in the tournament. It's pretty crazy. Niki: Mm. Mm. Yeah, I'm what you feel dr. Berger. They that's gracer's turn here for Wesson a bit in the quality of our fear then halt auch eben dazu das favoriten Früher ausscheiden beziehungsweise halt mehr spieler und dann in früheren runden überraschung passieren aber jetzt haben wir trotzdem trotz der höheren teilnehmerzahl am ende zwei halbfinale aus den besten vier der viel verfeld rangliste ich habe jetzt auch nicht so richtig favoriten ich habe mit Norway really with fever but also unhappy now yes yes Henri Griesel: Yeah, was very unhappy. Where did you the game? Niki: Norway started quite late, think it at 23 o'clock. I at the couch here. I know, 10-15 minutes. I woke up and looked, but not so much happened the first minutes. Henri Griesel: Yeah, yeah, exactly. I watched her at home, I her on the couch. France and Morocco. I expected more goals, I thought it more eye-catching. I have say, I Morocco very much personally in the tournament so thought they played well and Niki: Mm. But they by France and that shocked Morocco has in 34 games. They are not as deep as Paraguay against France. But I have the feeling that the French liked They got the game well and dominated the game from and the Moroccans any chance Henri Griesel: Yeah. Nip. I would have thought it would a bit like Brazil in Morocco, where Morocco has the ball and can much more But I they didn't into a powerplay situation they much. This really ticky-tacky thing they against Brazil in the first round, unfortunately, didn't on the pitch at And you have say, showdown against France. We really well and and of small situations. Niki: In the first half it's about the French an F-Meter. The referee immediately out to point. But advance, ball is checked by Douet against Hakimi. And the referee takes his time. The MAP is already on point and he feels like there one and half minutes while he checks And that was a bit a strange situation because the MAP then also... and that you to letting the shooter stand on the point for without the ball away. Henri Griesel: It was a very strange situation. The referee prepared everything for the penalty. He the goalkeeper to line, the MVP already the ball down. But then the check-in He had to wait, although he had everyone down. A very strange situation and I understand that. Niki: Yeah. Yeah, that's kinda Henri Griesel: that an Mbappé is getting about that France is getting excited it. Now everything well, but that must not happen. Although have say that the VA has made very quick and good decisions at least very quickly, that it so long and they are ready, not fair to the defender. Rather pro Morocco in any case. Niki: Bye! But Mbappé comes back to the train later, hits almost out of position, Up right, so crazy this guy. Henri Griesel: He's so good. It's a one man show that everyone puts And though you a Dembele-Olysee all you, the Cristian can still be more decisive the It's incredible that he's working so hard at the World Cup. Niki: Mm-hmm. 20 WM goals in the 20th WM game. Unbelievable. The first player to at two World Championships. Henri Griesel: You can't tell about The last World final against Argentina, where he three goals in the final, but still didn't win which never happened that you think he can improve and now continues to the That guy is beyond all that exists. That's really crazy. Niki: He also the 2-0 He on Dembélé, who is not attacked who score And then from 17 or 18 meters away, Bono looks bad. At least not really good. But I him for the whole tournament. He that game great and throughout the tournament. Henri Griesel: Second score, that's really... Niki: In this situation it bad. But that would probably not anything in the game. The Moroccans shoot in the 83th minute, the first time on goal. The French goalkeeper has to for first time. happens anymore. France wins with 2-0, well deserved. Henri Griesel: Yes, the game went in one direction. France also They all the time that they wouldn't be dangerous And some point we score And didn't matter whether the shot at. With this confidence and the way they played, I said, despite my Spanish advice, I think they will. So that was a very mature performance. Niki: you Yes, would be a big surprise if they didn't make The French are now third in a WMH semi-final. It's just a superpower. It's a superpower. It will probably be the third final in a row. An incredible team. What they on the pitch, the individual level, and what they in the team, in collective. really impressive. Henri Griesel: We always lot about the offensive, but have to that this defense with Upa Mekano, a Bayern defender, Saliba, a of Arsenal, who also Champions League final this season, what kind of have. Everything works at moment. Niki: Mm. Henri Griesel: And yes, in contrast to Germany, you have Rabiot, who Pavlovich a very inconspicuous player. We had the topic, but the guy, I didn't a minute and just he's one of the favorite players of the Deschamps. Niki: now. Didier Deschamps. the world class name, but he does a really good job. Not referring to his name, but not the name you world class. Henri Griesel: Yeah. a little discriminating. Niki: The French's for the semi-final is Spain, win against Belgium. Belgium is a bit plagued by injury. The UNANAS crossband striker in the lead, captain Tillmans, gets while warming up. Gebräune rotates in it, who 90 minutes Henri Griesel: I'll the counter in No, no, really short. I mean, they'll the 30th minute, Niki: to. Henri Griesel: But it was a game on eye level and it was surprising that Belgium could putting in a of They defended it a in the but they actually defended well. They still the 0-1. Niki: Yeah. Mm. Yeah. You said they defended well. 0-1 was the first really good move from the Spaniards. But it also great play. Lamin took the line down A back-up on Olmo, who scored the Well shot, goalkeeper had to let it Fabian Ruiz pushed him into the goal. Henri Griesel: The commentator I watched said that it goalkeeper's I thought it was unfortunate, but it was absolutely not mistake. Of course, the aim directly front the is unhappy. And a Cote d'Or may have the expectation that he it better, but you can't any great accusations. Niki: We saw another goalkeeper error but at the time, first of the Belgians the out of nowhere. 1-1 after a half-field flank on the first post and in the thing. Henri Griesel: Charles de Catelare makes the stand according to the proposal of Castagne, the right-back of Belgium. Niki: And that's Spain's first counter-attack in the tournament. Henri Griesel: Right, right. I don't the minutes anymore, think it was 500 and a squished minutes. I think that's also a record. Niki: It's a World Cup record. I don't even know when they got last goal. Henri Griesel: Probably at the last WM hall. Niki: Yeah, exactly. In Qatar, they the last goal from a certain Tanaka in a group match against the Japanese. Tanaka! Henri Griesel: Tanaka! Tanaka! Ex-Fortuna player, shoutout to him at this point. The Fortuna! Niki: Yeah. Merino and he no longer the big task and ends up a 2 to 1. Henri Griesel: Yeah. a goalkeeper who decides this game. Of Cote d'Or is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. that you a performance drop, but the poor guy, I mean, he comes in there, snubs the first few minutes and then something that I hadn't on the screen before, but at Manchester United they played a very, very good season, really, really well. Niki: you Henri Griesel: Cote war also said in interview afterwards that actually a huge fan of him and he wants that he doesn't any accusations and recovers quickly from But you have say that the game and extremely bitter for the Belgians, who think would have gotten their chances in again, that they could pull So it was already ... yes. Niki: Yeah. They it really well. It extended and then 88th minute, the shot was from 30 meters, 25 meters, don't know, a very simple ball from nowhere and the joker, the merino, the Spanish Undav. Henri Griesel: Yeah, the Spanish Undef. Niki: The Spanish Undef. The question whether the coach him in the starting eleven as Henri Griesel: Yeah, this was the Mirino Khan had me also later shown by the EM to spurn the cricket. That was also the colleague there. There was a EM rausgeköpft hat for the does Garnich it's so often Schirmhahn, that's why Niki: Hmm. Did he run around the corner back Henri Griesel: I think he always Do know why he does that? Niki: Yes, because of his father. Henri Griesel: Yeah, his father scored the same goal. But I don't dude. I on my kicker, I have to say. Niki: Mm. Yeah, uhm... Absolutely. But with that, Spain, the second time ever in a World semi-final. Nice crazy... yeah, crazy statistics. Yeah. So... Big, big thing. Henri Griesel: Really? No, I wouldn't thought that. I wouldn't have thought And why are they in the semi-finals I say it they any Madrid players with No Real Madrid And it seems to the recipe for Maybe the statement is a bit obvious, of that I'm not a big Real Madrid fan. But you have to say... Niki: It's not the only one, Henri Griesel: You one of the best teams in Europe, you any of them with and now the boys are in the semi-finals. And I think that's pretty Niki: where no one was on the field was in the game England against Norway. Henri Griesel: No, stop it! That's... Oh, I That's just a surprise. That's good. Yeah, 1 to 2. 1 to 2 for England. Niki: I don't know. That's I said. Yeah. Henri Griesel: The final score is Harry Edward Kane and Co. They to the next round. Your singing skills have already made believe that they made The Wonderwall holds up, at least one goal. But they back to the 36th minute. Please more, Nicky. Niki: It's coming, football's coming. And with what goal? Cel Drip. Who for Nusa to the starting eleven. And... I think nobody really noticed that the ball really I have say, the game started at eleven. I opened my eyes and followed the game. But then the ball suddenly in and nobody really cheered. Henri Griesel: BAM BAM USA. Niki: I was asked if it was because of foul at Cane that everyone didn't know if it to checked or if the Norwegian just nonchalantly celebrate their goals. Henri Griesel: It was bit confusing, but I have say I thought it was so awesome. It game well, I thought so too. It game well that the Norwegians are leading. I mean, that's how the remaining minutes of halftime. It was really awesome and I wouldn't have guessed that. I 1-0 England. I thought it would be a low scoring game. Niki: Yeah. Hmm. Yeah, full. Yeah. Henri Griesel: But yeah, for the game. Niki: He opens the shell, drips the Pandora's I have say, I for the Norwegians. After Germany left, my team had a great story with the fans and the Viking cheer. Absolutely cool. Haaland, show and the whole team. Just very sympathetic. And shortly before the break... the Serlott is running inside counter and if they that 2-0, they have the game. But it's so bad, they run 2 against 1, Haaland on the left side. mean, the Stones defend that brilliantly, but they take the tempo out the Serlott, as I've never seen before. So really, really bad. Henri Griesel: Yeah, that's I thought. Niki: takes out the speed completely, whole back of from the English can push the angle is getting sharper, pass no longer possible and a chance. Henri Griesel: And it should come differently. was Jude Bellingham who the second half of the first half. Is it not like that? I think so. The Beatles. 1982. No, that's much older. Whatever, we'll to out hits. Niki: Mm. Hey Jude. Yeah. As always. Definitely older than Jude Bellingham, who on the same Henri Griesel: No. Niki: He shoots it 1-1 before the break and that hurts. You saw that Norwegian coach's who his bottle towards the coach's Because if you the 1-0 in the half, the Norwegians defended it so sovereignly. And then a very strange action. The has a ball, hits the ball long. I don't you didn't really notice but in retrospect ... Henri Griesel: Bellygore! Niki: you can on the pictures that the ball changes the flight line because it apparently hit the Spidercam or a cable of the Spidercam and therefore faster than planned and into the arms or feet and from that the attack to 2-1 arises, to 1-1. Henri Griesel: I don't think the referee noticed in the game. think he But in goal shouldn't have been That's what the referee expert, Idrich, on TV. If objects... and they have influence on the game or especially then it to be whistled and it shouldn't have counted. Nevertheless, FIFA has itself here. Niki: Yes, that's the biggest scandal. They publish this sensor in the which proves support the referee's or the non-VAI intervention and show that there no touch on the ball, that the sensor did knock Now in retrospect, it relatively clear that there this touch and that leaves some things to be Because ... Henri Griesel: Of course we them even because other things happened in the tournament, that we already talked that the whole integrity of game is being questioned. And that will happen, how FIFA is sitting on the longer lever and it seems like they it completely. Niki: Yeah, absolutely. Also what came out now with the Belegoon, with the of the lock, that it was only by one person, what some Saudi, Saudi oil shite, whatever is. It's absolutely scandalous how authoritarian it is, which legal means are used. It's absolutely crazy to say that Infantino is increasing of to 64 teams. What do you about Henri Griesel: Before people start he hasn't said that it will happen He just said that it's realistic idea. And that's really worrying. On the one hand, have so many more teams than last time. That's nice because there many small nations. Niki: Mm. Henri Griesel: But are still a of games and money making. There's no other reason why he does than because it's about money and he wants more teams and games. Niki: No. Yes, more teams. Infantino again. That also that he is more satisfied and is by the world associations to the president. I think that's also a small thought from him. Now you have say, we have this influx of 48 teams, which will never be taken We won't get to 32 teams. And then it's... I'm even if it's the better choice to to 64 teams so that you this stupid rule with the best groups getting because I didn't like in this World With 64 teams you would have the scenario that only the two best to I like but overall I don't either. The quality is getting better. Of course it's cool to stories like Cap Verde. If you 64 teams at a World Cup, you every third country part of the world. And... Yeah, Even they do it Even they do it again. But it's also somehow... Henri Griesel: Do who will like it? The Italians will like it. The chance They again. Niki: It's a special thing to part in a World Cup. That would destroy I don't like as you say. Of the commercial idea is always in background. We don't much influence. We have to it us and see what happens. Henri Griesel: Do you it will happen that... so a satiety feeling with fans and fan groups nations that it will come up that some point people say the point is now achieved because you have say, now this WM it is really the maximum financially out of it, much more does not no matter if it is a fucking train ticket train ticket from New York to New Jersey is whether it is a fucking long drink is in Seattle Niki: Hmm. Henri Griesel: Or if the tickets are not covered anymore, do you think this satiety feeling will at point and the fans will that now is the and the nation is boycott something similar? Niki: I think you just to at the numbers. That will be the most World of all time, with the most viewers, with the highest income and so on. And I don't that's the goal of us as... yes, those who football and who the commercial behind it a bit. That we're not the target group of Infantino and the FIFA plans, but rather the general public. and I don't think that it come to this feeling Quite the opposite, brand new fans and target groups be closed. You can look at Canada, USA, even those to football, even if I that funny, because you just them in USA. They don't anything at the fans there. So I saw that with the one USA game, the... the referee shows up after a goal the offside and they celebrate another three quarters of because they check that there a rule like the offside. And that says a lot, but even that you slowly into this sport. Of course, certain fans are excluded stadiums with high ticket prices and so on, but you get these tickets just for these special events sold. And I don't think that's satiety. The viewers will always there. Henri Griesel: Now we little bit We still to the English game. It's going into the extension with the 1-1. You have say that not so much happened. It's the 93th minute. Niki: you Henri Griesel: where Jude Bellingham is new coach and can make it into the top 5 of the goalkeepers in this World Cup. it's crazy that as a midfielder I wouldn't him as extremely goal-dangerous in England. Niki: He played at Real Madrid's Hengene Spitze. He bit behind, but then he didn't. I wouldn't have he'd that much, but he a great tournament. Henri Griesel: hängende Spitze. Definitely. He played a bit as a wrong 9 in That the transition phase where the MAP should but then it didn't come and half a year later he there. But then he really had, I think he had 15 boons or something this season. Not without it. Niki: you where you have to the goal after the goalkeeper error. The Norwegian keeper who the whole tournament and this game super. But similar to the Belgian keeper, he the ball centrally and Bellingham reacts as the fastest. And pushes in. 2 to 1. What I remarkable is that Haaland is replaced in the extension. I never thought but there were difficult conditions. It in retrospect that the humidity is extremely high. Tuchel criticizes the game of his team in He that it wasn't really good. Bellingham then countered in an interview and said... He under these conditions. Did you notice that? Henri Griesel: I only the voices, I the interview myself. But it's always a big topic when players and coaches argue. I don't I a big deal of it. The coach can hardly understand and feel how it on the pitch. But think Norway would have They didn't have different conditions. So you shouldn't complain. Niki: I mean, it's also at Haarland, that he's Unbelievable. Henri Griesel: Yeah, I think that Haaland was flat. He to lot of defensive work, more than he actually does. Otherwise you him out, even if it's to 11-man shot, he's your best shooter. Niki: Mm. But is it really that Thomas Tuchel, a German coach, the English to the World title, the long-awaited World Cup title? 1966, the last time. Henri Griesel: And when it comes to that... It's crazy, The English at World are really not the yellow of the egg. And it never happened before... Well, if it does, it never happened before that a coach who is this nation wins with another national team. So a foreign coach has never won a World Cup. That would sick. Niki: Hmm. That would be really sick. Henri Griesel: But I think it's cool, I think it's cool, I a voice by Christoph Kramer that... Niki: I Henri Griesel: so Niki: Hmm. Henri Griesel: I extremely happy with him and his performance. Niki: Yes, and that's also curious. mean, 30 years ago the English fans wouldn't into stadium, he a German coach and had the English national team. And now they're standing behind him Scorch. Yes, English now meet in Argentina, which they then played It starts o'clock, almost right after that, because the game is going on quite a long I didn't it anymore. Henri Griesel: Yeah, 100 % 100 % Yeah. Niki: But I heard from some crazy people who the game. Henri Griesel: There should have some crazy people who stayed until 3am. One of them was me. I managed to to 21min and 13sec and then my eyes closed. I couldn't anymore. the first goal. Niki: Ah, just for moment. Then you saw the first goal, right? Henri Griesel: I half asleep, oh Messi, great! I can it a corner from Messi on the first short post on the skull of McAllister, who is that big, but still him under the And that's how they one-on-one in and that this corner tactic pays off with this little McAllister. It unusual. There were several situations in the game where it dangerous. Niki: to him goalkeeper with 1.76m. As tall as you are. Henri Griesel: The Swiss didn't expect that either. I used a good header player You can't that. I a couple of goals. Niki: No, yeah, I think... Maybe that's a tactic because nobody defends it. Yeah, yeah. Henri Griesel: Yes, yes, 100 % 100 % Yes, with Niki: Yeah, not else happens in the first half of the... Do you to add to your size and your head-ball game? Henri Griesel: Yeah. No, wanted to use for that smaller people have more header goals in the future. But was just the beginning. Alexis, McAllister, do well. Good. Niki: Yes, very good. Yes, not much in first half. The embello runs to the goal pimped there, but somehow the ball is still bit pressured. Definitely not an penalty for I've bit on social media that some say that the real Argentine hate has broken Argentina is by all. There were course some situations, but in F-Meter, but that really wasn't Henri Griesel: It into the half, because it's for the rest of the game. Embolo gets a yellow card nothing world-moving. It goes into the second half, pretty slow, but then it's relaxed with a goal from N'Doye. Is that how it? Niki: Hmm? Mm-hmm. Henri Griesel: Ndoye? Dau? Niki: D'oh! Nee. Henri Griesel: No. That's definitely a Japanese. Dau. Ndoye. 67th minute, 67th minute. He scores a really nice goal, 1-1. And that's makes the game good, that it becomes little more again. Niki: The thumb does the... Do how I Dau? He the double pass with Rodriguez on the side. Where they get to Dau. Henri Griesel: We did. Dau? I think is Sou. Sou, S-O-W, right? Do you him? Niki: Sau, sau, dau, sau, whatever. dear Sau, yes. But what surprised me, this Rodriguez, it's still Henri Griesel: Diebre Sau. Yeah, is ja auch wurscht. Ey, I at FIFA 14. Niki: So, that... Yeah... I had cards from the ones used as a FIFA sticker and what do I know, I matcha-text cards from Rodríguez when he Wolfsburg and stuff. So... And... Yeah, exactly, yeah. And now he's still so... Unbelievable. Henri Griesel: Ne lenga! Yeah. Yeah. I think they have a left back problem with Switzerland, otherwise they would something. The guy is really... He won't be the youngest anymore. Wait, how old is he? 33, it's still Niki: So. Yeah. What's on? Is that his brother? Henri Griesel: No, no, that's the one. Ricardo Rodriguez. Good. Niki: That's it. Okay, sick. But then it to the biggest trigger. Embolo in focus. In of the coach's No attack situation. In empty space he himself into the opponent. Comes to attack. The interprets it as a foul play. Gives the Argentinian a yellow card. And then the new rules which the VAR now intervene, because I player-mixing template. The looks at it, he sees that it actually a swallow, takes the yellow card for Paredes, I think gone. Henri Griesel: Yeah, I know. Niki: and shows the second yellow and he off the Henri Griesel: And we have again a... a crazy shiri decision or a rule change before the tournament the game decides. We already with this hand in front of the mouth, where there also a red card and etc. I find it very hard and crazy that something that also a game, because for all you who are not so regularly on the road or are comfortable with it, a swan in the man's land of the so outside of 16th. Niki: Mm. Yeah. Henri Griesel: so was wurde noch nie geahndet beziehungsweise gar mit einer karte geahndet Niki: No, that's the thing. If the Schiris sees that there's a swallow on he probably wouldn't even whiffed the swallow. He have just it run. No foul play. But now the Argentinian player has already the unlawfully, so the VAR intervene. And only because the Mbolo gets the second yellow. I think the WAA far too competent. Schiri is not there to decide It's a super stupid move by Mbolo to draw a swan But that's not in sense of football, that the game is decided Henri Griesel: No, absolutely not. And we have already about privately before. I had already said that I see it like you. now the application area of the video referee has become so extremely large. That for some things because it also very quickly with the World For example, corners are sometimes corrected and so on. That goes very, very quickly. No big thing made it. But otherwise the Niki: Mm. Henri Griesel: The WM already very high And that's what games, especially with changes Niki: Argentina still can't in the regular game time. To the lead goal goes into the extension. They dominate the game in numbers and then comes the 112th minute Julian Alvarez with an absolute dream goal and shoots the Argentinean lead. Henri Griesel: Really nice R1 shot, FIFA. Pull in. Niki: We have 50 % female listeners. I think you have to describe Henri Griesel: He pulls in from half left, just before the 16th, a meter before the 16th, and then twirls him with a strong right foot, with really nice effect and with cut top right in the corner and then an absolute dream goal. So far, hasn't been good tournament for to be as a goalkeeper king. Niki: Yeah. Henri Griesel: It rather inconspicuous. Oh, you expect a Duel of Lautaro Martinez, don't I don't know. It doesn't he wasn't that convincing and then such a decisive dream goal. That could really something and become important for the England game. Niki: Nah, I the whole You have the next one. That's not anymore. Yes, absolutely. Then the time, Switzerland put everything forward, 3 to 1. significant result, the game I question for you now after the game. What you think, which striker runs with this Henri Griesel: Normally I have... Cristiano Ronaldo. Niki: Only on second place. Lionel Messi all 230 strikers in this World runs the least. 6.8 kilometers per 90 minutes. Henri Griesel: We're only on second place. That's pretty sick. That's sick. Niki: What shocked bit, rather, nowadays, at every messi corner, you saw how hundreds of phones are in the audience. Really a terrible picture, you only saw the phones. I it bit of but well, guess that's just the Henri Griesel: I don't know what you mean. the other hand I a view where they in the corner of the stadium and all the people, even if it's a cell in all the people are standing on the stands and this man goes into a calm and serenity to ball and that's a picture for the gods that comes out of This guy is especially in Argentina, he is revered as Ronaldo in Portugal. Niki: Yeah. Henri Griesel: and I mean your national hero, his last World he already the World Cup, finally, four years ago, doesn't stop and then another tournament with eight goals and such a run. So that's something that could be scripted if you think if you're football romantic. Niki: Mm. Yeah... Verrückt. Especially after a year in the USA where the highest class football is anymore, the team is still so strong and this quality and them the second World title in Do you that? Who is your favorite Henri Griesel: I would said that Argentina is already a also because of the World four years ago and England is not the World Cup power anymore. But the bookmakers say that England going be And that surprised I would have said that there a tendency that Argentina. Niki: Yeah. So I think, if you the tournament of the side of England and Argentina is definitely much easier. Both, in my opinion, with no convincing tournament, not really with convincing games. mean, in the end they are right, the end they won and that's what about in football. And one of these two teams will now be in the final and then, even if they... until the final, convincing tournament. A realistic chance on the World title, because as we know, can happen And... whether it's... Argentina or England, it's a total 50-50 game So... I haven't decided yet, how I would predict there. I definitely believe in France because they are incredible. I believe they are... pretty attractive game against Spain. And then nothing comes of it that the MVP will his second World title at top. Henri Griesel: Yeah. I think the French will it the most of all the so That's no question. It's just the pre-final now. I expect a lot from this game. Basically it's not that bad that it's already semi-final. I have the feeling that quarter-finals semi-finals there's always more power and bit more risk than it's on the big stage. That's I hope it be a great game. The French will the Niki: Mm. Henri Griesel: The but the four guys in front them will individually. I think that's going be a world champion. If they game against Spain, they Niki: We will follow it. And we will it in the podcast. there again. And here we will it in the podcast. One last episode we for this World We will here again after the World final and discuss it. Let the tournament pass a little review. Of course about the final and about the most beautiful, worst moments. We predictions again, we don't to, because... Yeah, okay, we can do that. Henri Griesel: We can do it. I'm sure the Belgians played a great tournament and the hot tag proved to be true. top performance. Niki: Yeah. We can in the next episode. But this won't be our last episode. Because the next Bundesliga season is already ahead. And we'll into that. That was just... How do you Our run-up. A teaser. The actual project starts at the Bundesliga. But that really fun. And... Henri Griesel: teaser teaser so that was I can briefly explain that this podcast about the was the appetizer among the drinks, the appetizer in the food menu, the interlude of a football match, the warm-up of the Wimbledon final. What's in the Bundesliga season will break all the Niki: And there we see each again, Henry, We still some games with the semi-finals, game in third place, We'll all of that in our next episode. We're forward Henri Griesel: and we will get you back the boat for a little bit of World Cup. We will say goodbye to the USA, Canada and Mexico. We are forward to it and hope that you will tune in in next episode about the end of the World Cup. Niki: Hasta luego. Henri Griesel: Hasta luego, ihr Lieben! Tschüssi! Niki: Coming, football's coming.