France is doing incredible in team sports at the Paris Olympics. The men’s basketball and volleyball teams, along with the women’s handball team, are in the finals, and today (7 PM EAT) at Parc des Princes, the footballers will compete for Olympic gold as well.Thierry Henry’s team narrowly made it to the semi-finals. Egypt led in the semis for a long time, but the best player of the Tricolors in this tournament, Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, equalized in the 83rd minute, and in extra time, the hosts managed to break the Pharaohs’ resistance with a 3-1 win. Before that, France eliminated Argentina with a 1-0 win, a very strong team coached by Javier Mascherano, featuring Julián Álvarez, Thiago Almada, Nicolás Otamendi, and Gerónimo Rulli.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Spanish football is experiencing stellar moments this summer. First, they won the European Championship in Germany, and last month the youth team became champions of the continent in Belfast. Now, La Furia Roja has a chance for another gold medal. In the semi-finals, they defeated Morocco after a comeback with a 2-1 win. Fermin Lopez and Juanlu Sanchez scored the goals in the second half, sparking celebrations among the Spanish team.France and Spain’s trophies ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics Men’s Final 🇫🇷🇪🇸🏆 pic.twitter.com/pr5be7yj1S— OneFootball (@OneFootball) August 9, 2024 For France, besides Mateta, Bayern Munich’s new player Michael Olise is also shining. The former Crystal Palace teammates are working well together. The French team has secured their first Olympic medal in 40 years. Henry, who as a player was both a European and World champion, now has a chance to complete his collection of trophies and win the most prestigious medal in front of his home fans, just like in the 1998 World Cup. The hosts will have great support from the stands of the stadium in the City of Light, home to the country’s champions, Paris Saint-Germain.Spain won silver in Sydney in 2000 and again three years ago in Tokyo, and now Spanish football is eyeing another gold medal. Besides the senior and youth European Championship teams, Real Madrid also became the club champions of the continent at the beginning of June.Oozed charisma as a player, lacks none of it as a coach – can Henry’s boys stop the Spanish golden rush?Henry will not change a winning team. Olise and Mateta will be joined in the attack by Lyon’s veteran Alexandre Lacazette. The Spanish team will also fight for gold with the same strengths. Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez will be responsible for the goals, and Gomez and Ruiz will also play in the attack. Les Bleus have won all five matches in the tournament, while Spain was defeated in the group stage by Egypt with a 2-1 scoreline.Morocco won the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. Achraf Hakimi and his teammates crushed Egypt on Thursday, 6-0.OLYMPIC GAMES – MEN’S FOOTBALL TOURNAMENTBronze-medal matchThursdayEgypt – Morocco 0-6 (0-2)/Ezzalzouli 23, Rahimi 26, 64, El Khannous 51, Nakach 73, Hakimi 87/Gold-medal matchFriday19.00: (2.45) France (3.15) Spain (3.05)***odds are subject to change***
