17:06, 13-Jul-2018
2018 FIFA World Cup: Podolski surprised with croatia dominance
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16:51, 16-Jul-2018
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02:17
Football fans in Moscow appeared to be making the most of the break in World Cup action. But for France and Croatia, the focus is already squarely on Sunday's final.
France begin the match as favorites, thanks in part to the impressive forward line of Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann. But Germany's legendary 2014 World Cup winner, Lukas Podolski, feels there is more to France than their star strikers.
LUKAS PODOLSKI 2014 WORLD CUP WINNER "I think they defend very well. They have quick players up front, of course. But they are defending very well like last game against Belgium. Good organization on the pitch. And a nice mix, young good players as well as some experienced players. But the games what I saw, they are very organized and they defend very well."
Croatia have now played 90 minutes more football than France? Added to that, they've also survived two penalty shootouts.
Fatigue could be a factor in the final. Podolski doesn't it that way.
LUKAS PODOLSKI 2014 WORLD CUP WINNER "The strength, the mentally to win this game. The hunger, to win every duel, to win every header, to win everything. They attacking, they press. This is what football needs. They are very motivated, they are aggressive and you see again after the one-one, they want to win."
DAN WILLIAMS MOSCOW "This World Cup has provided a number of surprises over the last month. Not least the holders Germany crashing out in the group stage. Podolski, who helped Germany win the 2014 World Cup, hopes that will have long-term benefits for the four-time winners."
LUKAS PODOLSKI, 2014 WORLD CUP WINNER "Maybe it is good that everyone in the Germany team, president and the coach and everything, people who are involved, change something and as well the German teams to see what we can improve, what we can do better. So maybe it is a good thing."
For the fans here in Moscow, it's all about Sunday's final? And the potential of yet another memorable match. Dan Williams CGTN Moscow.