Match Report: France v Germany Masters, Quarter Final The 6 time gold medal winning Gauls have earned their fearsome reputation with a record that stands like few others. The French are often cited as a case study for pure inline hockey excellence. And indeed, their medal haul at just the masters is testament to that. But another reputation they have earned, is that of variable consistency. Even when playing sublime hockey, they can be prone to missteps and misfires, however rarely. At the Masters, these are all too quick exploited, but the rising tide of talent from every corner. Team Germany are a perfect case in point there also. Their masters team, in Black and Gold with red trim, have played a gritty and physical game to earn their place in this semi-final. They would need another performance like those against Spain in the opening matches, or indeed another like they displayed in the first meeting with France in the tournament opener. It all depended on how the French managed their psychology, and how the germans managed their bodies. France started brighter in the earlier stages of the match, but Germany were completely composed despite the fearsome quickness that that France can provide. Germany remained cool under pressure and moving forward well when French number five Letterier sat for roughing 5 minutes in to the game. German power play was frenetic, with little breakouts from the French 13 Roy. Trying to shut it down, Mader (91 GER) was called for high stick and his frustration in the box symbolic of the frustration the germans felt to not exploit their advantage. Mader, injured seriously from previous matches and struggling to battle through physically was still putting everything on the line for Germany, as the tension could be felt in the air. This broke when France went back to full strength and straight onto a power-play. France score with their fearsome cannon Romain Masson (20). The Germans fell back a bit then, with opportunities coming occasionally, especially from Marco Forster and Paul Fiedler, but without the desired result. Their biggest chance came at 6:51 when Paul Fiedler pressed forward. Then the Germans started ramping up the tough stuff, which is a very useful part of their game. But it was French 55 Julien Latour who had to sit while Germany on another power play. Despite this, they could not break the French down, who were looking lighter on their feet than ever through the whole tournament. An unlucky clash at just two minutes before the half sends France number 10 Philippo to the box for a trip. The German power play shots were going in, the clincher was nailed by the tremendous Marco Forster, to tremendous relief go Germany going in to the half even at 1-1. The second half started with some good early chances for France, while their opponents failed to fully clear in defence. At this stage both sides looked fairly even, showing pace, control, creativity and composure. The Mighty French cannon Masson did not fail his shot to unbalance the even state of affairs, using his unconventional backhand just as deadly as his other weapons. Then the Germans turned up the physical play, with shoulder to shoulder work becoming increasingly popular midway through the second. French number 14 PY Albert is an equal size unit to Masson, and the two large cannons were poised at the top of the box aiming directly at the German keeper. Now more waves of French attacks come in steadily and Germans don’t have much time on the puck in this phase. Mader (91) can be seen in his usual poacher position in front of the French keeper, but it’s visible from this distance in the stands that he is struggling with injury. Now playing with seemingly a wind at their back them now with the wind back, seemingly at liberty with possession, which played with the German emotions having come so far with their power and determination. With a final flourish executed in perfect technical fashion by French number 73 Mathieu Perrier scores, and now Germany will likely feel similar to Team GB earlier, having both built the foundations of a superb side and an outstanding Hockey machine on the day. It didn’t come to the result they expected or at least hope for but here at the Masters you have to be beyond that up against the endless wealth of talent that you can expect to see in these six time gold medal winners with the roosters on their chest. they’ll be shouting “Allez les Blues” all the way into the semi-final. Germany should not hang their heads because the machine that they built is strong and fierce but they must return to build their best placing and come back again knowing that they have the fundamentals in place.