'Too close to call' - players on Belgium-France semi-final
Tue 10 July 2018, 12:16|
Tottenham Hotspur
Hugo Lloris, Toby Alderweireld, Mousa Dembele and Jan Vertonghen play for a place in the World Cup Final when they meet in a fascinating semi-final between France and Belgium in St Petersburg this evening (7pm UK).
Captain of Spurs and France, Hugo will lead Les Bleus into battle at the Krestovsky Stadium and on the other side of the tunnel, three familiar faces, friends and team-mates at Spurs in Toby, Mousa and Jan. Indeed, in the case of Jan and Mousa, they've all been together at Spurs sine 2012.
The quartet in action are joined by five players in the England squad in semi-final action against Croatia on Wednesday night, when Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Harry Kane, Danny Rose and Kieran Trippier will aim to join at least one of their team-mates in the final.
Back at Spurs, the players not involved in the World Cup returned to Hotspur Way for the first day of pre-season training on Monday.
What did they think of their team-mates facing off in the Belgium-France semi-final? Here's what they had to say...
The boys have done so well and either way, we'll have team-mates in the World Cup Final
BEN DAVIES
Part of Wales team that beat Belgium in quarter-finals of Euro 2016
"It’s a huge game. The boys have done so well to get where they are already and either way, we’re going to have team-mates in the World Cup Final. It’s a tough one to call. If you’d looked at the schedule after the group stage you could probably have picked these four teams to be left on each side of the draw. Belgium beat Brazil, a huge result. Belgium have looked really good at times, France just keep on winning games. It’s a tough one to call."
It’s small details that can decide this type of game
MOUSSA SISSOKO
53 caps for France
"It’s difficult to say who will win. It’s the small details that can decide this type of game - a set-piece, a little mistake, one key player making the difference like Mbappe, Pogba or Hazard. These two teams have good players with good talent but of course I will support France. I wish them luck."
I don’t know. I can’t call it. All I know is that it will be a great game!
HARRY WINKS
Capped by England in 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign
"I haven’t a clue, to be honest, I can't separate them. If I had to pick one, I’d probably just go with France but then again, Belgium played so well against Brazil. It’s tough. I still reckon I’ll just go with France. They’ve got that extra pace, but then Belgium...I don’t know. I can’t call it! All I know is that it will be a great game!"
I think maybe the first 20 minutes will be tight but after, I see an open game. The first goal is very important
SERGE AURIER
Played for eight years in France, including three seasons at PSG
"For me, it’s two close teams. Both have the possibility to win the World Cup and with England, they are the best teams left in the tournament. I want to see my friends to go the final. It’s a strange World Cup with teams like Brazil, Germany all out early, but that’s good, it’s a chance for other teams. I think it will be an open game because both teams want to win. I think maybe the first 20 minutes will be tight but after, I see an open game. The first first goal is very important."
I don’t know which team will win. I’m supporting both teams really!
VICTOR WANYAMA
Captain of Kenya
"It’s difficult, tight, 50-50. I don’t know which team will win. I’m supporting both teams really! I really don’t know, perhaps it will go to penalties. They are both good defensively, both good in attack. Maybe it will take a mistake for one team to win in normal time.
"For sure, it’s brilliant for our Club, it shows what we can do. These players had a good season with us and now they are doing wonders for their countries. They took that form to the World Cup. To see a Spurs player lifting the World Cup would be something special."
