MARSEILLE, France -- After a hellish year, France is just one step away from football heaven.What better way to get there than by downing the world champions and Frances nemesis for over half a century: Germany.A 2-0 European Championship semifinal victory for Les Bleus in the city that lent its name to the French national anthem showed that France is back as a major footballing force for the first time since Zinedine Zidane walked off the field in disgrace in the 2006 World Cup final.No footballing victory can ever wipe away the horror and pain that froze French hearts last year after two terror attacks in Paris.But by advancing to the final against Portugal on Sunday, the Euro 2016 host put a lot of very big smiles on a lot of French faces.Here are 5 things to know about Frances first major tournament win against Germany since the 1958 World Cup:---GRIEZMANNS ON FIREEuro 2016 top scorer Antoine Griezmann was like the toy in the Whac-A-Mole arcade game against Germany: It was never clear where he would pop up and do damage next.His elusive movement and the free rein that France coach Didier Deschamps gave the Atletico Madrid forward to roam seemingly where the mood took him tied Germany in knots at times.Frances first goal-scoring chance started with Griezmann in his own half. After two slick interchanges of passes with midfielder Blaise Matuidi, Griezmann popped up on the edge of the German area and got a shot away, drawing a diving save from German `keeper Manuel Neuer.It was a good example of how the German defense struggled to keep tabs on the 25-year-old who has moved up the gears as the tournament has progressed, seemingly getting more dangerous with each game.He scored the penalty that gave France the lead against Germany on the stroke of half time.His habit of being in the right place at the right time got Frances second. After Neuer flailed at a cross into the box from midfielder Paul Pogba, Griezmann was there for the rebound, poking it in with his left foot through the `keepers legs.---WHATS WITH THE HANDS?Two consecutive matches, two German penalties for handball. That is careless from a team usually so slick.After Jerome Boateng gifted a penalty to Italy in the quarterfinals, Bastian Schweinsteiger was guilty this time.Jumping for a corner with French left-back Patrice Evra, the Manchester United midfielder inexplicably raised both arms above his head, a bizarre mistake from a player so experienced. The semifinal marked the 31-year-olds 120th appearance for Germany.Schweinsteigers right arm, the one wearing his bright yellow captains armband, connected with the ball. Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli pointed to the spot.Arms flung in the air by Boateng against Italy allowed Leonardo Bonucci to equalize and quickly made the hulking German defender the butt of humorous memes on the internet.But that mistake didnt prove decisive: Germany went on to beat Italy in a penalty shoot-out.Schweinsteigers handball wasnt as flamboyant as Boatengs but the damage this time to Germany was greater.---GERMAN DOMINATIONOn paper, Germany coach Joachim Loew reverted to four defenders at the back, changing from the more suffocating formation he used to contain Italy in the quarterfinals.In reality, a German defensive pair of Boateng and Benedikt Howedes kept watch at the back, with Schweinsteiger just in front of them in a deep holding midfield role, while the rest of the team poured forward to heap pressure on France, especially in the furious first half.Germany targeted the French left-hand side as a weak spot, with speedy German right-back Joshua Kimmich and muscular midfielder Emre Can combining to repeatedly overwhelm Frances 35-year-old left-back Patrice Evra.It was Loews first use of Can at Euro 2016. He helped Germany swamp the midfield, pinning France back, and played so far forward that he acted as a second striker at times. France spent much of the match fighting fires, but did so effectively.---FRANCES GOOD TIMINGGriezmann isnt the only one getting better the deeper France goes. Pogbas timing is pretty good, too.After a first standout match in the quarterfinals against Iceland, where he scored with a powerful header, Pogba was decisive again against Germany, creating Frances second goal.Pogba stole a page out of Cristiano Ronaldos playbook, using deceptive footwork to shake off Shkodran Mustafi in the German defense. Having made space for himself, Pogba then floated in the cross that Neuer could only parry to Griezmann.In goal, France captain Hugo Lloris made exceptional diving saves and 22-year-old Barcelona-bound defender Samuel Umtiti again proved the real deal in what was only his second appearance for France.---GERMANYS BAD TIMINGGermanys mounting problems before and during this game eventually became overwhelming.The absence through injury of striker Mario Gomez proved a big blow, since Thomas Mueller was completely ineffective in front of goal, as he has been all tournament.The loss of the powerful Boateng to injury in the second half punched a hole in Germanys defense: It was his replacement, Mustafi, who allowed himself to be bamboozled by Pogba for Frances second goal.Schweinsteigers handball added to the feeling that Germanys captain is losing his sharpness at age 31.In all, it all proved too much even for a nation that has reached the semifinals or better at its last six major tournaments.---John Leicester is an international sports columnist for The Associated Press. 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The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007. Joe Marler hasnt had the most enjoyable 2016 so far, suffering suspensions and enduring personal battles. However, he admits hes now back on the right track. But what has the England props year looked like up until now?March 12 -- England beat Wales 25-21 in the Six Nations but Marler is alleged to have called Samson Lee a gypsy boy.March 14 --?England reveal Marler apologised to Lee for verbally abusing the Wales prop in the game at Twickenham. Hes also cited for allegedly striking Rob Evans during the match.March 16 -- Receives no sanction despite admitting to strike Evans, Six Nations organisers announce.March 17 --?A swift apology and continuing contrition from Marler for calling Lee gypsy boy brings more favour from Six Nations disciplinary officials.March 28 -- Its announced Marler will face a misconduct hearing on April 5 over his gypsy boy slur. World Rugby confirm an independent judicial committee will rule on the spat, after both the RFU and Six Nations cleared the England prop.April 4 -- Marler further apologises for calling Lee a gypsy boy, and insists he is not a racist aheaad of a World Rugby misconduct hearing.ddddddddddddpril 6 -- Is banned for two games as a sanction for his slur against Lee. Hes also fined ￡20,000 -- to be paid to a suitable equality charity.April 26 -- Alleged to have kicked Arnaud Heguy in the head in Harlequins European Challenge Cup win over Grenoble.April 27 -- Cited and then suspended for two weeks for foul play for the kick on Heguy.May 18 --?Rules himself out of Englands Test against Wales and the summer tour to Australia after admitting he is not in the right frame of mind for international rugby.June 15 -- ?Makes an obscene remark at former Australia coach Bob Dwyer on social media and?faces a sanction from the Rugby Football Union. Escapes with a formal warning.Aug. 24 -- Insists hes back on the right track after making himself unavailable for the summer tour of Australia.Now back in the England training squad, will we see Marler in an England shirt when South Africa visit Twickenham in November? ' ' '