Michael Emons
BBC Sport at Stadium MK

Image source, BBC Sport

What an evening we have ahead of us.

Third in the world rankings France take on a Germany side two places below them for the right to meet hosts England in Sunday's Euro 2022 final at a sold out Wembley.

France are unbeaten in 18 matches, but this is new territory for them as they had not made it beyond the quarter-finals of the Euros before a tense extra-time 1-0 win over the Netherlands on Saturday saw them finally make it into the final four.

But for Germany, they have seen it all before. They have won this tournament on eight of the 12 occasions it has been held and have been superb so far, winning all four of their matches, scoring 11 times without even conceding a goal.

Sarina Wiegman's England were sensational last night as they crushed Sweden, the highest-ranked European side, 4-0 and the Lionesses can just tonight sit back and watch to see who their opponents will be at the weekend.

Image source, BBC Sport

Alex Scott
Former England and Arsenal defender on BBC One

What Germany have been good at is getting in wide areas and getting in crosses the box. Huth has made a huge difference to this Germany side in this tournament. Straight away she thinks 'balls into the box'. She wants to get forward, get balls in and cause havoc. It is Germany style of old.

France have won two of their last three internationals against Germany, most recently a 1-0 win in a friendly in June 2021.

The last major tournament match between the two nations saw Germany progress, on penalties in the 2015 World Cup quarter-final.

This will be the third Euros match between Germany and France, with Germany winning both of the previous two: 3-0 in 2005 and 5-1 in 2009, both in the group stage.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at Stadium MK

Image source, BBC Sport

France and Lyon captain Wendie Renard is one of the most decorated footballers, having won the Champions League with her club eight times, 14 French titles and the French Cup on nine occasions.

But at international level, she is yet to play in a major final - losing in the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup and then again in the last four of the London Olympics a year later.

In yesterday's news conference she was asked what it would mean to her to help France into their first major final, and replied: “It will not mean anything if we don’t win the trophy.

“People don’t talk about finishing third, people only talk about the winners and if you win a trophy. I’m competitive and love winning trophies and I’m doing everything here that I can. The young players are gaining experience and also really want to win a trophy for the national team.

“It will be a great game against a top team that's already won this tournament before so we know it’s going to be difficult but nothing is impossible. There’s plenty of quality in our team and I believe in my team-mates.

“It’s two top football nations coming together, it’s the semi-finals of the Euros and both teams are here for a reason. Germany have scored many goals and not conceded any so we need to be determined and clinical when we get into the box. We’re taking it calmly and not putting pressure on ourselves."

Fara Williams
Former England midfielder on BBC One

In football, you often watch the player on the ball. What is so impressive about the French team is what the players do off the ball. When players run off the ball, it gives the one on it the time to make better decisions. They do it unbelievably well.

Alex Scott
Former England and Arsenal defender on BBC One

I love France's left side. These two players, Karchaoui and Cascarino, their link-up play... what excites me is that they are so direct. You can see that partnership that you always want in teams. Karchaoui is always thinking 'where is my partner'. She is looking to get forward, into the box and terrorise defences. There is always an end product.

Julien Laurens
French football expert on BBC Radio 5 live

There was a lot of doubts going into the tournament about the atmosphere within the France camp and the unity and how far they could go in the competition and it has been better than we expected.

Good results always help of course but now that they are in the semi-finals, they think this is anybody's Euros. Between Germany and France it has to be 50-50.

Germany have won all four games at Euro 2022 without conceding.

The only longer run of clean sheets was Germany's seven in a row between 2001 and 2005.

Fara Williams
Former England midfielder on BBC One

A lot of us did not know what to expect from this Germany team. They have come as a team we are familiar with, though. They are well-structured and disciplined in their play. They know how to win. They play quite simple football but it is really effective.

Germany have scored 99 goals at the Women’s Euros.

Their next goal will make the first team to ever score 100.

Alex Scott
Former England and Arsenal defender on BBC One

When I look at England, I think they are looking at their own strengths and what they bring. They will be watching this game tonight thinking 'bring it on'. Both of these teams are exceptional. Both have pace and strength. It will be interesting tonight. But England will stay at the hotel, knowing they are already at Wembley and not stressed about this game. In the women's game there is history with either of these sides.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at Stadium MK

Image source, BBC Sport

Just before yesterday's news conference at Stadium MK, it was announced that Germany winger Klara Buhl had tested positive for Covid-19, only five days after she had put in a player of the match performance in the 2-0 quarter-final win over Austria.

Germany boss Martina Voss-Tecklenburg said the news had left the squad feeling "subdued", while 20-year-old defensive midfielder Lena Oberdorf, who has been one of the stars of the tournament, said it provided extra motivation to succeed.

"It's such a pity for Klara, she's been in really good form and played really well in all the games," added Oberdorf. "We will play the game for Klara and try to win it for her, we will give everything."

For Germany it's the second time this tournament that a player will have been out because of Covid-19 after striker Lea Schuller missed the group games against Spain and Finland following a positive test a few days after scoring in the 4-0 win over Denmark.

Laura Georges
Former France international on BBC One

The quarter-final for France was a moment to say 'OK, we need to release the energy and step up our game'. Now it is released, I think this game will be even easier for them to express who they are.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Zeit journalist Christian Spiller: "The tournament right now for Germany is really good, way better than people expected.

"There is a feeling that the journey hasn't come to an end and maybe won't come to an end today. Maybe we'll see each other on Sunday and then we can talk about Germany and the Lionesses again."

France have attempted more shots (94) than any other nation at this year’s Women’s European Championship.

However, despite this they have scored just nine goals. Their 9.6% shot conversion rate is the lowest of the four semi-finalists.

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Michael Emons
BBC Sport at Stadium MK

Image source, BBC Sport

This will be the fourth game Milton Keynes has held, after three Group B matches, and the city has proved to be a great host.

A crowd of 20,721 (the eighth highest of the tournament so far) watched Germany's 3-0 victory over Finland and there are no tickets available for tonight's encounter in the 28,600-capacity Stadium MK, home of men's League One side MK Dons.

The only thing that threatens the attendance is today's national rail strike, although Milton Keynes Central has, unlike some stations, still been able to have a limited service of seven trains running an hour throughout the day - to London, Northampton, Manchester and Birmingham. But the station is now closed with no more trains in or out until tomorrow morning.

Despite that, the city's fan park in Station Square is still absolutely buzzing with hundreds of fans from both countries mixing and creating a superb pre-match atmosphere. The German fan club bus is back, as are the face painters, table football games, penalty shootout competitions, keepy-up tournaments, live music acts and food and drink outlets in this fun football festival.

This is the last game in the city, but there will still be a Milton Keynes interest in the final as that is where England captain Leah Williamson is from. In February, she surprised some very excited youngsters from the Emerson Valley School in the city by taking part in a question and answer session via video call.

Will Williamson, Milton Keynes and the rest of the country be celebrating with her lifting the trophy at Wembley on Sunday? Or will the celebrations come from Germany or France?

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

Germany have won eight of the past 10 European Championships. There have only been 12 Euros to date.

They progressed from eight of their nine semi-finals, failing only against Italy in 1993.

This is France’s first ever Women’s Championship semi-final tie, the only one of this year’s four semi-finalists to reach this stage for the first time.

Each of the last four first-time semi-finalists were eliminated (Spain 1997, Finland 2005, Netherlands 2009, Austria 2017). Germany were the last to progress in 1989.