As much as we’d love to feel a bit sorry for Olivier Giroud, he *is* in the final of the European Championships. Things aren’t that bad for the man.
France ran out 2-0 winners during a memorable night in Marseille, with Antoine Griezmann bagging himself both goals for the hosts as they overcame a potentially tricky semi final against world champions Germany.
But while the Atletico Madrid man will take most of the headlines, it’s worth noting that Monsieur Giroud played his part.
It’s safe to say that the Arsenal man isn’t blessed with the same blistering speed as his international strike partner – something that was highlighted in the first half.
With a couple of minutes to go until half time, having won a header on the halfway line, Giroud looked to have a free run on the German goal.
https://twitter.com/amadoit_/status/751161371681693696
Unfortunately for him, his lack of pace allowed the German defenders to catch him up and make a tackle before he could pull the trigger.
Within minutes, viewers were mocking his sluggish ways in their masses.
These BBC slow-motion replays of Giroud running through are actually faster than when it happened.
— Aidan Radnedge (@aidanrad) July 7, 2016
They were going to show a slow motion replay of the Giroud chance at half time but it would have taken up all fifteen minutes.
— Liam Ferry (@ongoalsscored) July 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/Erlandas23/status/751139936745689088
Even Gary Lineker was getting involved…
If only Giroud had taken the piano off his back prior to kickoff.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 7, 2016
Minutes later, Alan Shearer – joining Lineker in a Parisian studio for the BBC – briefly touched on Giroud’s lack of pace.
Thierry Henry and Rio Ferdinand, also on pundit duties, couldn’t hold back their laughter…
Henry and Ferdinand laughing about Giroud's pace #GERFRA pic.twitter.com/zrmPlbEsMo
— Réal Simon (@IRealSimon) July 7, 2016
Chin up Olivier, mate.
