Well finally Germany won by more than the minimum necessary! I only saw the second half, but that was clearly where all the action was…and especially pleasing to see some of the kids with quality time on the pitch.
I dunno, arm away from the body, deflecting the ball in the box. I think that gets called 9 times out of 10. Of course, I’d be less forgiving if my team had lost. 
Plenty of handballs get called incorrectly, true. Whether the ball was heading into a dangerous area or not should be irrelevant. The sole criterion is supposed to be whether it was deliberate or not. In this case, the player had his back to the ball and if anything looked like he was trying to get his arm out of the way of possible contact.
I don’t think they’d have given it had it still been 1-1. But it didn’t matter, and hey, consolation goal for Greece.
It’s not whether it’s deliberate or not. It’s whether the arm is in a “natural position”. The idea is that players should learn to keep their arms down. Think about it: if the ball was going into the goal, who should suffer because it hit a defender in the wrist? The innocent attacking team, or the at-fault-even-if-not-deliberately defending team?
I think at least historically the formal definition has been deliberate, but I agree that in practical terms, arms not by the sides gets a call. And that makes sense - only calling handballs where it was obviously deliberate would result in a lot of guys in the box swinging their arms around ‘innocently’.
The Laws of the Game say “deliberate” but there was a FIFA directive that went out in… 1998ish that said factors to be considered in determining whether a handball was deliberate was the speed of the ball, the distance between the player and the guy who kicked it, and whether the hands/arms were in a natural position.
I want to say it was after the 2002 WC where Germany benefited from such a judgement call against the US.
This is the most impressive performance yet from Spain in this tournament. They’re keeping the French- who are no bad side- entirely out of the game.
The French appear hypnotized by Spain’s wizardry with the ball – although we’re still lacking in the finishing department, as a Spanish fan, I haven’t felt threatened at all. The completed passes and possession stats must be staggering by now.
Let’s hope we continue this way…preferably with a goal within the first ten minutes of the second half.
Vamos España!
It does have to be deliberate. The question of whether a player had their hands raised is part of deciding whether it is deliberate or not. My cite is the actual laws of the game, and the offcial interpretation of the rules.
*Law 12:
A direct free kick is awarded [if a player] handles the ball deliberately.
*
Interpretation of the Laws of the Game:
Handling the ball involves a deliberate act of a player making contact with the ball with his hand or arm. The referee must take the following into consideration:
• the movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand)
• the distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball)
• the position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an infringement
The official interpretation is still a bit vague, but it is clear that handball must be deliberate to be an offence.
Obviously the ref has to base his decision on a proxy measure of deliberate handling. An actual test would include what - asking the player? He could lie. Hooking them up to a polygraph? That’s ridiculous. So that’s why the ref bases his decision on the actions of the player, but these actions are treated as revealed intentions. Obviously, this is an imperfect system that leaves room for some misinterpretation, but still, that’s the legal basis that refs are going on.
France definitely creating some good chances; in fact I think they have had the better of this half so far.
I must ne watching a different game or I’m biased xue to being in Spain, but I’ve been catastrophically unimpressed with France the entire game. Poor passing, a lack of actual shots on goal, and incredibly lackluster play has made it easy to despise them. And this second half isn’t much better.
No, France have been better this second half. Just not enough better.
So far I’m not sure why England isn’t embarrassed to have only managed a draw with France. But to me Spain seems beatable in this match. I’d love to see that happen. Nothing against Spain, I just think it would be interesting to see.
Addition: stupid penalty to give away!
They’re not exactly clinical though are they, Spain?
Before the penalty France could have equalised at any time yet Spain came nowhere near finishing the game off.
Well, Spain scores in injury time – Spain 2 - France 0, and Spain goes through to the semifinals.
Let’s see how the Peninsular derby goes in a few days’ time! 
I fully admit to being a futbol neophyte, but explain to me how they were better than Spain that half. I saw maybe one save the Spanish goaltender had to make the entire game, and more than enough passes by France being a meter behind or in front of the intended player. I saw a Spain team that contrlloed the ball, challenged the other team in their own zone, and played much better defense without fouling than France.
Again, I’m a beginner, but I saw nothing that would make me conclude France outplayed Spain in either half.
Almost too easy – total control of the match, France looked totally harmless out there. In fact, Iker had exactly one save to make of any merit.
Really like the way the team played today, and I also thought VDB pulled the right switches at the end, with Pedro, Torres & Cazorla – gave back a bit of the speed we’d lost.
Congrats to Xabi Alonso on his 100th match with the Red Fury as well as his MOM award.
No complaints. Bring on Portugal. Onwards.
Vamos!
Sorry, I didn’t mean that France were better than Spain overall, just that their competitiveness improved in the second half over the first. Their possession was better, passing was a bit better, and they got within range more. But not enough more.
That late penalty given was pretty soft, and rather unnecessary in my opinion.
Anyway I still see weaknesses in Spain’s defense without Puyol that someone (Germany?) might be able to exploit if they can reliably get past Spain’s superb midfield.
Portugal might be a bit more dangerous than France was, but I see Spain in the Final.
Gotcha. Second half France was better than First Half France without a doubt. But First Half France was not good at all. That game the French played (unlike most every other game I’ve seen this Eurocopa) was everything Americans disdain about futball. It was boring, sloppy, poorly executed, and lacking almost any energy at all. Thank heavens the other games have bben much better.