p.I think they do get the sense of urgency, but theres some things we cant control, Rivera said. So the biggest thing we can do is control what we can, and

MARSEILLE, France -- Coach Didier Deschamps has challenged his players to write themselves into the history of French football on Thursday by beating Germany in their European Championship semifinal.France has not won a trophy since Euro 2000 and is bidding to reach the final of a major competition for the first time in a decade.We have a new page to write. The players can write it, Deschamps said Wednesday at a pre-match news conference. Its blank now. We have to fill it tomorrow. Germany has reached at least the semifinals in the past five tournaments, losing the Euro 2008 final and winning the 2014 World Cup.We cant match Germany in terms of their experience, the number of caps, the number of semifinals and finals theyve been in, Deschamps said. But were going to give it our best shot. I dont want us to just think about defending. We have the ability to create danger.France had been waiting a long time for such an opportunity. After losing the 2006 World Cup final to Italy on penalties, which brought the curtain down on Zinedine Zidanes glory era, Les Bleus went into freefall, failing to win a game at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.Quarterfinal appearances at Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup -- where it lost 1-0 to Germany -- somewhat restored Frances reputation.But victory against Germany would definitively close the chapter on an often traumatic era for French football, which included qn infamous training-ground strike at the World Cup six years ago.To reach that tournament, France had needed a blatant handball by Thierry Henry in a controversial playoff win against Ireland. There was also a five-match ban for then-captain Patrice Evra after the 2010 World Cup and a lack of discipline followed at Euro 2012.The build-up to Euro 2016 was full of debate as to whether striker Karim Benzema should play.With Benzema facing preliminary charges of conspiracy to blackmail France teammate Mathieu Valbuena, Deschamps left out arguably his most talented player in the interests of team harmony.Not everythings been smooth, but the players have done what they needed to, said Deschamps, the team captain when France won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. I believe in them.So far, his key choices have largely paid off at Euro 2016.He has stuck with striker Olivier Giroud against the majority of public opinion, and has been repaid with three goals.He took a risk on inexperienced Leicester midfielder NGolo Kante, who is now one of the most consistent players in the side.But his best move was giving attacking midfielder Dimitri Payet another chance, bringing him back into the side in late March.On Thursday, Deschamps is counting on a show of unity at Marseilles Stade Velodrome to help his side.Im convinced the fans will be right behind us, Deschamps said. Theyll have their part to play, and well need them. Paul Goldschmidt . LOUIS -- St. Giovanny Gallegos . Andreas Johnson had a goal and two assists while Jacob de la Rose also scored for Sweden (2-0-0). Esa Lindell and Rasmus Ristolainen replied for Finland (1-1-0) Lindell opened the scoring for Finland just 41 seconds into the game, but the hosts quickly regained their composure and tied the score less than four minutes later on Wennbergs first of the game. http://www.custommlbcardinalsjersey.com/custom-harrison-bader-jersey-large-1311q.html . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. Authentic Custom Cardinals Jersey .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again. Custom Cardinals T-shirts . They had already blown a double-digit lead, fans were hitting the exits, and a long seven-game road trip waited at the end. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Pro Bowl linebacker Thomas Davis says the Carolina Panthers have to understand their window is closing if they hope to achieve their goal of returning to the playoffs and Super Bowl.Carolina is 1-4 heading into Sundays game at New Orleans (1-3). None of the previous four teams that started 1-5 or worse after reaching the Super Bowl has made the playoffs, according to Elias Sports Bureau.That includes the 2004 Panthers, who began 1-7 after losing to New England in Super Bowl XXXVIII.Whenever you are put in a position that we put ourselves in right now as a football team, to start our season out 1-4 when we had so many high expectations coming into this season, without a doubt we have to realize everything that we had set forth to accomplish this season is still in front of us, Davis said on Thursday.But we also have to realize the window is closing. We cant continue to lose football games and try to accomplish the things we want to accomplish as a football team.The Panthers are three games behind Atlanta (4-1) in the NFC South. They are 0-2 in the division with losses to the Falcons and Tampa Bay.Every game moving forward is a must-win game for us as a football team, Davis said. Were not focused in on what could happen late in the season. Were not looking for this to be another 3-8-1 start annd pray and hope that other people do our jobs for us.dddddddddddd Its all about taking care of our job right now and controlling what we can control.The 2014 Panthers started 3-8-1 but trailed Atlanta and New Orleans by only a game and a half with four games remaining. They won out, including victories against the Falcons and Saints, to win the NFC South and make the playoffs with a 7-8-1 record.Carolina coach Ron Rivera said his team understands the sense of urgency and how to deal with adversity. He offered a reminder of the 2014 team that didnt win for two months, as well as last years team that started 14-0 after losing star receiver Kelvin Benjamin during training camp.I think they do get the sense of urgency, but theres some things we cant control, Rivera said. So the biggest thing we can do is control what we can, and thats us, what we do when we get on the football field. Thats all we can do.I know its a tough situation. I know people wish we were 4-1. S---, I wish we were 4-1. But the bottom line is were not. We are what our record says we are. So we have to go out and take them one at a time. We have to play each game as if its the most important game were about to play. ' ' '