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MARSEILLE, France -- The World Cup winners against the hosts, the resumption of an old rivalry, the Marseillaise sung loud in Marseille -- Frances semifinal against Germany makes for a mouthwatering semifinal on Thursday.Germany goes into the game missing key players through injury or suspension, while France is so far untested against top-level opposition at this tournament.Though politics and wartime history are certainly part of the France-Germany rivalry, there are plenty of football grudges too.Few French fans could forgive the World Cup semifinal in 1982 when a physical West German team beat France 3-3 on penalties. German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher became a national hate figure in France after charging into Frances Patrick Battiston, leaving him unconscious and with multiple injuries.France has won five of eight meetings with Germany since German reunification in 1990 -- including a 2-0 win in November -- but those victories were all in friendlies. The French lost the one game when it really mattered, going down 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the 2014 World Cup. Indeed, France hasnt beaten the Germans at a major tournament since 1958.Mats Hummels, the German goalscorer in 2014, misses Thursdays game in Marseille through suspension after picking up a second booking in the quarterfinal win over Italy. Germany must also face France without forward Mario Gomez and midfielder Sami Khedira, who are both injured. There are also doubts over the fitness of veteran midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.By contrast, France coach Didier Deschamps has a fully fit squad. However, his team has so far avoided the other leading contenders at its home European Championship.While Ireland and Icelands fans entertained the French public, their teams didnt stretch Frances players to the limit in its two knockout games to date. Conceding a goal against the Irish and two against Iceland is also unlikely to lift lingering concerns over the French defense. The hosts toughest test so far came in the group stage, when they were held to a 0-0 draw by the solid if unadventurous Swiss.France would do well to be cautious in the semifinal. The last time Germany faced the host nation in the semifinal of a major tournament, it was more a demolition than a victory.While Germanys injury-depleted team may struggle to repeat its 7-1 crushing of Brazil at the 2014 World Cup, the world champions remain a big threat to French dreams of dominance at home.A fired-up crowd in Marseilles Stade Velodrome will just drive Germany on, coach Joachim Loew said Monday.I dont know how many thousand fit, but the vast majority of fans will be behind France in Marseille, youll have this energy, he said. Super, when its like this, no really, its a motivation.---This story has been corrected to show that France beat Germany 2-0 in a friendly last November.Jermaine Eluemunor Jersey . Then the Pacers gave Oladipo and his Orlando teammates the cold shoulder. 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The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup.Pele did not attend Fridays opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics because of poor health, thereby denying Brazilians the chance to celebrate their greatest sports figure.The 75-year-old soccer great said this week that he had been invited to light the cauldron, but that was not confirmed by Rio organizers.Im not physically able to attend the opening of the Olympics, Pele said in a statement Friday.Pele had hip surgery recently and often walks with a cane. His absence was a huge disappointment to fans and organizers. He is easily Brazils most recognizable athlete -- or former athlete -- even though he stopped playing almost 40 years ago.Only God is more important than my health, he wrote. In my life, Ive had fractures, surgeries, pain, hospital stays, victories and defeats. And Ive always respected those who admire me.He said not attending was my own decision.He tweeted during the opening ceremony:Peles planned role in the opening ceremony was never clear. He said earlier that a commitment to a sponsor would force him to travel the day of the ceremony.ddddddddddddIf I manage to change [the travel plans], I would like to have the honor to light it, he said.Brazilian marathoner Vanderlei De Lima did the honors of lighting the cauldron, getting his golden moment 12 years later than he might have.De Lima was leading the 2004 race at the Athens Games when a protester attacked him and disrupted his run. De Lima wound up finishing third but has been lauded for how he handled the incident.Gustavo Kuerten carried the torch into the stadium, then handed it to Brazilian basketball legend Hortencia Marcari. She brought it to the stage, then De Lima brought it up the stairs and held it aloft for 60,000 to cheer.In his statement Friday, Pele apologized for disappointing Brazilians and said as a Brazilian, I ask God to bless all who participate in this event.He signed the statement Edson Arantes do Nascimento -- Pele.The Associated Press contributed to this report. ' ' '