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The semi-final clash between Patrice Bernier and Didier Drogba is certain to try at the heart-strings of most IMFC fans.
Bernier, the local favourite versus Drogba, possibly the most world-famous athlete ever to ply his trade in Quebec.
Each man has strolled his way through to the semis but this clash is sure to be tighter than any of either players’ previous contests.
Bernier emerged from Group C with 67%, drifted past Blerim Dzemaili in the R16 (83%) and defeated former captain Davy Arnaud in the last eight (87%) to get here.
Drogba emerged from Group D, the only group to supply two semi-finalists, with 66%, defeated Andres Romero in the R16 (84%) and saw off the challenge of Evan Bush in the quarter-final (81%).
Now they go head to head in what could be an intriguing race for a place in the final.
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Not surprisingly Ignacio Piatti is the favourite in the other semi-final in which he faces Hassoun Camara.
Piatti topped Group H (86%), defeated Jukka Raitala in the R16 (88%) and not even the challenge of master marksman Marco Di Vaio in the quarter-final could prevent Piatti hitting the 80% mark in vote-share.
Camara has just emerged from a tight quarter-final in which he squeezed past Ambroise Oyongo (56%), and earlier in the competition he had a nail-biting Round of 16 contest, eliminating The General, Laurent Ciman with 51% of the vote.
As already stated he is the only man to reach the semi-finals after finishing as a group runner-up. That was Group D, won by Didier Drogba.
The second semi-final looks clear-cut, but all four players involved in the penultimate stage of competition can be rest assured of their popularity on these shores.
Poll
Semi-final 1
This poll is closed
-
53%
Patrice Bernier
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46%
Didier Drogba
Poll
Semi-final 2
This poll is closed
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8%
Hassoun Camara
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91%
Ignacio Piatti