Sentimental gamblers may have a hard time choosing which team to place their bets on for the Euro 2016 final between Portugal and France. That's because both teams seem to be riding a wave of luck into the showdown at the Stade de France in Paris.

Portugal are lucky to even be in the tournament, let alone the final. They snuck in, needing to qualify through a playoff for the final spot before they needed more help making the knockout rounds. Tying in each of their three group stage matches, they benefitted from this year's playoff expansion to include the top four three-seeds.

But that has been Portugal's MO since what seems like the beginning of time, they've made four semifinals since 2000 not out of dominance, but out of survival and doing just enough. 

Now Cristiano Ronaldo has a chance to pass Messi and earn eternal bragging rights now that the Argentinian has supposedly retired from international soccer, earn a championship for his country. And he played a vital role in getting them there, hitting the back of the net with a towering header to score the first and what turned out to be deciding goal. With that, he equaled Michel Platini's record of nine Eurocup goals.

And don't think it's a coincidence Portugal have risen as Ronaldo has upped his own game after a slow start. Thanks to it, they will play in their final final since the 2004 Euro final, which Ronaldo played in at the tender age of 19.

On the other side of the pitch will be a French side riding their own luck on their home soil after putting away Germany 2-0. Antoine Griezmann, whom Ronaldo is used to seeing on the other side of the Madrid Derbies, scored a brace for France, capitalizing on German errors.

First was goal keeper Manuel Nauer failing to properly clear a Paul Pogba cross, instead poking it directly to Griezmann's foot, and subsequently the ball found the back of the net. The second goal came off a penalty after Bastian Schweinsteiger got his hand on the ball inside the box while marking Pogba on a cross. Griezmann swiftly converting the penalty kick, making it 2-0.

That's not to say that Germany didn't have their chances, as France was also lucky Germany just barely missed on putting several magnificent shots in. 

Nonetheless, Griezmann and France did play with flair and movement, and it should make for a fun championship match.

As Ronaldo said after their win, "dreaming is free so let's keep dreaming."

Photo: Flickr