Hi everyone, I'm not going to every game in fact I'm not going to any game at all, but to kick start the tournament I will try and bring the match reports after every game and to give a sample of what to expect I'm going to preview the opening game as well
The less the occasion weighs on the players, the better," said Didier Deschamps ahead of France's UEFA EURO 2016 opener against Romania. Wise Words for You preview has all you need to know.
- Hosts France take on Romania in opening game of UEFA EURO 2016
- Didier Deschamps: "This should set the tone for the whole tournament"
- Anghel Iordănescu: "We are up against one of the best teams"
- Teams met on 10 June at EURO '96 – 20 years to the day before this encounter
Possible line-ups
France: Lloris; Sagna, Rami, Koscielny, Évra; Pogba, Kanté, Matuidi; Griezmann, Giroud, Payet.
France: Lloris; Sagna, Rami, Koscielny, Évra; Pogba, Kanté, Matuidi; Griezmann, Giroud, Payet.
Romania: Tătăruşanu; Săpunaru, Chiricheş, Grigore, Raţ; Hoban, Pintilii; Popa, Stanciu, Stancu; Keșerü.
Doubtful: Filip (ankle)
Doubtful: Filip (ankle)
Coach quotes
Didier Deschamps, France coach
The less the occasion weighs on the players, the better. We have been preparing for 10 June for two years. It's important to be back in competition football. Our last official game was the quarter-final against Germany at the World Cup [in 2014]. The others have all been friendlies. The setting is the Stade de France – the opening game – so it is certainly special. This should set the tone for the whole tournament.
The less the occasion weighs on the players, the better. We have been preparing for 10 June for two years. It's important to be back in competition football. Our last official game was the quarter-final against Germany at the World Cup [in 2014]. The others have all been friendlies. The setting is the Stade de France – the opening game – so it is certainly special. This should set the tone for the whole tournament.
Obviously we're playing in France, but the Romanian team we're up against will not roll over and they will give their best to achieve a good result. If they want to win this match, they can't just defend. This team know how to defend but it's not the only thing they're good at. I watched their most recent games and they are good going forward. I am expecting them to come with the intention of upsetting us, so it will be an interesting battle over the 90 minutes.
Anghel Iordănescu, Romania coach
This game marks the start of a great competition, the greatest on our continent, the European Championship. We are up against one of the best teams in the tournament, among the favourites. I hope and believe our players will do their best to show everybody that we have a good team, a worthy team capable of putting in a good performance. The objective is to qualify, to get through the group, and make a very good impression at the same time.
This game marks the start of a great competition, the greatest on our continent, the European Championship. We are up against one of the best teams in the tournament, among the favourites. I hope and believe our players will do their best to show everybody that we have a good team, a worthy team capable of putting in a good performance. The objective is to qualify, to get through the group, and make a very good impression at the same time.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
France: WWWWLWWWWW
Romania: WLDDWDWDDD
France: WWWWLWWWWW
Romania: WLDDWDWDDD
Did you know?
Deschamps was in the France midfield, and Iordănescu in his first spell as Romania coach, when the teams faced off at EURO '96.
Deschamps was in the France midfield, and Iordănescu in his first spell as Romania coach, when the teams faced off at EURO '96.
Whats your score predictions?
