Nickname: Les BleusStory so far: France topped Group A thanks to last-gasp wins against Romania and Albania and a goalless draw with Switzerland. Coach Didier Deschamps has shown an ability to correct problems with his slow-starting side. That tactical nous was again required in the round of 16 against the Republic of Ireland, when a recalibration into a 4-2-3-1 and an Antoine Griezmann double took France through after falling behind. Route to last eight: 2-1 Romania, 2-0 Albania, 0-0 Switzerland, 2-1 Republic of IrelandStar performer:
Tag: france
Preview: France v Republic of Ireland
France take on Republic of Ireland in Lyon unbeaten in last five games against their opponents Les Bleus triumphed 2-1 on aggregate in 2010 FIFA World Cup play-offs (1-0 away, 1-1 home)France have not won a EURO knockout tie since 2000; Ireland in knockout stage for first timeDidier Deschamps' side unbeaten in seven matches (W6 D1)France's Dimitri Payet plays with Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph at West HamPossible line-upsFrance: Lloris; Sagna, Rami, Koscielny, Evra; Pogba, Kanté, Mat...
Teenage talents out to take France by storm
One of the highlights of any major tournament is watching a bright new talent burst on to the scene, and UEFA EURO 2016 ought to prove no exception with ten teenage hopefuls looking to grab their chance.The likes of Kingsley Coman and Marcus Rashford may be familiar names already thanks to their club feats, but they and their fellow teenagers face the greatest test of their potential yet. All ten, among the candidates for the Young Player of the Tournament award presented by SOCAR, must overcome stiff competition within their own squads before getting an opportunity to light up the competition. They can nonetheless...
France set to receive presidential approval
With confidence soaring after a string of high-scoring friendly displays, UEFA EURO 2016 hosts France touched down at Le Bourget airport in the northern Paris suburbs on Sunday afternoon.While the weather was cloudy, the outlook is sunny for coach Didier Deschamps, who led the squad off the plane and on to a team bus that bears the slogan "Your strength, our passion".Sucking a lollipop, Laurent Koscielny was one of the first down the plane's steps, along with Arsenal colleague Olivier Giroud, his fellow scorer in Saturday evening's comprehensive 3-0 victory over Scotland in their final warm-up game in Metz.Giroud's double made it seven goals in four outings. The 29-ye...
Uncapped Umtiti replaces Mathieu in France squad
Centre-back Jérémy Mathieu has withdrawn from France's UEFA EURO 2016 squad with a calf problem and been replaced by the uncapped Samuel Umtiti.Barcelona's Mathieu linked up with the rest of Didier Deschamps' players earlier this week despite sustaining the injury in the Spanish champions' Copa del Rey final victory against Sevilla last Sunday.
France qualify for Women’s EURO 2017
The path to the first 16-team UEFA Women's EURO final tournament in the Netherlands begins with a preliminary round and takes in a qualifying group stage and play-offs.In the preliminary round, two groups of four teams are played as one-venue mini-tournaments between 4 and 9 April 2015. The group winners progress to the qualifying group stage to join the 38 highest-ranked contenders in eight groups of five sides contested between 14 September 2015 and 20 September 2016.The eight group winners and the six best runners-up then advance to the final tournament, while the other two runners-up go to a play-off from 17–25 October 2016.Hosts the Netherlands will join the 15...
Snap shot: Arconada agony, France ecstacy
Spain were proving equal to the task against hosts and favourites France in the 1984 UEFA European Championship final when the cruel finger of fate pointed to Luis Arconada. The goalkeeper allowed Michel Platini's free-kick to squirm under him, meaning a ninth goal of the finals for Platini, the vanguard of France's 'carré magique' (magic square) alongside Luis Fernández, Jean Tigana and Alain Giresse. There was no way back for Spain, Bruno Bellone sealing a 2-0 French triumph.