Euro2016 Opening Match Preview: [8pm] France VS Romania

After all the talk since the end of the club football season, Euro 2016 is finally upon us. The moment the talk stops and the action begins as 24 nations battle it out to be crowned Europe's best. As is tradition, the hosts kick-off the tournament and for France that means a return to competitive action for the fist time since their exit at the hands of Germany in the 2014 World Cup quarter-final. They come up against a stoic Romania side who boasted one of the best defensive records in qualifying and should pose a tough test to Didier Deschamps' side. The Euro 2016 opener will be played later tonight at the Stade de France, kick-off is at 8pm.

TEAM NEWS

France

France had a number of defenders pull out of the 23-man squad ahead of the tournament, with Mathieu Debuchy, Mamadou Sakho, Raphael Varane and Jeremy Mathieu all sidelined. Since the squad was confirmed things have calmed down for the hosts with all the players expected to be fit for selection. Although exciting youngster Kingsley Coman has been nursing a calf injury over the last few days. Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is expected to lead the line for his country, with Paul Pogba the star man in midfield.

Probable line-up: Lloris; Sagna, Rami, Koscielny, Evra; Pogba, Kante, Matuidi; Griezmann, Giroud, Payet.

Romania

Left-back Steliano Filip has been a concern with an ankle strain but he has been in training under the guidance of the medical team and should be available. Former Tottenham defender Vlad Chiriches declared himself '100 per cent ready' after sitting out Romania's final warm-up game against Georgia.

Probable line-up: Tatarusanu; Sapunaru, Chiriches, Grigore, Rat; Hoban, Pintilii; Popa, Stanciu, Stancu; Keșeru.

Didier Deschamps, coach of the French national team had this to say; 'I'd rather play balls that cut through: forward passes. I don't have a team that will keep the ball and wear down the opposition. Our strength lies with putting our foot down on the accelerator rather than working for a long period of time. You must not focus too early or play the game before it begins. You need to keep some energy and have some confidence. You need to have some butterflies because we haven't achieved anything yet. We need to get out there and do it, without looking at any permutations, without any pressure, without feeling fragile.' 

Anghel Iordanescu, coach of Romania, had this to say; 'I think France have some terrifically talented players, all with top sides in the Champions League and it is a side worth hundreds of millions of euros. That said, France do have some shortcomings at the back. I expect France to begin the match in an aggressive fashion. I'm sure my players are ready and determined to overcome these spells of pressure and domination from the opposition we are likely to face.' 

VERDICT

France are unbeaten in their last 10 games against Romania (W5 D5). However, four of their last five encounters have ended in draws. Romania's last victory against France was in April 1972, a friendly in Bucharest (2-0). However they did manage a 1-1 draw in their only previous game against France in Saint-Denis, a World Cup qualifier in September 2009.

It promises to be an entertaining start to the tournament, and with the French national team being blessed with an array of attacking talent, even though Romania are stingy at the back, Les Bleus would do just enough to kick start their campaign on a winning note in front of their fans on home soil. 

PREDICTION = France 2 - 1 Romania 

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