After all the hype, it’s *finally* nearly time.
Host nation France face Romania in Paris in Euro 2016’s first match. With a matter of hours to go until kick-off, here’s all you need to know about match-day one.
Where is it being played?
As is often the case in any major tournament, the first match takes place in the same stadium that will host the final. In this case, it’s the imaginatively named Stade de France, the 81,000-capacity stadium that hosted the 1998 World Cup Final – a match that saw the home side beat Brazil 3-0.
What time’s it on and where can I watch it?
The game is being broadcast on RTÉ 2, with coverage starting at 7pm. Kick-off is at scheduled for 8pm, but as viewers of all major international tournaments will be aware, this will only get going after the opening ceremony. Thankfully, Pitbull hasn’t got the gig this time around, with DJ David Guetta set to perform instead.
France are favourites, right?
Right. And one of the favourites for the entire tournament. France’s football sides have won the last two tournaments they’ve hosted and are widely expected to beat Romania in their opening match. The likes of Premier League stars Dimitri Payet, Olivier Giroud and Anthony Martial are joined in the French squad by Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba, meaning Didier Deschamps will have one of the strongest squads at the tournament.
Are Romania any good?
Their current crop might not boast the Gheorghe Hagis of yesteryear but they’re certainly no push overs. In fact, they went undefeated through their entire qualifying campaign (finishing second behind Northern Ireland) without losing – winning five and drawing five. Added to that, they also have the best defensive record of all the teams that have made it to the finals, conceding just two goals. Don’t expect a cricket score.
Team news
France
There’s no new major injury concerns for the French, who saw several players ruled out of the tournament before the 23-man squad was revealed. Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman is expected to be fit having struggled earlier in the week with a slight calf strain.
Manchester United’s Anthony Martial is expected to be benched for the opener, with Olivier Giroud of Arsenal set to start in attack.
Romania
The Romanians look to have a full squad to choose from. Sunderland goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon should start and ex-Tottenham defender Vlad Chiriches has declared himself “100 per cent ready” after missing the final warm-up game against Georgia.
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