Euro 2016: France, singing the Blues?
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Joseph PearsonThe 2016 UEFA European Football Championships are underway in France. With the competition extended to 24 teams, Euro 2016 promises a longer tournament, with several sides making their grand debut. Cafébabel gives you a run down of a few of the national sides, covering the general mood, some quick predictions and even current fashion trends. This time, we honour the hosts. Allez les bleus.
Setting the scene
An avalanche of injuries, David Guetta and that good old debate about national identity. The French team has decided to take on the Euro with an age old adage: it's only by overcoming our greatest flaws that we achieve our greatest triumphs. If les Bleus want to find their happy ending, they're going to have to work through the soap opera that has been written by the French football federation ever since they selected Didier Deschamps as manager. France is now a team of good little boys; all of the troublemakers have been dragged firmly from the back of the bus. But will they be singing the black-blanc-beur anew?
Will it all end in tears?
After a mixed performance in the group stages, the Blues will unwind. After seeing off Sweden before beating back Austria in the quarterfinals, it's going to be Germany...
How are they passing the time?
Currently enjoying the château de Clairefontaine, (there base camp is situated in les Yvelines), the French players won't be playing FIFA 16, but rather at cards. A round or two of Bridge? More likely it'll be "Arsehole".
Star player
A pretty face, a good education, a bright future, a popular club (Atlético Madrid) and goals that get more beautiful with each passing day. Far from the glamour of the silver screen, Antoine "Grizou" or "Grizi" Griezmann is in the process of writing the kind of story the French can't get enough of, about a simple guy with a simple style. What could go wrong with someone who drives a VW Passat?
President Griezmann.
The heads of the pack
Hover over the players' heads to discover the latest haircare trends.
The Big Debate
It's common knowledge that France isn't so fond of its national team. At least, not as much as it needs to be. This year, the big debate concerned alledged racism, including of manager Didier Deschamps "who has given in to France's racist side" according to star striker Karim Benzema, not reselected for this year's side. Every big tournament that the Blues take part in sparks the same debates: national identity, patriotic symbols, the origin of the players...
What you’ll hear about France
"Well then, they're off the bus this time!" That's in reference to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where several players – dubbed "Knysna's mutineers" – refused to get off their tour bus to go and train.
20 years of the Euros
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The 2016 UEFA European Football Championships are underway in France. With the competition extended to 24 teams, Euro 2016 promises a longer tournament, with several sides making their grand debut. Cafébabel gives you a run down of a few of the national sides, covering the general mood, some quick predictions and even current fashion trends.
Translated from L'Euro 2016 en série : la France, ce rêve bleu