Thirty-three years after its first and only coronation, will the France Espoirs team finally win a second Euro?
The competition starts this Wednesday in Hungary and Slovenia with a new format in two stages due to the health crisis.
First a group phase until March 31 then the final phase (quarterfinals, semi-finals and finals) from May 31 to June 6.
"We adapt to what happened, to the decisions that have been taken," said coach Syvain Ripoll.
It's not ideal for anyone, we like having time to properly prepare the team, but we adapt.
You have to be focused for this first phase and not think about the rest.
You should not have any ignition delay, you have to be on the cleat right away.
"
The Espoirs continue their work for the EURO which begins tomorrow against Denmark đ©đ° (9:00 p.m. on France 4) đ pic.twitter.com/QG8NRusWbW
- French team ââ (@equipedefrance) March 24, 2021
After finishing in first place in group 2 of the qualifiers with 27 points and a record of 9 wins for 1 defeat in Switzerland (32 goals scored, 10 goals conceded), the French team is approaching this Euro with a lot of appetite.
Reversed in Group C, the Habs will face Denmark this Thursday (9 p.m.) and Russia (Sunday March 28, 9 p.m.) in Szombathely, before challenging Iceland (Wednesday March 31, 6 p.m.) in Györ.
The first two of the group will advance to the quarter-finals which will take place from May 31, 2021.
Les Bleuets will play Székesfehérvår if they finish first in Group C or Budapest if they finish second.
âWith the generation we have, we set ourselves a very high bar.
Not to go at least to the semi-finals, it would be a failure, and I know that with this team we can do something very big, âannounces the captain, MattĂ©o Guendouzi.
A truly hopeful team
In his list of 23, coach Sylvain Ripoll called on two players already selected with the France A team, Eduardo Camavinga (4 caps) and Jonathan Ikone (4 caps).
The first named has not yet lost all hope of playing the Euro with the A, which starts on June 11.
The team looks very good with the goalkeepers Alban Lafont (Nantes) and Illan Meslier, author of a very good season with the Leeds (Premier League) of Marcelo Bielsa.
In defense, Jules Koundé (Sevilla FC), who is one of the best central in Spain, will be accompanied by former Stéphanois Wesley Fofana, revelation of the season in Leicester City (3rd in the Premier League) and Benoßt Badiashile, effective with the 'AS Monaco.
PSG right-back Colin Dagba is also part of the team.
In the middle, in addition to Camavinga and Guendouzi, the Bleuets can count on Romain Faivre, excellent with Brest, Marseillais Boubacar Kamara, Monegasque Aurélien Tchouameni and Lille Boubakary Soumaré.
The attack is also very well supplied with the two players in L1 form, the Nantes player Randal Kolo Muani, who had made miseries (a goal and an assist) in the defense of PSG on March 14, and the Lorientais Armand Laurienté, author last Sunday of an exceptional free kick of 37m.
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After the Euro, the Habs will meet in Tokyo next August to participate in the Olympic Games.
The men's football tournament, which includes 16 teams, is reserved for the national teams of the Espoirs (under 23), namely players born on or after January 1, 1997. But three players over 23 in each team are allowed. to take part in the competition.
"This is not the time to talk about the Olympic Games, I am focused on the Euro," says Sylvain Ripoll.
Although we had to think about it in terms of organization and logistics, my head is not there.
"