France Open Euro 2016 on a Mission to Lift National Gloom

Local Editor

Didier Deschamps' exciting France team start the Euro 2016 finals against Romania Friday with the country grappling with strike chaos but among the favorites to win the trophy.

Under a state of emergency since the November 13 Paris attacks and with the government scrambling to end the disruption of rail travel and garbage collection, the nation is counting on the team to repeat the feats of the French sides that won Euro 84 and the 1998 World Cup on home soil.

World Cup holders Germany, defending champions Spain and England's wealthy young stars are all out to block Les Bleus however.

French coach Deschamps lifted the World Cup as captain 18 years ago and has assembled a young, attacking side including Paul Pogba, one of Europe's most wanted players.

"If you want to go far in the competition clearly you need to have great attacking potential," said Deschamps ahead of the Group A game which kicks off at the Stade de France at 1900 GMT.

"I picked these players. I know their qualities, there are players with different characteristics, we've been able to score a lot of goals and create a lot of problems for the opponents."

Despite attempts by Deschamps and France captain Hugo Lloris to dampen expectations, Romania coach Anghel Iordanescu put France among the front-runners.

"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," said Iordanescu.

"Given the ability of their players I think France are one of the favorites for this tournament."

The biggest star on show at the tournament, three-time World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo, touched down in France Thursday as Portugal became the final team to arrive.

Fresh from scoring the winning penalty as Real Madrid won the Champions League two weeks ago, Ronaldo dispelled doubts over his fitness with two goals in a 45-minute cameo as the Portuguese thrashed Estonia 7-0 in their final warm-up friendly Wednesday.

After France and Romania open proceedings, the newly expanded 24-team tournament kicks into gear with six games on a star-studded weekend.

England's prolific new strike partnership of Premier League top-scorer Harry Kane and Leicester City title-winning hero Jamie Vardy will hope to outgun Russia in Marseille Saturday.

Also in England's group, Real Madrid's Gareth Bale will headline Wales' opener in their first appearance in a major championship since the 1958 World Cup.

The play Slovakia, also making their first appearance at the finals.

On Sunday, Germany open their campaign against Ukraine, and Bayern Munich's Polish striker Robert Lewandowski will aim to spoil Northern Ireland's Euros debut.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team