Host nation France will give everything they have in order to get a win against Romania in the opening match of Euro 2016 on Friday in Paris. They are the favourites to win the tournament and a flying start would surely give them even more confidence for the upcoming matches. France have won their last four international matches and they have a good track record when it comes to hosting final tournaments as they won Euro 1984 and the 1998 World Cup on home soil.
Romania have qualified to the tournament after finishing second in their group, one point behind Northern Ireland. They have remained unbeaten throughout the qualification campaign, but five wins were accompanied by five draws. The Romanians had the toughest defence in the qualifying campaign, with just two goals conceded in ten matches. Their declared aim is to make the knockout stages, but a defeat in the opening match would surely put them under pressure. "France are clearly superior to us. Didier Deschamps has class players available, who play in the Champions League and Europa League. Mine play in Turkey, Bulgaria, Israel and Qatar. But that does not mean that we have surrendered. We all have the same goal - to move groups," Romania head coach Anghel Iordanescu said.
France had their own problems before the tournament, with solid players like Lassana Diarra, Mathieu Debuchy, Mamadou Sakho, Raphael Varane and Jeremy Mathieu out of the squad through injury. Kingsley Coman was also hit by a calf injury but he should be able to make the substitutes' bench. Romania have not beaten France in the last 10 matches, but they were able to get draws in four of the last five direct encounters. The last victory for Romania against France was all the way back in 1972 in a friendly match. The two teams have met three times at the European Championship, with France winning 1-0 in 1996 before a 0-0 draw eight years ago.
Probable line-ups:
France: Lloris - Sagna, Koscielny, Rami, Evra - Pogba, Kante, Matuidi - Griezmann, Giroud, Payet
Romania: Tatarusanu - Sapunaru, Chiriches, Grigore, Rat - Pintilii, Hoban - Popa, Stanciu, Stancu - Andone
My prediction: France to win 2-0.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
France win - 1.3 Draw - 5.5 Romania win - 13.0
nik92 7 years ago
All congratulations to qualify for the Euro for Romania, but I can not imagine a different result from the victory of the French tonight. At the opening of the championship they will simply fly. They playing in front of their fans and they are favorites to win the championship, so in my opinion it will be : 1-1 and...
All congratulations to qualify for the Euro for Romania, but I can not imagine a different result from the victory of the French tonight. At the opening of the championship they will simply fly. They playing in front of their fans and they are favorites to win the championship, so in my opinion it will be : 1-1 and over 2.5 goals, it's good combination for betting.
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Milaneli
7 years ago
France, as a favorite to win it all in opening match versus Romania who is not that strong. We should expect a lot of goals, more then 2-0 in my opinion. I just cant see anyone from Romania stopping this insane midfield that France has. And since it is opening match of Euro 2016, they will probably look into a ways to demolish...
France, as a favorite to win it all in opening match versus Romania who is not that strong. We should expect a lot of goals, more then 2-0 in my opinion. I just cant see anyone from Romania stopping this insane midfield that France has. And since it is opening match of Euro 2016, they will probably look into a ways to demolish their opponent and show everyone why are they number one favorites.
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mannixx
7 years ago
I think France team are maybe the favorites for the whole tournement not only this game but i think Romanians could give good resistance today, they have some great young players and few experianced. Players like Nicolae Stanciu ,Denis Albec,Florin Andone, gabriel torje could be real treat to French goal and im cheering...
I think France team are maybe the favorites for the whole tournement not only this game but i think Romanians could give good resistance today, they have some great young players and few experianced. Players like Nicolae Stanciu ,Denis Albec,Florin Andone, gabriel torje could be real treat to French goal and im cheering for them today.
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Cobra69 7 years ago
France is the first favourite of EURO, so I expect easy victory for the start, Romania don't have enough quality in their team, every player of France is better than the best player of Romania, they only must show that on the field, they will be very motivated because they are playing on homeground... Your prediction is...
France is the first favourite of EURO, so I expect easy victory for the start, Romania don't have enough quality in their team, every player of France is better than the best player of Romania, they only must show that on the field, they will be very motivated because they are playing on homeground... Your prediction is very good, in my opinion 2-0 or 3-0 will be result, but we will see..
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dzeps307
7 years ago
In The opening match in Paris on Friday play France vs Romania . I expect perfect game , why , because what i love France, they have great team, I think it will be very easy win for france , and the will get 3 points , they play in front of their fans and they must win first match.
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