Wales have arrived back at their training base after securing their place in the semi-finals of Euro 2016.
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While Portugal captain Ronaldo has been setting the world alight for the best part of a decade, it’s 25-year-old Griezmann who has dominated so far at Euro 2016.
It is a match Fernando Santos’ side approach boosted by Pepe’s return in defence, having overcome a thigh complaint that ruled him out of the semifinal victory against Wales.
“I feel great”, he said on the eve of the final”. Having been voted the World-Player-of-the-Year three times, Ronaldo needs this win to consolidate his position among his peers of the modern era. “I want to see people smiling tomorrow night”, Sagna said.
“We want to write our names down in history and we believe that we can play well”.
The Portuguese star was on cusp of winning Euro in 2004 but unfortunately they lost to Greece in the final.
And for a Portugal preview, go to Richard Jolly, writing: “They have remodelled the midfield, bringing in William Carvalho and Renato Sanches, even if it is hard to believe neither started the tournament in the team”. The players know they’re privileged to be playing the UEFA EURO 2016 final at home in Paris.
“It’s the players’ attributes, first and foremost and also the mindset”, Deschamps said when told of the goalkeeper’s comments. I use it to my advantage, the fact I’ve won major competitions as a player; that helps me, but I never talk about the past.
Didier Deschamps will be looking to guide France to more glory on Sunday.
“As for the Ballon d’Or, I don’t think there is anything at stake”, he said.
[My win as a player in 2000] belongs to the past.
There is a sense that, going into Sunday’s final, there has been a changing of the guard at the top of European football.
Security forces have three key venues to protect: The Stade de France stadium hosting the final – outside of which three suicide bombers blew themselves up past year, the 92,000-capacity fan zone in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, and the Champs-Elysees boulevard, which will likely be swamped with fans after the match.
But there will be no victory parade if France win, the officials warned.
France would do well not to underestimate the Seleção, though, who boast the likes of Ronaldo, Nani and Pepe in their lineup and will be hungry for success. “Two will be playing for a prize and the third team, the referees, will try to do their best”. “It’s recognition of his work and his quality as a professional referee”.
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France have taken the mantle of dream crushers at this tournament, from Dimitri Payet’s late victor against Romania to their demolition of Iceland, which ended that tiny nation’s Cinderella story, and they will be looking to put Portugal’s ambition of finally claiming a major trophy to the sword on Sunday.
