France wary of England as Group D battles start
Source: Agencies |
June 11, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
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FRANCE has a long unbeaten record to protect as it seeks to confirm its renaissance under coach Laurent Blanc by winning Group D to sweep into the quarterfinals at Euro 2012.
But Blanc knows his team faces a familiar obstacle in old foe England, however its opponent may have been recast by new manager Roy Hodgson, and has wisely been cautious ahead of their group-opening clash in Donetsk today.
It is a fixture to remind him it is much too early for the cockerels to crow before his team faces England and unpredictable co-host Ukraine plus durable Sweden in a tricky group.
Bitter memories of France's discordant early exit from the 2010 World Cup finals may serve Blanc well. The Le Bleus, with two titles, trail only three-time winner Germany in the tournament's history.
Under 1998 World Cup winner Blanc, France is on an unbeaten run of 21 games, including 15 wins. But the coach knows and understands English football.
"They are not at full strength, but what concerns me is that England will play in a certain style. We are going to have to be extremely strong physically."
Despite being without striker Wayne Rooney for its first two games because of suspension, England will look to progress.
Ukraine is coached by former Soviet Union winger Oleg Blokhin and is expected to struggle in its opener against Sweden despite home advantage in Kiev.
"I used to be an unpredictable player and I'm an equally unpredictable coach," said Blokhin, declining to reveal if he will rely on captain Andriy Shevchenko to inspire the team.
Sweden, under Erik Hamren, will similarly hope for inspiration from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
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