Euro 2020 – Can a Euro unlike any other crown the French team, a big favorite?

Almost a decade ago, on the eve of the final of the 2012 European Nations Championship, Michel Platini, then UEFA president, got up early and had an idea. We caricature a little, but hardly. Platoche had launched, in front of an audience of journalists gathered in Kiev, that he would welcome the 2020 edition, the year of UEFA’s 60th anniversary, to take place in the four corners of Europe. Which, too, was supposed to solve another problem: that of the cost of organizing such a competition, less and less supported by governments. Goguenard, as usual, Platini was delighted, more than his right-hand man at the time, a certain Gianni Infantino, who would have to manage to give life to the boss’s idea.

Nine years later, water has flowed under the bridges. Platini has been wiped off the map, Infantino has changed his creamery. And the Blues, because we have to come there, are the big favorites of the 2021 European Nations Championship, while they were just beginning the process of their reconstruction on the side of Ukraine. Reigning world champions, reinforced by Karim Benzema, Didier Deschamps’ men arrive with an XXL sign on their back. The same one the Spaniards wore in 2012, two years after their world title. The men of Vicente del Bosque had given reason to their lauders, with a final recital against Italy (4-0).

Nothing is ever easy at the Euro

The best team by far had won. But that did not mean she had wandered around. His half knife against Portugal is there to remind. Beware of those who will tell you that the Blues will fly over the competition, and crush everything, from the Allianz-Arena to Wembley. For a simple reason: we rarely crush a Euro. Never, even. We fly over it, sometimes. Michel Platini – and his 9 goals in 1984 – is the most successful example, individually speaking. Collectively, the Blues of 2000 are also a remarkable and noticed sample. But they had had to grit their teeth, until the last minute. And even a few extra seconds. In 2021, the density of the competition, even if it has decreased slightly since the transition to 24, remains high.

If the Blues, in their capacity as organizer of the last Euro, had arrogated – as everyone does – some advantages on the road to the final, this time they suffered a severe return of fortune with a first round of ‘an exceptional density: the 2014 world champion, Germany, the 2016 European champion, Portugal, and Hungary, of lesser caliber but who will challenge the DD gang at home and in a full stadium.

We will know, no doubt, fairly quickly if this new team, whose center of gravity has naturally shifted forward, keeps the DNA and qualities of its Russian predecessor. At this time and before the kick-off of an enticing Turkey – Italy, Europe is completely convinced. Rarely has a French team been so unanimous on the cusp of a major tournament. There are well 2002, but we know how it ended. All the more reason to be wary.

Behind the French is a cohort of contenders for the continental coronation, including Belgium, of course. Since 2014 and her return to the circle of nations that matter, she has moved forward with confident steps. Is this the right one for the disappointed St. Petersburg? Answer on July 11, from the Wembley side.

Moreover, we can tell you here and there that this Euro is disputed in the four corners of the continent, the fact remains that our island neighbors are carving out the lion’s share and that once again, they believe in it. hard as iron. “Football is coming home”, finally? Gareth Southgate’s England dreams of a coronation at Wembley, which they could attend up to six times (out of seven matches) if all goes well for them. Harry Kane and his partners know the way. Already taken. It remains to find the recipe.

Portugal already has the ingredients. With a team on paper more talented than that of 2016, but without Eder, it advances with its experience and some certainties which, once is not customary, are not met our German, Italian or Spanish neighbors, these the latter having, as if that were not enough, as much to do with the covid.

These three have been world champions in the 21st century but have lost their luster. In 2018, Russia was a nightmare for Germany, a disillusion for Spain and Italy, she did not even set foot there. These three nations are a huge question mark. The exclamation point is attached to the France team, which is expected to dot the i’s on July 11.