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Could Euro 2016 Be to France What Euro 2008 Was to Spain?
Published: June 8, 2016
The players take no notice of it any more. It may stand as a tribute to the country's greatest sporting triumph, but its pertinence has somewhat waned given that 18 years have now passed since it was lifted by Les Blues. It is, in essence, an historical artefact.
Indeed, the modern history of French football can be fragmented into two contrasting parts. Around the turn of the millennium the country's national team were the predominant force in the international game, sampling glory at the 2000 UEFA European Championship as well as the FIFA World Cup two years previously.
The decade that followed, however, was less than glorious. The sight of Patrice Evra and his team-mates sulking on a South African bus certainly wasn't a triumphant one.
France could be set for a revival in 2016, though. The team Didier Deschamps has picked to play at this summer's European Championship appears to be the country's strongest in a generation; since that giant World Cup trophy was erected at Clairefontaine. They are the bookmakers' favourites and champions-elect for many.
But even if France win the whole thing the greatest parallel won't be drawn with the French team of old—the one that won everything over a dominant two-year stint. Instead the best comparison would be plotted with the Spain team they would be snatching the European Championship trophy from.
As things stand, France come into this tournament with something of a toxic reputation. They have grossly underachieved in recent major tournaments, failing to make it past the quarter-final stage since the 2006 World Cup. Their Euros record is even worse, last making it past that round when they won the competition back in 2000.
Spain were once that tea...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football
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