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Led by star player Kylian Mbappe, the French national team is one of the favorites to win the title and they are starting to try to put aside the disappointments in recent years on the European continent and try to win a third title in today’s match against Austrian opponents in the fourth group match against Dusseldorf. The group also includes the Netherlands and Poland. The French team reached the finals in the first two World Cups, winning the championship in the 2018 World Cup in Russia by beating Croatia 4-2 and finishing second to France in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Argentina also won the 2021 European Nations League on penalties, but the Stags’ last title since Didier Deschamps took over the team in the summer of 2012 remains elusive. The Roosters’ history dates back to 2000, when Deschamps served as captain. France lost the 2016 final on home soil to Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo on an extra-time goal, then led Switzerland 3-1 before squandering a win that was within reach until the very last minute. The last eight finals, held in multiple European countries, were tied 3-3 with a quarter of an hour left in the match, then won the penalty shootout, but Mbappe missed the penalty. Mbappe will be looking to make up for that by leading the national team to win the title for the third time, and first since 2000, and equal the record held by Spain and Germany. The French national team relies on experienced players, especially in attack, which, in addition to Mbappe, is led by Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann and veteran Olivier Giroud, the latter being France’s all-time leading scorer with 57 goals in 133 games, as well as Paris Saint-Germain’s speedy winger Ousmane Dembélé.
On the other hand, the Austrian national team, nominated as the dark horse of this tournament, under the leadership of experienced coach Ralf Rangnick, still hopes to surprise despite the absence of iconic captain David Alaba due to the injury he suffered in the cruciate ligament against Real Madrid last December.
Mbappé: Let’s write history
“I’m looking forward to the start of the game,” Mbappe said in an interview with German Bild. “Of course, I want to leave my mark on the field during the European Cup. We came to Germany to write history.”
“We have a very strong team. We come to Germany with big ambitions but also with humility,” he continued. France did not do much to convince in their preparations for the tournament, notably falling into the trap of a goalless draw with Canada, but are always on time for the big tournaments and Deschamps will no doubt be looking to add the only title he has missed to his record as a coach.
Emre Can: The 81st minute goal is a crazy story
Midfielder Emre Jahn was called up to the Germany squad at the last minute as he looks to turn his disappointment from losing the UEFA Champions League final to Borussia Dortmund into the senior stage of the continental tournament hosted by Germany.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann summoned Dejan to replace Aleksandar Pavlovic. Djan revealed he thought his chances of being involved were “zero”. He said: “I was at home in Dortmund with my wife when I got the call from Julian.”
Dejan played his 44th match for Germany in the 5-1 win over Scotland on the opening night and scored the final goal after coming off the bench. “It’s a crazy story to be able to score in the 81st minute,” he said. “I’m very grateful and honored to represent my country in such an important game.”
Belgium’s easy game against Slovakia
In Group E, Belgium will face Slovakia in Frankfurt in an easy tie, at least on paper, given Belgium’s experience at major tournaments. The group consists of Romania and Ukraine.
Only a few elements of the Belgian national team’s golden generation remain, most notably retired playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, Red Devils’ all-time top scorer, Romelu Lukaku, defensive midfielder Axel Witsel and veteran defender Jan Vertonghen. Winger Eden Hazard failed to call up Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after the last World Cup final. German-Italian coach Domenico Tedesco is relying on some young faces who have shined in their club teams, such as Manchester City’s English winger Jeremy Doku, RB Leipzig’s Luis Obinda, Atalanta’s Charles de Kotlar, Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard and Amadou Onana from Everton.
Ukraine’s national mission towards Romania
Romania and Ukraine, who are in the same group, will face off in Munich in a match that goes beyond the latter’s sporting framework, while the Romanian army has been fighting fiercely since February 2022 after the Russian invasion. Ukraine beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-1 in the semifinals, and Iceland retained its place in the final of the European play-offs with the same score, relying on a number of elements, most notably Real Madrid goalkeeper Andrei Lunin, the Spanish top scorer from Girona. Artem Dubvik and his attacking partner Roman Yaremchuk from Valencia, Spain, and Chelsea’s fast winger Mikhailo Modric.
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