The winner of this tie will set up a semi-final with either Germany or Italy in Marseille.
France
Match Preview: France vs Romania Euro 2016
Didier Deschamps’ men are favorites for the tournament and will be looking to get off to a good start against a plucky Tricolori team managed by legend Anghel Iordanescu.
Greatest Games of The European Championships: France 3 Portugal 2, 1984
The 1984 European Championship in France will be remembered most for one match and in particular, the performances of one man. In the next installment of The Panenka’s series we are taken to another tournament held in France where Les Blues and ‘carre magique’ reigned superior.
In one of the most exciting matches of the competition’s history, a France team inspired by Michel Platini fought their way to the final via extra time against Portugal in this fondly remembered and nail-biting tie.
Greatest Games of the European Championships: France 4 Yugoslavia 5, 1960
Like Euro 2016 the inaugural European Championships were held in France. In the next installment of The Panenka’s ‘Greatest Games of The European Championships’ we go all the way back to the first ever tournament in 1960.
There were goals galore in this nine goal thriller as it served up a sign of things to come for the tournament which would be held every four years thereafter. In the city of love Paris hosted one of the best matches in the history of European football. Continue reading
Things You Didn’t Know About Group A’s Coaches
In a new series of posts The Panenka brings you a treasure trove of pub knowledge to use as ammo down the local boozer during the dullest of group games this Euro 2016.
In no particular order, first up is Group A, containing France, Romania, Albania and Switzerland.
Euro 2016 Team Preview: France
As host nation France will be under immense pressure to put on a show. After winning the tournament back in 2000 and losing in the World Cup final to Italy on penalties in 2006, France have been relative sleeping giants on the international stage after some disappointing performances in recent years. Now, Deschamps’ men look to have blooded a squad of new talent including Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann, Hugo Lloris, Raphael Varane and N’Golo Kante making them tournament favorites.
Groups and Fixtures
Group A
Albania
France
Romania
Switzerland
Friday, June 10: France v Romania (20:00, Stade de France, Paris)
Saturday, June 11: Albania v Switzerland (14:00, Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens)
Wednesday, June 15: Romania v Switzerland (17:00, Parc des Princes, Paris)
Wednesday, June 15: France v Albania (20:00, Stade Velodrome, Marseille)
Sunday, June 19: Romania v Albania (20:00, Stade de Lyon)
Sunday, June 19: Switzerland v France (20:00, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille
Group B
England
Russia
Slovakia
Wales
Saturday, June 11: Wales v Slovakia (17:00, Stade de Bordeaux)
Saturday, June 11: England v Russia (20:00, Stade Velodrome, Marseille)
Wednesday, June 15: Russia v Slovakia (14:00, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)
Thursday, June 16: England v Wales (14:00, Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens)
Monday, June 20: Russia v Wales (20:00, Stadium de Toulouse)
Monday, June 20: Slovakia v England (20:00, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, St Etienne
Group C
Germany
Northern Ireland
Poland
Ukraine
Sunday, June 12: Poland v Northern Ireland (17:00, Stade de Nice)
Sunday, June 12: Germany v Ukraine (20:00, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)
Thursday, June 16: Ukraine v Northern Ireland (17:00, Stade de Lyon)
Thursday, June 16: Germany v Poland (20:00, Stade de France, Paris)
Tuesday, June 21: Ukraine v Poland (17:00, Stade Velodrome, Marseille)
Tuesday, June 21: Northern Ireland v Germany (17:00, Parc des Princes, Paris)
Group D
Croatia
Czech Rep
Spain
Turkey
Sunday, June 12: Turkey v Croatia (14:00, Parc des Princes, Paris)
Monday, June 13: Spain v Czech Republic (14:00, Stadium de Toulouse)
Friday, June 17: Czech Republic v Croatia (17:00, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, St Etienne)
Friday, June 17: Spain v Turkey (20:00, Stade de Nice)
Tuesday, June 21: Czech Republic v Turkey (20:00, Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens)
Tuesday, June 21: Croatia v Spain (20:00, Stade de Bordeaux)
Group E
Belgium
Italy
Rep Ireland
Sweden
Monday, June 13: Republic of Ireland v Sweden (17:00, Stade de France, Paris)
Monday, June 13: Belgium v Italy (20:00, Stade de Lyon)
Friday, June 17: Italy v Sweden (14:00, Stadium de Toulouse)
Saturday, June 18: Belgium v Republic of Ireland (14:00, Stade de Bordeaux)
Wednesday, June 22: Italy v Republic of Ireland (20:00, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)
Wednesday, June 22: Sweden v Belgium (20:00, Stade de Nice)
Group F
Austria
Hungary
Iceland
Portugal
Tuesday, June 14: Austria v Hungary (17:00, Stade de Bordeaux)
Tuesday, June 14: Portugal v Iceland (20:00, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, St Etienne)
Saturday, June 18: Iceland v Hungary (17:00, Stade Velodrome, Marseille)
Saturday, June 18: Portugal v Austria (20:00, Parc des Princes, Paris)
Wednesday, June 22: Iceland v Austria (17:00, Stade de France)
Wednesday, June 22: Hungary v Portugal (17:00, Stade de Lyon)
The Knock-Out Stages
The Last 16
Match 1: Runner-up Group A v Runner-up C (14:00, June 25, St-Etienne)
Match 2: Winner D v Third-place B/E/F (20:00, June 25, Lens)
Match 3: Winner B v Third-place A/C/D (17:00, June 25, Paris)
Match 4: Winner F v Runner-up E (20:00, June 26, Toulouse)
Match 5: Winner C v Third-place A/B/F (17:00, June 26, Lille)
Match 6: Winner A v Third-place C/D/E (14:00, June 26, Lyon)
Match 7: Winner E v Runner-up D (17:00, June 27, St-Denis)
Match 8: Runner-up B v Runner-up F (20:00, June 27, Nice)
The Quarter-Finals
Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 2 (20:00, June 30, Marseille)
Winner Match 3 v Winner Match 4 (2000, July 1, Lille)
Winner Match 5 v Winner Match 6 (20:00, July 2, Bordeaux
Winner Match 7 v Winner Match 8 (2000, July 3, St-Denis
The Semi-Finals
Winner QF1 v Winner QF2 (20:00, July 6, Lyon)
Winner QF3 v Winner QF4 (20:00, July 7, Marseille)
The Final
Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 (20:00, July 10, St-Denis)
