Euro 2016 Preview: Portugal v France - Host nation aiming for glory

France

Didier Deschamps has said that his side will do everything to win when they face Portugal in Euro 2016 Final.

Didier Deschamps, who captained France to both World Cup and European triumphs, shared some of his sports psychology secrets on Saturday on the eve of his French side’s Euro 2016 final against Portugal.

The France coach wore the skipper’s armband when the hosts lifted the 1998 World Cup and again when France claimed the European title two years later in Rotterdam.

Deschamps: “It's always Messi & Ronaldo. If Griezmann can be among the candidates, that's great.” #PORFRA #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/v3txcnEM4n
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) July 9, 2016

Asked if a final should be treated as a unique moment or as a routine match, he said: “When you play sports as a hobby, it’s for pleasure and fun. When you are in high-level sports and competition, you want to win, there is nothing better than winning. You must accept when that’s not the case, but before you accept it you must do everything to succeed. Football is not an exact science, sometimes it’s the little things that count, but when you have the feeling you have done everything you could and given your all, at least you have no regrets. We are in this state of mind every day,”

Captain Hugo Lloris said the team has evolved over the course of the tournament.

“Tomorrow we have this chance to make history within French football. It’s a unique opportunity in a player’s career. We need to make most of that. Our minds really will guide us tomorrow in our efforts, and we’ll try and give 100 percent and have no regrets when we step off at the end of the match.”

Defender Bacary Sagna added they would keep an eye on Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who is in the running for the Ballon d’Or after exceptional performances with both Real Madrid in the Champions League and his national team.

“I don’t have to praise Cristiano Ronaldo, everybody knows him and knows he’s up there. He’s one of the best players in the world — if not the best — he has great abilities and he has worked very hard to get there. As a defender, I’ll try to defend as I would with anybody else, leave as little space as possible and be as close as possible to intervene, while trying to anticipate. He clearly is an amazing player, but I play against good players every weekend; so it doesn’t scare me,” Sagna said.

Cristiano Ronaldo…

Most EURO finals appearances: 20
Most EURO final tournaments scored in: 4#PORFRA #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/V8wP3WevvO
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) July 9, 2016