Euro 2016 Final: TV Schedule, Odds and Championship Predictions
Portugal and hosts France will contest the UEFA Euro 2016 final in Saint-Denis on Sunday after Les Bleus knocked world champions Germany out of the tournament on Thursday and Portugal did the same to Wales the day before.
Les Bleus, who have a rich history of success on home soil, entered their contest with Die Mannschaft well rested after a routine win over Iceland on Sunday, and they proved the more efficient side in their semi-final, winning 2-0 at Stade Velodrome in Marseille thanks to two goals from Antoine Griezmann.
Portugal beat Wales by the same score. But a truly great team have yet to test them, and they'll have their hands full with Les Bleus. Here's a look at the latest match odds, courtesy of Oddschecker:
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| 39-10 | 43-19 | 1-1 |
Date: Sunday, July 10
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis (near Paris)
Time: 8 p.m. BST/3 p.m. ET
TV Info: ITV 1, BBC 1 (UK), ESPN (U.S.)
Live Stream: ITV Hub, BBC iPlayer (UK), Watch ESPN (U.S.)
Preview
The two finalists have qualified without playing their best football so far, as France took advantage of Germany's multitude of injuries and suspensions and Portugal had a relatively easy path to the Stade de France.
Les Bleus were dominant in their 5-2 win over Iceland, but against Germany, they were second best for most of the first half until Bastian Schweinsteiger gave away a silly penalty.
That doesn't mean France aren't deserving of their spot in the final—in fact, it's remarkable how far this team have come since their disappointing showing at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Per Get French Football News, the transformation has been something else:
Portugal turned on the jets in the second half against Wales after a dull first half nearly put fans to sleep. Cristiano Ronaldo and his team-mates have flashed their remarkable talent at times during the tournament, but they've also played uninspired, bland football for long stretches.
Renato Sanches has been the team's top breakout performer, but Real Madrid defender Pepe has arguably been their most important piece. He missed the semi-final win over Wales but should be fit in time for Sunday's clash, per the Telegraph.
Per Goal's Chris Myson, Ronaldo told UEFA he feels his team will beat the hosts on Sunday:
"It is what we have dreamt of since the beginning.
I hope that [after the final] we will be smiling and that it will be tears of joy in the end. I have always said my dream was to win a trophy with Portugal. We are closer to doing it and I believe that we will win.
With a lot of work, humility and the spirit of self-sacrifice, which I have always shown in my career, these sorts of things are doable.
"
Les Bleus have the advantage of playing on home soil, however, and as they've shown throughout the tournament, that can have a huge impact. The fans have stood behind the team at every turn, and they even sang "La Marseillaise" during the win over Germany several times.
France are also remarkably healthy and have a deep squad. Manager Didier Deschamps felt comfortable keeping N'Golo Kante on the bench for the start of the match against Germany, and defender Samuel Umtiti, 22, was arguably the top performer on the pitch, despite appearing in just his second match for Les Bleus.
Portugal have searched for balance in midfield throughout the tournament, swapping Andre Gomes in and out of the squad, while France have built the side around their incredible strength in that area of the pitch. Even the German pair of Toni Kroos and Mesut Ozil couldn't find any real success against Les Bleus, and in all likelihood, Portugal won't either.
Out wide, Portugal should have the advantage, but like Germany, the team lack an in-the-box striker who can weigh on the defence. Ronaldo could fill that role, but his raw pace makes him more valuable in the open space.
In all likelihood, France will control the ball, and given Griezmann's superb form, Dimitri Payet's eye for goal and the side's advantage in depth and overall quality, Les Bleus should be able to finish the job.
Prediction: Portugal 1-3 France
