History favours France but Portugal can make history

The final of Euro 2016 comes up on Sunday at the Stade de France with France, as hosts, contesting the final against an unfancied Portugal side.

History favours the home team – having won two of their three football tournaments on home soil – the Euros in 1984 and the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

They have won other trophies and titles – the 2000 Euros and the Olympic gold medal in the football event of the 1984 Olympic Games.

But most interesting of the history that backs Les Bleus is the fact that they have won the Euros in 16-year gaps; 1984 – 2000 – 2016?

France are also unbeaten in their last 18 major finals matches on home soil, winning 16 and drawing two. So, they have all the aces {presumably] and some might be thinking that just showing up at the Stade de France guarantees a victory.

But in Portugal, they have an opponent that has not really played well but have stuck at it and now they are in a major final, driven on ostensibly by the big ego of their biggest star, Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese led by the wily Fernando Santos know that they do not have to play at all well to win matches as has been characterised through their run to the final match. They did not win a match in 90 minutes until the 2-0 win over Wales in the semi-final and have scored just the eight goals in the tournament.

Former national team forward, Thierry Henry, has admonished the French team on the fact that Portugal would not mind turning the final into an ugly spectacle.

“Portugal can make the game ugly – they know how to play like that,” Henry told the BBC.

The Portuguese have 2004 at the back of their minds when an unfancied Greece side beat them 1-0 at home. They will be hoping to mete out the same medicine to the hosts.

Even though France will start as overwhelming favourites, Portugal possess classy players that can make a difference. The game kicks off at 8pm and the centre referee will be Mark Clattenburg.

Will it be a continuation of French history on home turf or will Ronaldo cement his legacy as Portugal’s finest of all generations?

Duels to watch

Samuel Umtiti and Laurent Koscielny would have to work on their movement, as they will be up against the unorthodox forwards of Nani and Ronaldo. The Portuguese front men will interchange roles and berths throughout the 90 minutes and are very good shooters from distance.

Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi will have to contend with Portugal’s new kid on the block, Renato Sanches, who is not shy in carrying the ball a distance with William Carvalho adding muscle in front of the back four.

Managers’ Quotes

Portugal

“I always said France are one of the favourites, they’re playing at home and are naturally the favourites but I believe we can win the final. There’s a lot of pressure being the home side. It’s normal. They’re at home but are experienced.” – Fernando Santos.

France

“They never give up and that’s something clearly I’m very fond of. I don’t know, I must have been born like that. When it’s just sport for fun, it’s about enjoying yourself, but at top-level sport winning is what matters. There’s nothing better than winning.” – Didier Deschamps.