2023-10-14 14:30:46
Euro 2024 is already tomorrow! This Friday, October 13 against the Netherlands, Didier Deschamps’ men canceled their ticket for the final phase of the German tournament (June 14 – July 14). Eight months now separate them from the curtain-raising of this great continental rally. On this well-marked path there are already obligatory passages, turns to negotiate and points to refine.
In its group B, France thus has two more meetings in November. First against Gibraltar, in Nice on November 18, then in Greece on the 21st. Kylian Mbappé’s partners have a single objective: to rank among the top five in the qualifiers, as is currently the case, to then appear in the first hat (that of the seeded players), with Germany, automatically qualified, during the draw for the Euro, on December 2 at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg.
Objective, avoid the “chicken of death”
History, also, of optimizing their chances of inheriting a more lenient draw than that of 2020, which had sent it into a “pool of death” with Hungary, Portugal and neighboring Germany. If France had escaped unscathed, with a success and two draws, it was then eliminated by Switzerland in the round of 16 (3-3, 4 tab to 5).
Once the three opponents have been designated, it will be a matter of finalizing the base camp. Scouting has, however, already been carried out in advance with the greatest discretion by Philippe Brocherieux, the French team manager and Mohamed Sanhadji, the security officer.
In Germany, where environmental lobbies are very powerful, respect for the environment has been made a priority by the organizers. Depending on its group, a nation will therefore be assigned to one of three pre-established geographic zones: South, West and North. And his camp must necessarily be there so as not to have to resort to the plane for his travels.
Pre-empted base camps
A catalog of base camps was sent by UEFA on a first-click, first-served basis. The experienced Brocherieux very quickly posed two options per zone after visiting numerous sites. After the draw, Didier Deschamps and his president, Philippe Diallo, for whom this will be the first major competition with the A, should in turn go on site to validate the establishment supposed to guarantee the tranquility and well-being of the players. Last summer, Noël Le Graët’s successor also traveled to Australia to ensure the comfort of Hervé Renard’s daughters during the World Cup.
As a reminder, in Qatar, the Blues benefited from an ideal setting at the Al Messila resort and spa in Doha. The only downside was the complex and late organization of the family trip, at the players’ expense, experienced as a form of distrust from the federal administration towards the French team.
Four preparation matches, the list around May 15
On the field side, the world vice-champions will play four matches before the Euro. March 23, 2024 against Germany in Lyon, provided that the two countries are not in the same group, then in Marseille three days later against an opponent to be determined.
Two other preparatory meetings are planned for June, one in Bordeaux, the other in Metz. Here again the identity of the two nations will be known later. As for Didier Deschamps’ list, it will be revealed around May 15, just a few days before the 34th and final day of Ligue 1.
Will certain internationals over 23 (Mbappé, Griezmann, etc.) continue their fun at the Paris Olympics? Didier Deschamps and Thierry Henry, his Espoirs counterpart, planned to talk before the Blues left for Germany.
#French #team #qualification #Euro #hand #program #Blues