France feel the love as EURO pressure builds

UEFA EURO 2016 hosts France are well aware of the public expectation as Les Bleus attempt to become the first organising nation to win the competition since their French predecessors achieved the feat in 1984.

Older fans have happy memories of that Michel Platini-inspired success and also of current coach Didier Deschamps lifting the 1998 FIFA World Cup on home soil. With time ticking down to Friday evening's tournament opener against Romania, those supporters hope Deschamps' nuggets of wisdom will enable his young squad to cope with the pressure.

"Pressure must be avoided at all costs," Deschamps told L'Équipe newspaper. "Pressure is negative. What we need is adrenaline and excitement. The context and environment are favourable to us and shouldn't make us weaker. Some may be more sensitive to things than others, but on the pitch we must absolutely not be asking questions of ourselves."

The squad's average age is a mere 27 and only three French players have earned more than 50 caps. Captain Hugo Lloris is the most experienced with 75 appearances and he sets great store by the input of Deschamps, who also got his hands on the UEFA EURO 2000 trophy.

The Tottenham goalkeeper explained to UEFA.com: "What sets the manager apart is that he experienced it as a player and he's trying to pass on all his experience, all his knowledge, in order to prepare us as well as possible."

If Deschamps is anxious to reduce the pressure, forward André-Pierre Gignac embraces it and is convinced Les Bleus will not freeze on the big occasion: "There's always pressure," said Olivier Giroud's understudy. "Now we have to turn it into positive pressure because we're at home, and playing in front of our fans will certainly give us an even bigger boost. The France team is currently as popular as it's ever been, which is what we need for a successful EURO."

The feelgood factor and love of the fans were to the fore in Metz – where France saw off Scotland 3-0 in their last tune-up game to make it nine wins in ten friendlies this season – and prevailed too in Monday's open training session at Clairefontaine, the national side's training base near Paris. Indeed, Deschamps, heading into his sixth major tournament as player or coach, says he has never known such fervent public support before a competition.

The players are determined to repay this backing. As Laurent Koscielny put it: "We're going through a difficult time, whether it's in terms of politics or the recent floods, so it's important to be able to put a smile back on the faces of the people of France. We know we're capable of putting in big performances and going really far."

Paul Pogba spends a moment with fans©Getty Images

Koscielny's fellow defender Bacary Sagna has a message for the French supporters who will flock to the Stade de France on Friday as well as the tens of millions who will be roaring on Les Bleus in front of their televisions: "Thanks for your support. I say thanks because we need you behind us. We need to feel your support and we know this could make a difference – so thanks!"

Host performances:
1960: France (fourth)
1964: Spain (winners)
1968: Italy (winners)
1972: Belgium (third)
1976: Yugoslavia (fourth)
1980: Belgium (runners-up)
1984: France (winners)
1988: West Germany (semi-finals)
1992: Sweden (semi-finals)
1996: England (semi-finals)
2000: Belgium (group stage), Netherlands (semi-finals)
2004: Portugal (runners-up)
2008: Austria (group stage), Switzerland (group stage)
2012: Poland (group stage), Ukraine (group stage)