Happy Euro 2016 day everyone!
It’s here, it’s finally here. After what seemed like eons of waiting for more football, we’re about to enjoy wall to wall football thanks to the Euros.
In the lead up to the tournament, the The JOE writing team has been having a go at predicting who will win Euro 2016, and where we think all the Home Nations will land.
Here’s our next batch of predictions – How we think the tournament opener France vs. Romania will end up.
How do you think the Euro 2016 opener will go? Make sure you Let us know at [email protected], or drop us a message on Facebook, so we can figure who the true king of Euro 2016 is – JOE vs. Readers.
First things first – Will anything interesting happen during this game?
Si Lloyd – @SmnLlyd5
Nah. Not in this one. France will get the usual ‘unconvincing’ win that most host nations seem to get in an opening game of a tournament.
Kevin Beirne – @KevBeirne
Unless Karim Benzema shows up halfway through the match, WWE-style, I expect this to be a pretty dire game that sucks all the momentum out of the tournament before it really starts. Still, a dodgy refereeing decision that benefits the hosts is pretty much nailed on.
Carl Anka – @Ankaman616
I doubt it. Outside the 2014 World Cup, opening games to football tournaments tend to be a bit staid. Outside of Karim Benzema tweeting he’s watching the game with Rihanna, this should be a pretty straightforward evening. The main shenanigans will occur with the fans enjoying pints at home.
Tom Victor – @tomvictor
Now that I’ve learned Pitbull is doing the official song for the Copa America and not the Euros, I’m going to say no.
Who you reckon is grabbing Man of the Match?
Paul Pogba. He’ll turn up with a fancy new haircut, score a 30-yard pile-driver and be linked with a £431m move to Real Madrid the next day. – Si
Oliver Giroud. Giroud is going to fill his boots for France in the Group Stages. Is it wrong to call him a flat-track bully? Probably. I see him grabbing a brace here. – Carl
Dimitri Payet. I just don’t think you understand. – Tom
Since everyone else has taken the good ones, I’m going to go for Anthony Martial. He will set up both of Olivier Giroud’s goals and Manchester United fans will cream themselves on Twitter. – Kevin
And who’s grabbing Dick of the Day?
Oliver Giroud. Giroud is going to fill his boots for France in the Group Stages. Is it wrong to call him a flat-track bully? Probably. I see him grabbing a brace here and completely squander many more chances. – Carl
Everyone will be mad at the ref for some dodgy calls, insisting it’s another example of home-team favouritism before promptly forgetting all about it by the time England draw with Russia on Saturday night. – Kevin
Whichever of Adil Rami and Eliaquim Mangala starts with Laurent Koscielny. They’ll concede a penalty or get sent off, but France will still win. – Tom
The entire Romanian team. Because despite everyone subconsciously wanting/expecting them to turn out with the same peroxide blond hairdos that their 1998 World Cup forefathers had, they won’t. – Si
Finally, what do you reckon the final score will be?
2-0 France. Pogba’s 30-yard rocket and a late tap in for Olivier Giroud to make the points safe. – Si
2-1. Morgan Schneiderlin to come off the bench and score a scrappy winner. – Tom
3-1 France with an Olly Giroud brace. – Carl
3-0 to France. Giroud with two late goals after one of the French centre-backs scores from a set piece. – Kevin
