Euro 2016 ready to kick off
Posted Jun 10, 2016 7:56 am.
Last Updated Jun 10, 2016 8:33 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Be prepared for a month of soccer chatter.
The 2016 UEFA European Championship kicks off Friday afternoon (1 p.m. Calgary time) with host nation France facing Romania.
This edition of the tournament features an expanded field, as Albania, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Slovakia and Wales make their Euro debuts.
“There’s more parity in world soccer,” explained soccer reporter Daniel Karell, who isn’t expecting lopsided scores. “It’s going to be interesting to see a team like Iceland, Northern Ireland or Wales and how they adjust to playing with the big boys in a European finals, because it’s something they’ve never obviously experienced.”
INTERVIEW AUDIO:
As the hosts, France will have plenty of pressure on them. Still, many pundits have picked them as favourites to hoist the Henri Delaunay Trophy.
“On paper and individually, they’re great,” Karell told 660 NEWS. “They’ve got a good coach. This team has played some tough games and they’re coming off a little bit of a high from the World Cup, where they had a better than expected appearance. Things are looking up for them.”
Following the Paris terror attacks last November, there’s been a great deal of emphasis on security since there are 10 venues across France hosting matches. Karell believes safety will be front of mind, but the players are focused on making the most of their time on the pitch.
“I think when you’re a professional athlete, you find a way to block everything out,” he said. “A lot of these guys play in England, France, or Spain and Germany. Those stadiums are targets as well. They manage to play and put together good performances.”
For those who want to follow the tournament through social media, there are special hashtags you can use to get in on the talk or see what others are saying:
To see the full Euro 2016 schedule, visit the official website.
