Euro 2016 Final Preview: The culmination of a great tournament. 

Tonight we come to the end of Euro 2016 a tournament that I have throughly enjoyed watching and writing some previews on. We now reach the final between Portugal and host nation France, I’ll openly admit that I expected France In the final and where my prediction for the Tournament but didn’t expect Portugal but we have a great match ahead of us tonight at the Stade De France.

Ronaldo vs Griezmann:

One thing to look out for tonight is the showdown between the two teams star players Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal and Antoine Griezmann for France. These two apply their trades for both Madrid clubs Real & Atletico in La Liga which slightly spices it up a bit more.

Ronaldo is the bigger player In this match as he at times has carried Portugal to the final, he can change a game just by the way he runs into the box for a header. Whatever the outcome Ronaldo will forever go down as one of the greats of this game, tonight is chance to do something his long time rival Lionel Messi hasn’t done and that’s win a a major tournament for his country he just has to rise to occasion again and scored free kick, a header or a one on one with the keeper. One thing France will be trying to do is stopping this man from scoring which isn’t the easiest task in the world.

France main threat in front of goal is non other than Anoine Griezmann who has scored six goals and you can argue for being player of the tournament. Griezmann has been a joy to watch at times with his awareness in the box and his all round game. He originally was a winger but has recently at Atletico Madrid become more of a winger/forward and has also done that for France, he is the apple of the whole French team despite never playing professionally in his home country having been scouted by Spanish club Real Sociedad after being turned down by numerous French clubs he is perhaps the one inspiring a lot of young kids in his homeland right now.

Which other players can make a difference: 

In terms of who else can make the difference for both sides there a few.

For France they have in midfield N’Golo Kante who is arguably the new Claude Makiklele with his engine and ability to win the ball back and start an offence and keep it going all match, this is one player Portugal should try and stick someone on if they want to win. Dimitry Payet is one player who has shone immensely in this tournament with a screamer of a goal in the opening game against Romania and has continued his form with another two more goals and brilliant passing, if France get a free kick you can bet that Payet will take one and don’t be surprised if he is MOTM tonight. Olivier Giroud is another who France will rely on for more goals, Giroud was suddenly made the main forward with Karim Benzema thrown out of the team for scandals off the pitch. Giroud has gone thought this tournament not being the French press favourite at times but that hasn’t stopped him from scoring three goals and contributing hugely to getting France this far and will deserve a medal if he gets one tonight. Last but not least we come to Paul Pogba who has been brilliant in this tournament having started slowly, Pogba posses brilliant bursting energy in the centre of the pitch which can leave fans mesmerised at times and his brilliant passing and knack for scoring brilliant goals when he gets the opportunity. I would describe him like Paul Scholes and Patrick Viera’s love child if they had one and I’ll leave it at that.

Portugal also possess other players that they hope can contribute to the game tonight. William Carvahlo is one that has impressed me in the tournament and could be Portugal Kante as he also finds quick passes and long ones. Carvahlo can play centre midfield and defensive midfield which helps in terms of versatility. Joao Mario is another who can also drift in roles, he can nutmeg players and start playing it out through the middle, Mario also do a role out wide and play a good cross when needed to which Portugal will be hoping he does that tonight. Renato Sanches and Andre Gomes will both be key to Portugal tomight, Sanches who moves to Bayern Munich after the final has impressed everyone with his very quick running and great understanding of his game at only 18 years of age. Don’t be surprised if you see Sanches bursting passed the French midfield and setting up a chance. Expect Andre Gomes to perhaps come on for him at some point, he also plays a similar game and will want to impress tonight with speculation that big clubs are after him. Nani is one who can rise for this one as well. Always looked at as Ronaldo understudy and pound shop version of him, Nani who has just signed for Valencia so he will want to have a good game to get ready for that. His best attribute perhaps is his ability to score a magnificent goal and crossing the ball into the box for a goal, if Ronaldo doesn’t step up then Nani could be the man to step up tonight.

What we can expect tonight: 

With a final we all hope for a match that will give us memories to last a a lifetime. One thing we all hope for is this doesn’t go to penalties which would just not be right, this match could be 1-1 or 4-3 but we just don’t know. For the winner it will be lifetime memories and the loser will want to forget this immediately, both teams are in the final and deserve to be here, as a football neutral I’m hoping for a good match and a deserving winner.

Prediction: France Victory 3-1