SoccerNews Issue #2, June 07th 2016 Continental/Division Tires Buettnerstraße 25 | 30165 Hannover Self-confidence in France: Harry Kane and the Alexander Bahlmann Phone: +49 511 938 2615 England national team have made it into the Head of Communications & E-Mail:
[email protected] extended circle of favourites for the European Public Relations PLT www.contisoccerworld.de Championship. Photo: Imago SoccerNews # 2/2016 2 that for the first time 24 teams are taking part, and 16 will qualify for the knock-out stage. The European elite return to France, 18 years after the fantastic 1998 World Cup finals. “La Grande Nation” once again hosts a major event – and is hoping that the title will remain with them, just as at the two previous tourna- Europe’s crown is beckoning every four years: Cesc ments on home soil. At the 1984 Europeans Fabregas (right) and the Spanish national team are the “Équipe Tricolore” triumphed as they did ready for a title hat-trick. Photo: Imago at the 1998 World Cup. This admirable feat is unrivaled. France are the last nation to win a European Championship at home, and the last to triumph similarly in the World Cup. The road to the final on July 10, however, is as long as never before at a European Champion- ship. For the first time in history 24 teams are competing in the finals, with the first and sec- Not to be stopped: Belgium and top star Kevin De Bruyne want to win the European title. Photo: Imago ond-placed teams of the six preliminary round groups, as well as the four best third-placed News teams, qualifying for the round of 16.