Tottenham’s Lloris: Euros Have United France
Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris spoke with the media today and gave his thoughts on reaching the European Championship final and what this tournament has meant to France as a whole.
Although there have been minor disturbances in France since Euro 2016 has started, it has still been a successful tournament. Which is quite amazing, seeing as how seven to eight months ago, terrorist attacks rocked Paris.
And now here we are, close to witnessing the host nation lifting the European Championship on home soil against Portugal in what should be a good final.
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The 15th edition of the European Championship has been a long time coming for Tottenham goalkeeper and captain, Hugo Lloris, as well as for France after being awarded the tournament six years ago on May 28, 2010.
With all that’s happened to the city, suffering through tragic events, to get a chance to win a championship for the people, it would be a perfect ending.
"“Of course we’ve had some very tough times this year, both with those tragic events but also with events that have gone on off the field,” Hugo Lloris said (via ESPN FC).“But we’re even prouder to be on the pitch, to really feel the entire French population behind us, to feel this happiness which is really shared between the players and the French people.”“That gives us greater strength, it’s lovely to see, but we still have that final step to take to really finish this competition in the best possible fashion.”"
If it wasn’t for this tournament, who’s to say how France would have responded through the terrorist attacks back in November.
The Euros have truly been a means of escape for the French people.
"“I think the French people really needed to escape via this competition and sport has this strength to bring people together, to unite people. You can see that very clearly — we can see that because we are currently experiencing it.”“But we still have one step to take. It’s certainly the hardest one, but it’s well worth it to finish in a good way.”"
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Coming off of a 2-0 win on Thursday, against the reigning World Cup champions Germany, Lloris notes that things are looking very good under current manager Didier Deschamps in recent weeks.
Leading up to the Euros, France were being called one of the favorites early on, but at the start, they didn’t look like one of the best teams on display.
That isn’t the case now, and Les Bleus has found their groove at the right time.
"“Clearly we went through a crisis in French football, but we’ve been able to really pick ourselves up from that crisis,” Lloris continued.“We have overcome things. It wasn’t easy but, step by step, we’ve been able to go through that process.”“The FFF [French Football Federation] deserves a lot of credit for that, as do the players and the head coaches that have taken charge of the French national side.”“But putting together a great team takes a lot of time. If you look at recent times with the Spaniards or indeed the Germans, you can’t have success overnight.”“You can’t simply buy time and experience, but [against Portugal] we have the chance to make history within French football. It is a unique opportunity in a player’s career. You need to make the most of that.”“Our minds will guide us in our efforts. We’ll try and give 100 percent and have no regrets when we step off at the end of the match.”"
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Understandably, France should be the favorites based on the current squad that they boast compared to Portugal. That being said, on the off-chance that they lose — while it would be a heartbreaking loss — France as a whole should be very proud of where they’ve come since November.
That in of itself, is a win-win, in all honesty. To come together as one, escape everything that has happened around them even for a few hours and watch their national team put on a marvelous show to reach the European Championship finals.
Once the Euros have concluded, Tottenham will be able to have all of their players return to their pre-season training program. After an extended break of course.