totally screw it up and/or experience multiple injuries, yo

Hosts France will be looking to get Euro 2016 off to a winning start as they take on Romania in Fridays opening game in Paris. Les Bleus get the European Championship underway at the Stade de France in Group A and are one of the favourites to lift the trophy, as well as winning their last four international games. Sky Sports Becky Williams meets some of the fans travelling to France France also have a good record when hosting a major international tournament - winning Euro 1984 and the World Cup in 1998 - and captain Hugo Lloris is hoping the home advantage will help the squad rather than be a hindrance. Every country has a different culture. It maybe didnt help Brazil in [World Cup] 2014 but for us the public are going to be a great support. We just have to take advantage of it and to be proud. Opening-game omens History dictates that it is crucial to get off to a fast start at major tournaments Romania qualified second in their group and one point behind winners Northern Ireland, remaining unbeaten through the campaign with five wins and five draws.Anghel Iordanescus men had the sturdiest defence of the qualifying teams - conceding just twice in ten games - and the manager says that despite facing a better team, his side are aiming to make the knockout stages. Dimitri Payet is in line to start for France after a strong showing in the warm-ups France are clearly superior to us. Didier Deschamps has class players available, who play in the Champions League and Europa League.Mine play in Turkey, Bulgaria, Israel and Qatar. But that does not mean that we have surrendered. We all have the same goal - to move groups. France trio Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud at Fridays training session Team newsFrance had a number of senior players pull out of the 23-man squad ahead of the tournament, with Lassana Diarra, Mathieu Debuchy, Mamadou Sakho, Raphael Varane and Jeremy Mathieu all sidelined.But the last week has seen a relatively calm period for France injuries with all the players expected to be fit for selection, including exciting youngster Kingsley Coman who has been nursing a calf injury over the last few days. Kingsley Coman could overcome a calf injury for the Stade de France West Ham winger Dimitri Payet is set to join Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann in attack, according to reports in France, meaning Manchester United striker Anthony Martial may have to settle for a place on the bench.Romania left-back Steliano Filip has been a concern with an ankle strain but he has been in training under the guidance of the medical team and should be available. Euro 2016 dark horses Which teams are capable of springing a surprise at Euro 2016? We pick out three… There are few recognisable names to English football fans, although Watford goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon and former Tottenham defender Vlad Chiriches are in the 23-man squad, with the latter declaring himself 100 per cent ready after sitting out the final warm-up game against Georgia.Elsewhere, Florin Andone (hand) and Ovidiu Hoba (knock) are also fit to start for a side that have the lowest average number of caps out of the 24 Euro 2016 competitors. Sunderland goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon is among the Romania squad Opta statsFrance are unbeaten in their last 10 games against Romania (W5 D5). However, four of their last five encounters have ended in draws.Romanias last victory against France was in April 1972. It was in a friendly in Bucharest (2-0). France have won their last four games, including a 3-0 victory over Scotland This will be France and Romanias third encounter at the Euros, all in the group stages. The two previous games produced only one goal, France winning in 1996 (1-0) before a goalless draw in 2008.France have won six and drawn one of their seven tournament games at the Stade de France (World Cup, Confederations Cup). Euro 2016: Ultimate guide We profile all 24 teams in action at Euro 2016, looking at their key men and chances of success... Les Bleus are taking part in their ninth European Championship finals. They have won it twice: in 1984 as tournament hosts and in 2000. Only Germany and Spain have lifted the trophy on more occasions (3 each).France have failed to score in five of their last eight games at Euro finals.Romania have never won their opening game at the Euros (D3 L1). Romania had the best defence of the qualifying sides for Euro 2016 Deschamps is leading France to their second major tournament as manager, after the 2014 World Cup (quarter finalists). He was captain the last time France won the EURO in 2000.Iordanescu is taking charge of Romania at a major tournament for the fourth time after World Cup 1994, Euro 1996 and World Cup 1998. His previous best performance was reaching the quarter-finals with Gheorghe Hagi & co at USA 1994. Anghel Iordanescu oversees Fridays training session at the Stade de France Mersons predictionFrance are the host nation and, with the likes of Payet, Paul Pogba and Martial, I fancy them to get off to a flyer as the tournament gets underway in Paris.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 to France (Sky Bet odds 7/2) Mersons Euro predictions Mersons Euro 2016 predictions: England to open with Russia win BettingFrance are strong 30/100 favourites with Sky Bet ahead of the Euro 2016 opener against 12/1 shots Romania on Friday night. The tournament hosts are also 3/1 to win on home soil with Romania 100/1 outsiders. Griezmann and Pogba both to score in the match for Les Bleus is 8/1 (from 6/1), one of eight pre-match Price Boosts on offer. Check out all the big match odds here.Follow France v Romania - and every game at Euro 2016 - with our live blog on skysports.com and the Sky Sports apps. Sky Sports Euro 2016 predictor Make your predictions with our interactive wall chart here. Dedryck Boyata Belgium Jersey .Y. -- As if the worst start in franchise history isnt bad enough, Buffalo Sabres President Ted Black braced his teams win-starved fans for potentially more tough times. Nacer Chadli Jersey . The third-ranked Lewis, a three-time winner this year on the LPGA Tour, had a 9-under 135 total at Emirates Golf Course in the Ladies European Tours season-ending tournament. http://www.soccerbelgiumteamonline.com/Thibaut-Courtois-UEFA-European-Belgium-Jersey/ . Al Harrington, another former Knicks forward, scored 22 of his 24 points after halftime for the Nuggets, allowing them to withstand Anthonys attempt to rally the Knicks after his poor shooting had them behind until the final minutes of regulation. Anthony finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds, missing 20 of 30 shots in the Knicks sixth straight loss. Mousa Dembele Jersey . But the young forward is more than willing to shed a little blood if thats what it takes to make the team this season. "It caught me pretty good, dazed me for that shift, but I didnt want to be off the ice for too long," he said after practice, his lip still bleeding a little despite the plastic stitches holding it together. Leander Dendoncker Jersey . He looked very comfortable Wednesday night. Konerko had a big three-run double and Gordon Beckham homered for the second straight game, leading the Chicago White Sox to an 8-3 victory over the sliding Chicago Cubs.As I sit here in Milwaukee waiting for the Raptors last game of the first half of the season to be played tonight, I give you five quick thoughts on areas that the team needs to improve on in the second half. After a wonderful start, its been a rough recent stretch that has exposed some concerns. Nonetheless, overall its been a positive run. In order to reach their potential, here is a little food for thought. 1. DEFENSE: Its been difficult to watch of late and I must say how surprised Ive been with the deterioration from where it was early in the season. This team with much greater effort and attention to detail can be a solid club. Right now, not even close. A quick observation - Dwane Casey had great success in Dallas teaching the zone. This team struggles to guard dribble penetration and protect the paint. Why not a little zone to hide some weak perimeter defenders and change the look on certain possessions? Just a thought. This team concerns me. When their offense goes south, the D has to be able to find ways to win ugly. They havent been able to. Thats what playoff basketball is. 2. TERRENCE ROSS AND AMIR JOHNSON: Are these guys starters at this stage of their respective careers? If yes, then we need much better play. They have been inconsistent and it holds back their unit on occasion. Need greater focus and consistent effort and productivity. Cant be as patient as youd like. 3 OFFENSIVE EXECUTION: Deterioration on this end as well. We saw this during the playoffs against the Nets. When you really guard them and body them with physical force, they wilt under the pressure. This is a good offensive club thats become too nonchalant and individual of late. Player and ball movement is a must and the sscreening and usage can improve.dddddddddddd You do that and the turnovers will decrease. 4. HABITS: This is my biggest issue right now. Somewhere along the path from Oct 1 to now this group has taken some shortcuts and its showing now. Seems like this club only plays at optimal level when it feels challenged. The Backs to the Wall mentality they display is terrific, I just dont see it as their daily makeup yet. I look at the best teams and they sustain sound habits and demand the optimum from themselves for long periods. This group can do it. Commitment time. 5. ATLANTIC DIVISION: Congrats! 9.5 games up with 42 to play. Unless you totally screw it up and/or experience multiple injuries, youre going to win back-to-back Division titles. Cool! Heres the question; Are you going to be satisfied with that or is the focus now going to be on being an elite Eastern Conference team? Success has a way of messing with your focus. Do you really want to play a brutal opponent at the fifth seed (Im saying it will be Cleveland - good luck winning that series) even though you have home court as a fourth seed? In the Atlantic, you have three teams in a rebuild mode (Im being kind) and the Nets up for sale and trying to figure out what to do. Great spot to be in to get a top-four seed. Some of its you being good and some of the rest is the other four teams being so lousy. Dont fool yourself. To make next step as a franchise, theyve got to grow to the point that they can compete and win a first round series. How does that happen? Not being satisfied and pushing on to a new and greater challenge. Player internal leadership, professionalism and maturity are a must. This team has good guys. They can do it. Now time to do so. ' ' '