MX23RW : Sunday, May 5 20:32:49| >> :600:197569:197569:

Laurent Koscielny: England match is like a final

Koscielny wary of England clash
© PA Photos
Laurent Koscielny admits that France cannot afford to lose to England in their opening match of Euro 2012.

France defender Laurent Koscielny has admitted that facing England at Euro 2012 is the "worst possible draw" for Les Bleus.

England face France on June 11 in the Group D opener and Koscielny claims that Laurent Blanc's team cannot afford a defeat in their first match.

The Arsenal defender said: "To play against England is the worst possible draw but it will be a enormous chance for us to progress if we win.

"We can't afford to lose. Normally you might expect France and England to qualify for the second phase but football never works like that.

"We know this is like a final because defeat would be a disaster. Our first objective is to get out of the group and to lose the first game would make it very difficult."

Ukraine and Sweden are the other two teams competing for qualification within Group D.

ID:29190: cacheID:29190:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1882:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Laurent Blanc
Read Next:
Blanc hints at Benzema, Giroud partnership
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
5.30pm
Auger-Aliassime
Rublev
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!