The EURO 2016 kicked off in Paris on Friday evening, and the hosts made a successful start after a workmanlike 2-1 win against surprisingly strong Romanians. Arsenal's Olivier Giroud put France in the lead just before the hour, but Bogdan Stancu levelled it up from the penalty spot only eight minutes later. Shortly before the final whistle West Ham United's Dimitri Payet handed France their first victory.
The 80,100 crowd at Stade de France saw the first Bayern star on Euro duty: Kingsley Coman replaced Atlético's Antoine Griezmann with 25 minutes to go. The 19-year-old did not shine with spectacular dribbling and pacy runs this time, but fitted well into France's play. Payet's sumptuous match-winner was set up from Coman's right wing area.
“Every match is going to be so tight, we'll always have to give it everything,” Coman said after the final whistle. The decisive factor was that his team believed in the victory until the end, according to the young Frenchman, who joined FC Bayern on loan from Juventus last summer. Coman revealed that many people congratulated him after the match, including FC Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
On Saturday the Euro picks up pace with three matches staged per day. Switzerland and Albania cross swords in Group A at 15.00 CET before Wales and Slovakia open Group B at 18.00. In the evening England enter the competition, taking on Russia at 21.00. However, no Bayern pro will feature on Saturday.
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