MX23RW : Friday, November 15 13:51:43| >> :120:6428:6428:

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
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


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!