France the Euros ‘favorites’: Lahm

BERLIN, May 21, (Xinhua): 2024 UEFA Euro tournament director Philipp Lahm called 2018 FIFA world champion France the favorite team to win this summer’s tournament.

“They have got a remarkably well-equipped squad full of gifted talents,” the 40-year-old told Xinhua in a recent interview.

From the 2014 world champion’s perspective, the 2000 European champion’s most challenging issue is “to get the power on the pitch as a team over the entire tournament.” The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has proven that “teamwork” makes national teams achieve a higher level. “The Qatar World Cup delivered several examples of teams performing beyond expectations such as Morocco.” Lahm mentioned the robust team spirit of Argentina and Croatia. “Argentina lost their first group encounter but fought back and everyone in the team was willing to provide his best for the benefit of the team.” Lahm mentioned Spain, England, Portugal and Germany as the fiercest competitors aside from France. The German added he is hoping for a tournament surprise “like we saw from the Iceland team in 2016.” The 113 times capped former defender praised the development of the German team under the coach Julian Nagelsmann and sporting director Rudi Voller.