“The summer of soccer” hits another high note Sunday when Portugal and France meet in the Euro 2016 final at the Stade de France (3 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Man in the middle: English referee Mark Clattenburg will draw the referee assignment on Sunday, just a few weeks after working the Champions League final between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid. Assistant referees Simon Beck and Jake Collin, Anthony Taylor and Andre Marriner round out the crew.
History lesson: France is 18-5-1 in 24 meetings against Portugal, and have won the last 10 meetings. Portugal hasn’t beaten France since April 23, 1975. In European Championship finals, Portugal is 0-1, having fallen to Greece in 2004, while France is 2-0 with victories in 1984 and 2000.
Team news: Portuguese defender is the only injury worry for the final as he struggles to recover from an injured quad muscle.
Player speak, part one: “This is different. I was 18, that was my first final. My debut. Now 12 years have gone by and now we are going to play another final. I am very proud of that. I have always dreamed of winning for Portugal, I hope it is our turn now.” — Cristiano Ronaldo, on playing in his second Euro final.
Player speak, part two: “We’re very happy and we can start dreaming on the 10th of July. But we still have a match to go. It was a fantastic experience with our fans here we hope to relive that in the final. We want to finish with a flourish.” — Antoine Griezmann, on the hosts reaching the final
Coach speak, part one: “The final will be the highest point in my career so far. It’s about my country, my flag, my fatherland, my friends, and my family. From a personal point of view it’s very important.” — Portugal manager Fernando Santos
Coach speak, part two: “When you see the passion, inside and outside the stadium, this team has everything it takes to be loved, the players are performing well on the pitch and I’m very proud.
“We are in a final. We have our chance and Portugal have their chance too. It’s not as if just because we’re hosts and have knocked out Germany that gives us additional power. Portugal believe in themselves, and we believe in ourselves. It’s still very open.” — French manager Didier Deschamps
Analysis: To say Portugal has been conservative in this tournament is a bit of an understatement. The 2-0 win over Wales in the semi was only its second win in the event so far. Solid defending and timely goals have been the order of the day for the Portuguese.
Meanwhile, Les Blues enter the final on a high after a rousing 2-0 win over Germany. Griezmann has six goals so far in the tournament, and the French have to be considered favorites to left the trophy Sunday.
Still, it would be silly to count out Portugal. Santos’ men will try to keep men behind the ball and look for chances to hit the French on the break with the pace of Ronaldo and Nani. The longer it takes France to score a goal, the more anxious the partisan crowd will get, so it’s important for Portugal not to concede early.
Prediction: All signs point to France winning this match, but I’ve got a funny feeling Ronaldo makes his mark with a late goal that wins a European title for his country. Portugal, 1-0.
