Hosts France may be the favourites to win Euro 2016 but they must not get ahead of themselves having not played a competitive game in two years, captain Hugo Lloris said on Thursday.
Les Bleus, who are ahead of world champions Germany and holders Spain in the betting, take on Romania in the tournament’s opening game on Friday at the Stade de France, before two more Group A games against Switzerland and Albania.
“We don’t feel like favourites. We’ve done nothing, we’ve proved nothing,” Lloris told a news conference.
British bookmakers Ladbrokes have France at 16-5, Germany 9-2 and Spain 5-1 to win the tournament.
France qualified as hosts for the June 10-July 10 finals and have played only friendlies since being knocked out of the 2014 World Cup by eventual champions Germany in the quarterfinals.
“Things start in earnest tomorrow,” Lloris added.
France may take heart from the fact they have won nine of their last 10 matches, their only defeat being a 2-0 loss against England at Wembley four days after the Islamic State’s Paris attacks killed 130 last November.
“It’s good for our confidence, and we also have a little supplement by playing at home,” said Lloris.
France have scored 13 goals in their last four matches with Anthony Martial, Antoine Griezmann, Dimitri Payet showing impressive potential up front.
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