Evra – France ripe for glory

France defender Patrice Evra believes his country are ready to go all the way at Euro 2016.

Les Bleus head into the tournament on home soil hoping to claim their first major honour for 16 years and there is plenty of optimism surrounding the camp due to the crop of young talent that has emerged in recent years.

Perhaps the breakthrough result for this group of players came in November 2013 when they overturned a 2-0 deficit against Ukraine to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.

After reaching the quarter-finals in Brazil, Didier Deschamps’ men are the 4.00 favourites to win the tournament, with Germany 4.50 and holders Spain 6.50. Evra’s 71 caps make him one of the most experienced players in the camp and he will be looking to use his knowledge to aid his younger team-mates.

The 35-year-old admits the win over Ukraine three years ago was a turning point for the camp and believes the squad is ready for the country to start winning silverware again. “You feel it’s a young team but with a lot of character,” Evra told French TV show Telefoot.

“I think we all know that the trigger was against Ukraine — that was the real test. “Before that match, some people had already got out the guillotines and wanted to reclaim our passports. I remember that it was powerful. It was the best moment of my international career.

“Now that’s finished. Now France should become a football nation that wins again.” France open the tournament on June 10 against Romania, a game they are 1.29 to win, with the draw priced at 4.75 and the Romanians the 13.00 outsiders.