EURO - Spain v. France
2:45 PM ET
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Welcome back to the Score's ongoing coverage of Euro 2012. Spain versus France in what might just be an upset of a match. Although tomorrow's clash between England and Italy has already been dubbed the "clash of the keepers", today's could be considered the same with Hugo Lloris and Saint Iker eyeing one another. Goals won't come easy today. -
Starting XI
Spain 4-3-3:
Casillas, Arbeloa, Pique, Ramos, Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Alonso, Silva, Fabregas, Iniesta
Subs: Torres, Navas, Cazorla, Albiol, Llorente, Juanfran, Martinez, Negredo, Mata, Pedro, Reina, Valdes
France 4-5-1:
Lloris, Reveillere, Raimi, Koscielny, Clichy, M'Vila, Debuchy, Cabaye, Malouda, Ribery, Benzema
Subs: Evra, Ben Arfa, Nasri, Matuidi, Menez, Diarra, Valbuena, Giroud, Martin, Carrasso, Mandanda -
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France come into today's match having lost 2-0 to Sweden a few days back. A bit of blame has been lobbied back and forth between teammates, but this isn't the 2010 World Cup and this isn't the same side. Malouda starts today hoping to cause a bit of trouble as he'd done in the EPL this year. He's a chaser, a work horse, a mudder. Loves the slop. With Spain having completed over 2,000 passes this tournament, Malouda will be running no doubt.
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This could very well go to penalties. Maybe 2-2 to finish the match? Benzema hasn't appeared too gifted this tournament, but he's always been a silent wonder and today should certainly be his breakout romp. On the other side, Torres starts on the bench, making way for Sir Fabregas and his "false 9" talk, sitting in the middle of the pitch just ahead of Busquets.
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Almost hoping Spain struggle just so we can see Fernando Llorente come on and play up front. Not too much talk for a striker who now has a 30-million price tag slapped on him by Athletico Bilbao brass. Would love to see the big man come on and change the shape of Spain.
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