EUROPEAN NEWSPAPER REVIEW - ‘L’Horreur’ in Paris, Can Euro 2016 take place?, and countdown to El Clasico begins

Andy Mitten rounds-up what the European newspapers are reporting and finds out questions are being asked whether Euro 2016 should go ahead.

The front page of L’Équipe on Saturday morning featured a single white word on a pitch black background: “L’HORREUR”. This was followed on Sunday morning by two more words: “En deuil” – in mourning.

France’s 2-0 victory over world champions Germany at the Stade de France was overshadowed by the worst violence France has witnessed since the Second World War. On “a night of terror” in Paris, more than 120 innocent civilians were murdered and even more injured. L’Équipe described how President Francois Hollande was evacuated from the stadium at half-time and how managers Didier Deschamps and Joachim Löw were informed of events. It was agreed not to inform the players and to continue the match to retain a semblance of calm.

“A totally meaningless victory”, said FranceFootball after two suicide bombers detonated devices just outside the stadium, the explosions audible but not immediately comprehended by those inside. The magazine also praised the response of the security forces at the Stade de France, saying “the worst was avoided”.

It was “a night of victory and of mourning” (L’Équipe) – particularly for French midfielder Lassana Diarra whose cousin was among the victims. In a statement, Diarra said: “In this climate of terror, it is vital that we who represent our country and its diversity speak out and remain united in the face of an evil which has neither colour nor religion.”

France’s next friendly against England at Wembley on Tuesday was initially cast into doubt as well. FranceFootball, however, revealed the decision of the head of the Fédération française de football (FFF) Noël Le Graët to go ahead with the match, saying “France is on her feet, and so is football.” 20minutes reported on the plans of many English fans to learn the words to La Marseillaise and sing in unity with the French at Wembley.

Questions were also raised as to the readiness of France to stage a safe and secure Euro 2016 next summer. “Euro 2016 only 7 months away …” worried Libération. “Can Euro 2016 even take place?” questioned Sports.fr. But Jacques Lambert, the president of the tournament organising committee, dismissed any such suggestion, saying that “any notion of cancelling the tournament would be playing right into the terrorists’ hands.”

The horrific events in Paris dominated the German back pages too. “International overshadowed by terror attack – French victory reduced to footnote” reported Kicker, also publishing an official statement from the Deutscher Fußballbund (DFB) saying: “On Friday evening we lost a football match – and nothing could be less important.”

“Sleepless in Paris” said radio broadcaster Sport1, whose reporter described “a surreal night full of uncertainty.” Kicker also revealed that the German team spent the night in the stadium, sporting director Oliver Bierhoff stating that “it was too big a risk to drive back into the centre of Paris for the sake of a few hours in the hotel.”

Despite suggestions to the contrary, Germany’s friendly against arch-rivals Holland in Hannover on Wednesday will take place. “German team want to set an example” said Deutsche Welle, whilst SPORTBILD headlined “We won’t allow ourselves to be intimidated by terror.” Tagesspiegel reported that chancellor Angela Merkel will be present, although Jérome Boateng (knee), Jonas Hector (thigh) and Bastian Schweinsteiger (rested) will not feature.

The big Bundesliga story of the week was the permanent appointment of André Schubert as Borussia Mönchengladbach manager. “Well finally!” said an exasperated SPORTBILD after Schubert, who has overseen an incredible run of 6 wins, one draw and one defeat (to Manchester City) since taking over, signed a contract until June 2017.

In Spain, events in Paris overshadowed Friday’s friendly between Spain and England in Alicante. Spain comfortably won 2-0 with ‘Two golazos’ from Mario Gaspar and Santi Cazorla according to AS who wrote that ‘Spanish expressionism ends the English challenge.’

Spain is now in full build up mode to Saturday’s Clasico in the Bernabeu and Barçelona’s official website had a nice story from Ronaldinho as he recalled the 2005 Madrid Clasico in which Barça won 3-0 and he was applauded by Madrid fans.

“Few players have had this happiness, in a Clasico the fans of their biggest rival, their greatest rival, applaud you,” said the Brazilian. “Few have had this happiness.“

That said, he didn’t realise the applause was for him until he got back to the dressing room. Despite Lionel Messi’s brilliance, he doesn’t command the same respect of Madrid fans.

In Italy, Monday’s La Gazzetta dello Sport cover goes by the hashtag SportforParis. ‘Football, F1, tennis, basketball, volleyball: everyone for Paris.’ Italy’s captain Gianluigi Buffon leads the way: “It is right to continue playing. We feel naked now, but we mustn’t be afraid.” And Wembley will be blue, white and red tomorrow night for England-France.

Serie A resumes this week and, while there’s also a curiously placed Chelsea badge in La Gazzetta’s top corner courtesy of an advert from their main sponsor, Monday’s cover features an image of former Italy manager Cesare Prandelli, now at Galatasaray, with his views on the title race: “Roma and Napoli out in front. Fiorentina are there and Inter must grow.”

Prandelli thinks AC Milan have the most interesting project as they have a lot of young Italians, with their boss Mihajlovic having started from nothing. Prandelli also believes that champions Juventus will bounce back from their current mid-table angst and that their captain Buffon has spoken out at the right time about their current plight.