Euro 2016 preview: France vs Iceland: What time does it start, where can I watch it live?

A look ahead to Sunday's quarter-final in Paris

Michael Parsons
Friday 01 July 2016 15:04 BST
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Antoine Griezmann celebrates after giving France the lead against Albania
Antoine Griezmann celebrates after giving France the lead against Albania

It’s a big game for…

Antoine Griezmann

Were it not for a brave decision to leave France as a youngster, Griezmann probably wouldn’t be representing his country at these European championships. Considered too small by clubs at home, Griezmann was forced to cross the border to Spain to pursue his footballing dreams. At Real Sociedad and now at Atletico Madrid, he has since established himself as one of the continent’s pre-eminent attacking players. Griezmann started the tournament slowly, but came to life against Ireland in the last 16, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win. Somewhere, some French youth football coaches are taking a long, hard look into a mirror.

Best stat…

France and Iceland have scored six goals apiece at Euro 2016 despite the French having had 44 more shots on goal.

Player to watch…

Aron Gunnarsson

Iceland certainly won’t be winning any prizes for aesthetics, but it’s hard not to be drawn in by their incredible run to the quarter-finals here. Their defensive solidity is no secret, yet they have combined it with a cutting edge that has seen them score in every match so far.

Gunnarsson’s long-throw is one of the chief weapons in the Viking’s armoury. It was the undoing of England in the last 16, and France will have no excuse not to be prepared for what’s coming. But, as England found to their cost, planning for it, and actually defending it, are entirely different matters.

Premier League interest…

France (11): Hugo Lloris, N'Golo Kanté, Yohan Cabaye, Dimitri Payet, Olivier Giroud, Anthony Martial, Morgan Schneiderlin, Eliaquim Mangala, Moussa Sissoko, Bacary Sagna, Laurent Koscielny

Iceland (1): Gylfi Sigurðsson

Past meetings…

France 3 (Debuchy, Ribery, Rami) Iceland 2 (Bjarnason, Sigthorsson) Friendly, 2012

France 3 (own goal, Djorkaeff, Trezeguet) Iceland 2 (Sverrisson, Gunnarsson) Friendly, 1999

Who will the winners face next…

The victors will play either Germany or Italy in the semi-final

Vital information…

Date: Sunday 3rd July

Venue: Stade de France, Paris

Kick-off time: 8pm

TV: Live on ITV

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