A look at five members of the France team ahead of Sunday’s European Championship final against Portugal:
HUGO llORIS
This is lloris’ fourth major tournament as France’s No. 1. The captain demonstrated just how important he is to the title bid late in Thursday’s 2-0 semifinal win over Germany, preserving the clean sheet with a fine reflex save to deny Joshua Kimmich.
PAUl POGBA
Often deployed in a deeper role for his dynamic tackling, Pogba has also exhibited his passing range to unlock defenses.
DIMITRI PAYET
Despite fading in the semifinals, Payet’s elegancy and efficiency on the ball has been an essential component of France’s bid for a first trophy since Euro 2000. It’s taken until late in his career for the 29-year-old Payet to become a France regular, having taken six years to reach 25 appearances.
OlIVIER GIROUD
With 10 goals in 12 games, Giroud has established himself as a real striking force for France. And yet he continues to divide opinion among fans — both with club side Arsenal and on international duty.
Even scoring in a Euro 2016 warmup game didn’t prevent him being jeered by French fans that night.
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN
Small for a striker — at 1.76 meters — Griezmann is making a big impact at his home tournament, both in the air and on the ground. The Atletico Madrid striker is undoubted star of championship so far and seems destined to take home Golden Boot.