France Celebrates Narrow Victory Over Belgium
Monday evening in Düsseldorf, Didier Deschamps and his staff celebrated qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Euro with joy and exaltation. The narrow victory against Belgium (1-0) was a relief after tumultuous days filled with numerous criticisms and enormous pressure. The French team's celebration, filled with hugs, affectionate gestures, and smiles, was a sight to behold.
This Friday evening in Hamburg, the French team will face a much stronger opponent: Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo. This match is anticipated to be a true finale avant la lettre, with both teams being strong candidates for the title.
Michael Olivier to Officiate Portugal-France Match
Michael Olivier, a 39-year-old English referee, has been appointed to lead the quarter-finals match between Portugal and France this Friday at 9 p.m. Olivier is very experienced in the Premier League and has already officiated several matches in Euro 2024, including the round of 16 between Germany and Denmark, and group matches between Spain and Croatia, and Ukraine and Slovakia.
Olivier is also familiar with Kylian Mbappé, having officiated a Champions League match between Real Sociedad and PSG. He also officiated a match involving the French team during the last Euro against Hungary. Hopefully, his presence will be without much incident this Friday night as well.
- The French team's celebration in Düsseldorf was a stark contrast to the pressure and criticisms they faced in the days leading up to the match against Belgium. The victory has given the team a new sense of confidence as they prepare to face Portugal.
- Michael Olivier's experience in officiating high-stakes matches will be crucial in ensuring a fair and smooth game between Portugal and France. His familiarity with some of the players, including Kylian Mbappé, might also play a role in how he manages the match.
