Battle-hardened Portugal stand between hosts France and a cathartic victory in Sunday's Euro 2016 final at Stade de France. Here, our European football correspondents Ian Hawkey and Richard Jolly select three players from each team they predict will have an impact on the championship match.
Related: Everything you need to know about the Euro 2016 final
Click on the arrows to view the next photo or just swipe on your mobile device
France – Dmitri Payet
The darling of the team at the outset of the tournament, when his late winner gave France their first victory, Payet has looked a little fatigued as the month wore on, his Euro 2016 like his season with West Ham United, delightful early on, quieter later. France may need magic to unlock Portugal.
France – Samuel Umtiti
A remarkable week for the Cameroon-born defender. He only won his first cap last Sunday, but an authoritative performance against Germany should keep him at the heart of France’s defence - and in charge of shadowing Ronaldo when crosses float towards the Portugal captain.
France – Antoine Griezmann
Player of the tournament so far, with his six goals. He has been encouraged to think that the Ballon D’Or for 2016 might be his if he wins this title. Has the fresh memory of a close, losing final in the Champions League final hanging over him, but the Atletico Madrid striker could hardly look more buoyant.
Portugal – Cristiano Ronaldo
Impossible to ignore. A quest to win Portugal’s first trophy has taken on huge proportions for Ronaldo. His form has been mixed at Euro 2016 but his persistence has been a constant. Tellingly, his best performance came in the second half of the semi-final, when he scored a wonderful header against Wales.
Portugal – Nani
A supposedly flaky winger has been reinvented as the leader of the attack, a stand-in striker who has done better than the specialists Portugal have fielded in recent seasons. Nani is Portugal’s joint top scorer, with three goals, and his recent move to Valencia is another sign his career is on the up again.
Portugal – Renato Sanches
It feels strange that Fernando Santos did not give Sanches a first start of the tournament until the quarter-final against Poland. The midfielder may be 18 but he feels older, given his power, talent and relish for the major occasions. It is easy to see why Bayern Munich signed him.
While you're here
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20S23%20ULTRA
Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
The%20Color%20Purple
WHAT%20IS%20THE%20LICENSING%20PROCESS%20FOR%20VARA%3F
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Key fixtures from January 5-7
Watford v Bristol City
Liverpool v Everton
Brighton v Crystal Palace
Bournemouth v AFC Fylde or Wigan
Coventry v Stoke City
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
Manchester United v Derby
Forest Green or Exeter v West Brom
Tottenham v AFC Wimbledon
Fleetwood or Hereford v Leicester City
Manchester City v Burnley
Shrewsbury v West Ham United
Wolves v Swansea City
Newcastle United v Luton Town
Fulham v Southampton
Norwich City v Chelsea
More from Neighbourhood Watch
While you're here
Joyce Karam: Chaotic first debate unlikely to swing undecideds
Hussein Ibish: Donald Trump's 3-step plan to cling to power
Sulaiman Hakemy: Make America lose again
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
On Women's Day
Shelina Janmohamed: Why shouldn't a spouse be compensated fairly for housework?
Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality
The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?
Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'
The specs: 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Price, base: Dh198,300
Engine: 2.0L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 280hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7L / 100km
THE%20HOLDOVERS
You might also like
The%20Little%20Mermaid%20
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
SPEC%20SHEET
START-UPS%20IN%20BATCH%204%20OF%20SANABIL%20500'S%20ACCELERATOR%20PROGRAMME
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
On Women's Day
Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action
Shelina Janmohamed: Why shouldn't a spouse be compensated fairly for housework?
Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality
The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?
No Shame
Lily Allen
(Parlophone)
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
