Benzema, Varane & Diarra all missing for Deschamps men

Euro 2016 on Friday, the competing European sides have started to arrive in the host nation as final preparations start to take shape. And while visiting teams were getting comfortable in their hotels, one team already at home was, of course, Les Blues and coach Didier Deschamps decided to open the training ground gates to the public ahead of their tournament opener with Romania.

The fans who decided to attend would have seen a far from complete French squad with numerous notable absences. Karim Benzema is missing after being banned by the French F.A. for blackmailing a team-mate while Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has already been ruled out with a knee injury.  There is room for positivity with forwards Antoine Griezmann and Oliver Giroud entering the tournament on the back impressive goal scoring seasons for their clubs. One man in his first major finals is Manchester United striker Anthony Martial who has proved he is one of the best young talents during his first season at Old Trafford.

Three Lions boss has selection headache ahead of Russia game

The England team rolled into their base Monday to some very bad out of tune trumpet playing and coach Roy Hodgson trying and failing in his bid not to look awkward. The Three Lions coach has a selection headache ahead of their group B opener against Russia on Sunday with some fans calling for Captain Wayne Rooney to be dropped in favour of the less experienced Deli Ali who was outstanding for Tottenham. There is only one player from the Premier League Champions Leicester in the squad and by the time the first match comes, he might not be with the Foxes any longer with the Jamie Vardy set to decide on weather to join Arsenal after the Gunners triggered his 20 million pound release clause.

Beijing forward Yilmaz in squad despite recent injuries

Also gearing up for the European Championships is Turkey. Many will remember their famous semi-final finish at the 2002 world cup in Japan and South Korea and their weather affected encounter in their last 4 defeat to Germany at Euro 2008, so they arrive in France with plenty of tournament pedigree. Beijing Guoan fans will have a few eye-brows raised if forward Burak Yilmaz performs for his country. The 30-year-old has been missing for much of the start of this Chinese Super League season through injury and there are rumours he is unsettled.