France's Hugo Lloris names England as favorites to win Euro 2012 Group D

Les Bleus will meet the Three Lions in their opening fixture of the tournament in Donetsk and the keeper was in no doubt that Fabio Capello's men are the team to beat

By Daniel Edwards

Hugo Lloris (France)
Getty
France and Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was under no illusions about the challenge his side will face in Euro 2012, as he named rivals England as the team most likely to finish top in the group stage.

Laurent Blanc's men were drawn alongside England, Sweden and hosts Ukraine in Group D, in an outcome the coach has already stated would be difficult for the 2000 winners.

Lloris focused on the threat posed by the nation's traditional rivals across the Channel, naming them the favorites to finish first out of the four competitors.

"This draw could have been worse, but England, Sweden and Ukraine are all tough opponents and it's never easy to play against the host country. England is among the biggest nations in football. They will be the favorites of the group," the shot-stopper told Tele Lyon after learning the identity of France's opponents.

"Sweden, with Kim Kallstrom, are also a very good team and also have great quality up front with the talent of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. It will be difficult."

France will begin its Euro 2012 campaign against England in Donetsk on June 11. It then meet hosts Ukraine, before completing the group stage against Sweden.

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