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European Championship kicks off today

Favourites France meet hosts in opener
STOCKHOLM Ju ne 9 Hosts den and Group One favourites France will each roll out thetr own
super guns when they face each other In the opening match of the European socrei championship on Wednesday reports Reuter.
Swedish hopes of gloty real squarely on the strike power of young forward Tomas Brolin, nicknamed "Baby Bomber, while France rely as ever on their unique smart weapon European player-of-the-year Jean Pierre Papin.
In a match which looks likely to be dominated by well entrenched defences, the abil Ity of BroUn and Paptn to ex ploit the slightest chink in the opposition’s armour could be decisive.
Home coach Tommy Sevcnsaon believes his team, boosted by the intimidating roar of 28.000 fans tn Stockholm* tiny Rasunda Stadium, could carry Sweden to a first taste of success since reaching the 1958 World Cup final also played tn home soil.
Sweden flopped badly in the 1990 World Cup In Italy, losing all three group games, but new coach Svensson has since rejuvenated the team and tightened up at the back.
The Swedes have conceded Just two goals tn their last six warm up matches. "On top form, we are capable of beating anybody. Sevensson said
Brolin, who despite his team s indifferent showing in Italy, was showered with praise for his speed, nose for goal and Incisive shot, has been tn good form this season, helping Parma, lo lift the Italian Cup with a victory over Juventus in the final.
Scorer of nine goals tn 16 matches for his country. Brolin and his midfield suppliers Anders Llmpar of Arsenal and Jonas Them of Benfica will be the men Platini will warn his side about
Svensson may not dare breathe ihc name of Papin, who has struck 13 goals tn his 10 last games for Frahce. for fear of panirking his inexpert enced central defence of Jan Eriksson and Patrik Andersson.
The AC Milan-bound striker
showed he has overcome an ankle Injury when he netted against the Dutch in a friendly Iasi Friday as he resumed his prolific partnership with Eric Cantona of leeds.
After earning themselves the unwelcome tag of title favourites with a record eight wins out of eight tn the qualifiers. France have been marking time since and are without a win in four friendlies this year
Platini may be alarmed by a lack of creativity in midfield, once the great strength of the national side, and the first warnings of holes appearing in defence.
If he is. he does not show IL There are two ways of approaching this match." lie said. "One is to say. oh no. this is the opening match of the European Championship and th feel under pressure.
The second is to think, oh yes. it s great lo be here fn front of millions of television viewers. "It's good for our image. The second is my approach."