Euro 2016 kicks off with a glittering opening ceremony

Euro 2016 kicked off in French capital Paris on Friday with a glittering opening ceremony where EDM artist and DJ David Guetta will be performing later this evening alongside Swede Zara Larsson.

Euro 2016 kicked off in French capital Paris on Friday with a glittering opening ceremony where EDM artist and DJ David Guetta will be performing later this evening alongside Swede Zara Larsson.

Supporters of France before the Euro 2016 Group A football match between France and Romania, at the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, north of Paris. (REUTERS)

Didier Deschamps’ France team start the Euro 2016 finals against Romania on Friday with the country grappling with strike chaos but among the favourites to win the trophy.

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The nation is counting on the team to repeat the feats of the French sides that won Euro 84 and the 1998 World Cup on home soil. However, World Cup holders Germany, defending champions Spain and England’s young stars are all out to block Les Bleus.

The European Championship has expanded to 24 nations this year, including Albania, Wales, Iceland, Northern Ireland and Slovakia.

As it happened

12:25: 

The teams are out in the middle. Follow the match live: read.ht/BGQW

12:22 am: 

David Guetta is performing at the opening ceremony of Euro 2016.

(Reuters Photo)

11:30 pm: 

Lineups for Friday’s match between France and Romania at the Stade de France are announced:

Read | ‘We’re not scared’: France fans throng stadium before Euro 2016 kick off