Paris (AFP)

Euro-2020 should have started on Friday, but the pandemic has postponed its launch to June 11, 2021. By then, the organizers will have to review their copy, the selectors reshape their staff and the supporters rebuild a plan of battle to cross Europe.

- Host cities to be confirmed -

On 17 March, faced with the spread of the coronavirus, UEFA resolved to postpone the 16th edition of the European Nations Championship by one year, initially scheduled for the summer of 2020 in twelve cities.

Between economic crisis and calendar problems, doubts have arisen on the capacity of a "reduced number" of host cities to maintain their commitment in 2021, according to the European football authority which is to decide in the Executive Committee on June 17 and 18 the final list of stadiums selected.

As for the Blues, the postponement should not complicate the task from an organizational point of view.

"On the contrary, it will make it possible to refine, the dossier was almost ready," explains the president of the French Federation Noël Le Graët. "In principle, the organization will remain the same since the cities remain the same. There is no reason to upset everything," he told AFP. Didier Deschamps' men must compete in their first round in Munich and Budapest, where football has already taken over.

- A calendar to review -

In the fall, it will be necessary to cohabit the play-offs for the Euro which were postponed at the end of March, with the matches of the League of Nations, a bi-annual competition supposed to be held during the seasons without major tournaments or qualifications.

UEFA is working on various scenarios and the federations were able to give their opinion, as early as April. At the time, a project held the rope: two days of League of Nations in September, October and then November, and roadblocks at the beginning of October and November. This solution has the particular advantage of "preserving the program of the League of Nations vis-à-vis broadcasters" and "facilitating the organization" of the dams, reported UEFA in a document consulted by AFP.

But if it is confirmed, this calendar will result, among other things, in pitting in the League of Nations the Portuguese European champions and the French world champions ... while the two teams must also compete at first round of the next Euro!

- Staff to be reshaped -

The coaches had almost completed their list of players for the Euro, they are forced to submit the work on the job.

The new deal benefits the seriously injured (Ousmane Dembélé, Memphis Depay ...) and, to a lesser extent, weakened players like the Belgian Eden Hazard (tibia), the promising Italian winger Nicolo Zaniolo (knee) or even the defender German Niklas Süle (knee).

The young shoots of the Old Continent also gain an additional year to win the selection. Among the Blues, this concerns Mattéo Guendouzi and Jonathan Ikoné, already called, but also the contenders Marcus Thuram, Christopher Nkunku, Eduardo Camavinga, Houssem Aouar or Moussa Dembélé.

Conversely, aging thirties have concerns to worry about.

In June 2021, the French world champions Blaise Matuidi and Olivier Giroud will be 34 years old. Goalkeeper Steve Mandanda will have 36, as will the Portuguese megastar Cristiano Ronaldo.

If the Juventus striker should be, except physical glitch, this will not necessarily be true for his compatriot Pepe (38 years old next year) ...

- Supporters, everything to do again -

For supporters, attending the Euro broke out in twelve countries was an obstacle course. With the postponement, UEFA gives them the option of keeping their tickets or obtaining a refund.

"The feedback on the ticket refund procedure is good" and there have been "very, very few requests," said Ronan Evain, director general of the Football Supporters Europe (FSE) network.

Regarding canceled trips, however, "it's a bit of a lottery" from one country to another, he told AFP. "It depends on the airlines and the countries we should go to," he said, referring to "difficulties with St. Petersburg and Baku" as well as with the airline EasyJet.

Supporters are now awaiting confirmation from the host cities next week.

"If we have formal confirmation at that time, it is completely acceptable and reasonable," said Mr. Evain, who was "reasonably optimistic" about the presence of the public in the stadiums in the summer of 2021. " The uncertainty will still weigh a moment, but we will learn to deal with it, "he concludes.

© 2020 AFP