Hosts France carry the weight of expectation on their shoulders ahead of Euro 2016, and they will have to do without striker Karim Benzema who was omitted from the squad over an alleged attempt to blackmail Mathieu Valbuena

After two years of friendlies, France go into Euro 2016 carrying an unusual weight of expectations as hosts.

The last two major tournaments held on French soil - Euro 1984 and the 1998 World Cup - both went the way of 'Les Bleus'.

Didier Deschamps lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy in the Stade de France in 1998 and he will be hoping to lead his young squad to glory this year.

SOUNDBITE: (French) Didier Deschamps, France coach:

"The new generation of players has flaws but also many good qualities. I believe we need to focus on their qualities. This French national team is rather young, but these young players play for the best clubs in Europe. It is a good thing. The less I have to intervene the better, if I have to, I do it for the team."

A new generation of French players has emerged in recent years with N'Golo Kante helping Leicester City to their stunning English Premier League triumph and Dimitri Payet also winning plenty of admirers in his first season at West Ham.Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and French Footballer of the Year Blaise Matuidi have all had good domestic seasons as has captain Hugo Lloris who says being host nation won't affect the team

SOUNDBITE: (English) Hugo Lloris, France goalkeeper:

"Of course there is expectation because the French nation is a big nation of football and the last two home competitions the French national team won, but I think it'll be easier to talk about that after the competition. We just need to really focused on each game."

France begin their campaign in Group A against Romania in the Stade de France on 10th June