Paris – Euro-2016 / preparation: Netherlands and Europe in the shadow of Johan Cruyff – The Express

The Dutch, febrile a good half hour in the hometown of Cruyff, have conceded goals from Antoine Griezmann (6th) and Olivier Giroud (13th), but rallied in the second half, reducing the mark by Luuk de Jong (47th), however, on a goal scored the arm, before the equalizer by Ibrahim Affelay (86th). Blaise Matuidi gave the victory to France in the wake (88th).

But the context of the meeting was very special: both teams began with a minute of silence in tribute to the victims of the attacks Tuesday in Brussels, whose record is at least 31 dead and 300 wounded. These dramatic events in Brussels revived painful memories, those attacks Paris, 13 November 2015, which had particularly targeted the Stade de France where the Blues faced while Germany (2-0).

Then, just after the goal Giroud pivot after a head Matuidi, the game was interrupted for a minute’s applause at the 14th of the game in memory of legendary N.14 of Ajax Amsterdam and Netherlands, Johan Cruyff, died Thursday as a result of lung cancer at the age of 68.

A chair covered with flowers and famous flocked jersey N.14 had also been at the center of the grandstand of the Amsterdam ArenA, while a huge photo of the player was brandished by spectators.

The offensive talent of the brilliant Dutch, however, has inspired no qualified training for Euro 2016, which begins June 10 in France. Switzerland, host country of future opponent in Group A, has been battered by Eire (1-0) on a realization of Ciaran Clark (2nd), and Slovakia was held in check by Latvia, unskilled (0-0).

As for Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo, the favorite in Group F of the Euro-2016 where he will face Iceland, Austria and Hungary, he lost at home against Bulgaria 1 -0. Marcelinho scored for the Bulgarians (19th) and Portugal failed to return despite rain chances (21 shots, including 11 on target), including his Madrid megastar who missed a penalty (67th).

Other European matches played Friday, Armenia and Belarus played out a 0-0 draw and Bosnia and Herzegovina won 3-0 in Luxembourg.

Result of European friendly matches Friday

Armenia – Belarus 0-0

Luxembourg – Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-3

Netherlands – France 2-3

Eire – Switzerland 1-0

Slovakia – Latvia 0-0

Portugal – Bulgaria 0-1