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EURO 2016

Euro 2016 gave France billion euro boost to struggling economy

Hosting the Euro 2016 football tournament cost France less than €200 million ($211 million) but brought some €1.22 billion into the country, according to figures released by the ministry of sports Tuesday.

Euro 2016 gave France billion euro boost to struggling economy
Photo:AFP

There was controversy over the public funds poured into the tournament, with some 24 million euros — double the expected cost — spent on security in light of an increased terrorist threat.

The state spent a further 160 million euros on building and renovating venues for the June and July event, while private funds and tournament organiser UEFA covered the remaining costs.

But Euro 2016 brought 1.221 billion euros into the country both in tourism and spending directly related to the organisation of the tournament, according to data compiled by the Centre of the Law and Economics of Sport at Limoges University (CDES) and the consultancy firm Keneo.

In calculating the figures, researchers took into account the loss from potential tourists who would have stayed away from France to avoid the tournament, as well as the state funds which could have been used elsewhere had they not been set aside for venues.

The average tournament visitor spent 154 euros a day, with most of that going on accommodation and eating out, the study said, with tourism providing a 625.8 million euro boost to the country.

UEFA spent some 360 million euros on organising the tournament in the country, while 24 participating teams gave the economy a 34.9 million euro boost.

Accredited persons for the event spent 34.8 million euros while in the country, and sponsors 22.6 million euros, according to the figures.

Last January the CDES predicted Euro 2017 would bring in 1.266 billion euros in additional expenditure, or 0.1 percent of France's GDP.

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EURO 2016

‘Disappointment is immense’ laments French coach

France wasted a "big chance" to become champions of Europe, says their coach Didier Deschamps.

'Disappointment is immense' laments French coach
Photo: AFP

France coach Didier Deschamps said his team had wasted “a big chance” to become Euro 2016 champions after falling 1-0 to Portugal in Sunday's final.

“The disappointment is there and it's immense,” Deschamps told French television channel M6 at Stade de France.

“We've let a big chance to be champions pass us by.”

France were hoping to win a record-equalling third European Championship, after previous successes in 1984 and 2000, and a third tournament on home soil after Euro 1984 and the 1998 World Cup.

Deschamps, who is under contract until 2018, was France captain in 1998 and 2000 and was bidding to emulate Germany's Berti Vogts by winning a European Championship as a player and coach.

“There are no words to describe this feeling,” he added. “You need time to digest it. We suffered together, we won together, and in the end we lose together. It's difficult, but it's like that.

“It would have been magnificent to offer our fans this trophy, at home. But it's not the case in the end.”

Portugal lost talismanic captain Cristiano Ronaldo to a first-half knee injury, but prevailed courtesy of an extra-time goal by substitute Eder, who plays for French club Lille.

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