Blanc hails Germany as role model for France

Donetsk (Ukraine): France coach Laurent Blanc said his team should follow Germany`s example when they take on Ukraine Friday in the Euro 2012 group stage.

Germany are on the verge of qualifying for the quarterfinals after two wins in their first two games, a 1-0 win over Portugal last Saturday and a 2-1 defeat of the Netherlands Wednesday. "I think, the best game so far was between Netherlands and Germany," Blanc said. "I am going to say to the players, let`s use the example of Germany and they`re going to say `Yes, yes, we`ve seen Germany play and they`re great." “In the opening game against England, which ended in a 1-1 draw after Samir Nasri cancelled out Joleon Lescott`s opener, ‘sleepy’ France was lucky not to go behind early on”, Blanc added. "We could have been 2-0 down after 25 minutes and it would`ve been very difficult to come back.But the goal woke us up and tomorrow I hope we`ll be awake from the first second of the match." England play Sweden in Friday`s other game. IANS