May 20 – With league seasons over in Europe and Cup finals being played, attention is rapidly switching to the big international tournaments of the 2016 Euros, Copa America Centenario and the Olympic Games in Rio. One tournament that kicked off in Euros host nation France this week was the 2016 Toulon Tournament.
Now in its 44th edition, the Toulon Tournament is played by (for the most part) U21 teams and is being used by several of the participants as preparation for the 2016 Summer Olympics. The tournament is played through to end May.
The Toulon Tournament is not officially recognised by UEFA but nevertheless attracts a number of Europe’s leading nations, as well as teams from other confederations. It has showcased players in the past who have gone on to become some of the world’s best, and generally is a strong indicator of what national teams will have to offer in future years.
This year’s tournament has seen opening wins for France, England, Czech Republic and Paraguay in the 10 team tournament.
France are against the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Mali and Mexico (who they beat 2-1) in Group A.
England opened Group B with a 1-0 win over traditionally strong Portugal. They will face Japan, Paraguay and Guinea (who last their opener 3-1 to the Portuguese).
Although primarily a development tournament England Under-21s boss Gareth Southgate expects to be competitive. “It’s difficult to know [what to expect], but the discussion is can we do better than we have in the last two years, which is fourth? Can we win it?” he said.
“The reality is we don’t know too much about the opposition, one or two may go a bit younger but we know Japan are taking their Olympic squad so they’ll be a lot older and will have played a lot more together.”
Southgate is taking some already much-talked about Premier League talent who have already combined to give England an opening win. A Lewis Baker goal was enough to see off Portugal. The Chelsea midfielder, back from a season-long loan with Dutch team Vitesse Arnhem, converted a cross from Stamford Bridge team-mate Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
France are the current champions. They beat Morocco in last years’s final, though Morocco’s Walid El Karti was named Player of the Tournament.
The tournament is being live streamed and can be watched PPV via FuboTV.
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