Didier Deschamps speaks about his disappointment of not winning Euro

Paris, July 11: France manager Didier Deschamps was on the cusp of creating history last night (July 10) as he could have become the first person to win the Euro Cup both as a captain and a manager.

Deschamps lead the French side which lifted the Euro trophy in 2000. It could have been a historic night for the Frenchman but it turned out to be a night of disappointment.

France lost 0-1 to 'underdogs' Portugal courtesy a goal from Eder in the 109th minute. They were so near yet so far from the coveted trophy.

After losing the final speaking to uefa.com, the French manager said: "We threw away a great chance to be European champions. Of course, the overriding emotion is huge disappointment. It's cruel to lose the final like that. I have to congratulate Portugal.

"Clearly, we had our opportunities and we weren't clinical enough. We weren't cool-headed enough, but I can't hold anything against my players. They gave everything tonight. I don't think we played with the brakes on by any means.

The 48-year-old, who had won the Fifa World Cup in 1998 as French captain on home soil and the Euro 2000 crown two years later, further added: "I'm sad for my players. There are no words to comfort them. It's tough, real tough. It's hard also for the fans who wanted that trophy so much.

"We'd have loved to win this trophy for the fans. There are positives, but it's hard to see them at the moment. Everything we've experienced over the past few weeks and months has been positive so I'm just disappointed we couldn't win this trophy for the millions of fans," he said.

"I'm not going to think about myself tonight. I'll need some time to digest this, just like the players."

OneIndia