PARIS (AP) " France coach Didier Deschamps and captain Hugo Lloris made sure they got to an early news conference on time " by taking a helicopter. Ahead of Sunday's quarterfinal against Iceland, France held its pre-match conference at Stade de France to 11 a.m " much earlier than usual. In a bid to protect the Stade de France pitch, France is doing pre-match training at its Clairefontaine camp on the outskirts of Paris, meaning a helicopter trip back, too. "I understand the need to take a maximum of precautions (with regards to the pitch)," Deschamps said. "The police force put a helicopter at our disposal, which was very kind," Deschamps said Saturday.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 02, 2016 10:30 UTC