Nike has unveiled France’s all new home and away kits which the players will adorn in the UEFA Euro 2016 this summer. France will be looking to win their first European Championship since 2000 when they had beaten Italy in the finals via a David Trezeguet Golden Goal.
The eye-catching and utterly modern kit are Nike’s all new ‘Vapor’ designs and is made of the same template as that of England’s kit.
The new home shirt features a cobalt-blue body inspired from the classic French blue. On the shoulders and sleeves is a darker shade of blue, giving the kit a modern touch. There are engineered knit zones on the chest forming a geometric pattern which enhances the fit, with smaller mesh shapes completing the graphic at the bottom.
The French Football Federation (FFF) crest is heat pressed on the chest along with the Nike swoosh, both of which are white. ‘France’ is knitted on the back collar and the words ‘Fierte’ (Pride) and ‘Bleu’ (Blue) take their position on the inside cuffs.
There is a hexagonal graphic on the inside of the body representing the diverse and multicultural composition of modern-France. It is framed by the message “Nos Differences Nous Unissent” (Our Differences Unite Us).
Black trims highlight the V-collar which also runs down the sides of the shirt. Matching shorts and red socks complete the kit.
The all new Vapor Kits with AeroSwift technology have been used by Nike. The kit is 10 percent lighter, is 50 percent more stretchable, wicks sweat 20 percent quicker and dries 25 percent faster than Nike’s most recent football kits.
Nike have gone ahead with a bold and strikingly modern away kit. Primarily white, the right sleeve and left sleeve are blue and red coloured respectively, resembling the colours of the French flag. The away kit features the same innovations as the home kit but bears the ‘Tricolore’ theme.
“Speed is such an integral part of the modern game,” said Blaise Matuidi, the French midfielder.
“As an athlete, you are always looking to gain a competitive edge. These new kits feel different than anything I have ever worn before,” he added.
France go into this year’s Euros as the host nation. Their team, which looks strong on paper, is untested though as they have not played any qualifying matches on the road to the tournament. Didier Deschamp’s men are, however, one of the favourites and will be looking to lift the coveted Euro trophy on home soil.
