Euro 2016: India's Rio Olympic bound athletes pick their favourites for the title
Our Indian wrestlers and boxers are training hard to make the country proud in Rio 2016, and have found it difficult to keep up with the football action. However, when Sportskeeda caught up with them for an exclusive chat, they had their say on whom they thought of as favourites for the Euro 2016 title.
Narsingh Yadav, Sandeep Tomar, Vikas Krishan, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik were asked a range of questions, right from their favourite team in the Euros to which member of the Rio contingent would make the best footballer.
Narsingh Yadav and Vikas Krishan are huge Ronaldo fans while Sakshi Malik was backing the hosts and especially Hugo Lloris and Antoine Griezmann to make a huge impact on the tournament. Vinesh Phogat also seems to think Saina Nehwal would make an excellent footballer. There are some interesting replies and some very insightful analysis as well from these athletes.
Read on:
1) Which is your favourite team in Euro 2016?
Narsingh Yadav - I am supporting Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo is one player that I really admire for his dedication towards the sport and his hunger. I really wish Portugal and Ronaldo win the tournament.
Sandeep Tomar - I wanted Germany to win the tournament. I haven't managed to catch a lot of games due to practice but I have become a big fan of the Germans ever since I watched them play in the 2014 World Cup.
Vikas Krishan - Ronaldo and only Ronaldo for me. He has carried Portugal so far and I expect him to outdo himself in the final. He deserves a title for the kind of performances he has put in and I would be rooting for Portugal to go all the way.
Vinesh Phogat - I am not a big football fan but the way Wales played in the tournament was really good. They were the underdogs but their attitude was very positive. They were always fighting. I have really started liking Gareth Bale. He is very fast and and scores some great goals.
Sakshi Malik - France for me. I am rooting for them. I really hope they win the tournament. They have a great team and they showed that they can beat the best against Germany. My favourite player is Antoine Griezmann and Hugo Lloris. Griezmann's speed is amazing and the saves Lloris makes are brilliant to watch.
2) Have you ever played football and if yes do you still play it sometimes?
Narsingh Yadav - I started playing football when I was very young. Started out in the street with a few of my friends. We now play football to warm up before our practice sessions.
Sandeep Tomar - I have played a lot of football with my friends back home in my village. Not a big football fan but I enjoy a small game once in a while.
Vikas Krishan - Football has always been a sport of choice. I have never played it competitively but in school that was the only thing we played.
Vinesh Phogat - I don't really play too much football.
Sakshi Malik - I used to play a bit of football with my brother when I was growing up. Don't really do that now.
3) Which other athlete from the Rio 2016 Indian contingent would make the best footballer and why?
Narsingh Yadav - I think Bajrang Punia (not in the Rio contingent) would make for a good footballer.
Sandeep Tomar - Some of our runners might make for good footballers. They are really fast.
Vikas Krishan - I think Narsingh would make for a good defender. He is not very fast but with the strength he has, I doubt whether a striker will try and go up against him.
Vinesh Phogat - Saina Nehwal's footwork is pretty fast, she can be a good footballer.
Sakshi Malik - Seema Punia's height might make her a good striker just like Giroud.