BSP-12 World Cup fever mounts as France turns on the TV

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World Cup fever mounts as France turns on the TV

PARIS, June 2, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Over 7.6 million viewers tuned in to
French television’s TF1 to see France thump Italy 3-1 in Nice in their second
World Cup warm up game, according to figures released on Saturday.

The Friday evening prime time slot featuring a sumptuous goal from
Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele only just edged out Monday’s viewing figures
of 6.9 million who tuned in to watch France beat Ireland 2-0 in a deluge.

Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti grabbed the opening goal before Italy
cut the deficit before the break through Leonardo Bonucci.

French poster boy and playground favourite Antoine Griezmann, also reported
to be joining Barcelona, added a second from the penalty spot before
Dembele’s lob stole the show.

TF1 will show 28 World Cup games from the World Cup which gets underway in
two weeks across Russia.

Before that Didier Deschamps’ France host the United States, who failed to
qualify for the 2018 World Cup, next Saturday in Lyon in their final warm up
game.

BSS/AFP/ARS/1626 hrs