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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.
"The police force put a helicopter at our disposal, which was very kind," Deschamps said Saturday. "Otherwise you (the media) wouldn't have seen Hugo Lloris."
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. "It's down to us to adapt."
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