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Montpellier confirmed as Italy's Euro 2016 HQ

AFP
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Montpellier confirmed as Italy's Euro 2016 HQ
Camp Italy will be based in Montpellier for the Euro 2016 championships. Photo: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP

The Italian football federation (FIGC) on Monday confirmed Montpellier as Italy's base for the 2016 European Championships to be held in France this summer.

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Italy, beaten in the 2012 final by Spain, will use the facilities of French Ligue 1 club Montpellier and lodge at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel during their stay in the south of France, said a FIGC statement.
   
"We are totally satisfied with the quality of the facilities, which will allow the national team coach and the squad to work in optimal conditions," said FIGC president Carlo Tavecchio.
   
Italy coach Antonio Conte visited the facilities during a fact-finding mission in recent months and gave his thumbs-up to bosses at the FIGC.
   
The Azzurri will also benefit from a sizeable Italian contingent which is based in the south of France, according to Tavecchio.
   
"We already feel there are strong links between the city and the national team thanks to the warm welcome we were given by the local authorities, the professionalism and availability of Montpellier FC and the presence of the city's large Italian community," he added.
   
"I'm convinced that all these factors combined can only help reinforce the squad's enthusiasm."
   
Italy were drawn in Group E of the Euro 2016 finals alongside Belgium, the Republic of Ireland and Sweden and will be desperate to progress after their latest World Cup disaster.
   
For the second successive edition, four-time world champions Italy failed to qualify for the second round of the World Cup when it was held in Brazil in 2014, prompting the resignation of coach Cesare Prandelli.
   
Italy, who finished top of their group in qualifying, kick off the 2016 finals against Belgium in Lyon, before taking on Sweden in Toulouse and the Republic of Ireland in Lille.

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