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‘I hope to emulate ’98 and ’00 heroes’

Olivier Giroud hopes to become the latest in a long line of great French strikers to fire his country to glory at this summer's European Championship.

The 29-year-old enters the tournament as Les Bleus’ leading scorer with 17 goals, including three in their warm-up games against Cameroon and Scotland.

Giroud grew up watching Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet win the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, and would love to emulate their success on home soil.

"We want to make our French fans proud this summer"

Olivier Giroud

“I was only 11 [in 1998] and it was one of my best memories as a fan of the French national team,” he told Arsenal Player. “It was fantastic for all the French people to win the World Cup, especially at home. That’s why we want to make our French fans proud this summer.

“It was the continuity of the World Cup [when they went to Euro 2000]. They confirmed their great form and almost kept the exact same squad. It is always difficult to win again two years afterwards, but they did very well with a fantastic scenario against Italy at the end of the final.

“I remember the pass from Robert Pires to Sylvain Wiltord, and then the pass to David Trezeguet who found the top-left corner. I couldn’t forget this goal.

Olivier Giroud

Olivier Giroud

“I also remember watching David Ginola, Eric Cantona, Jean-Pierre Papin and strikers like that. I was looking to become a striker. I remember very good players like them, and also Thierry Henry, Trezeguet and Anelka too. We’ve always had very good strikers.

“It’s a great feeling [to be representing France in front of our home fans] and we’re all looking forward to that. We want to do well in front of our own fans so we’re going to do everything we can to bring the trophy back home.”

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