Austria v France: Newcastle United fans' reasons to watch Euro 2024

We are going to be breaking down every reason to watch the first round of group games in Euro 2024 from a Newcastle United perspective covering players who play, have played or have been linked to Newcastle.

There will be a few tenuous links as we cover some games, but we will justify every selection.

Obviously, once the first round of fixtures is done there's no real point in doing more as every Nation will have been covered at least once.

Austria take on France in the 8pm kick-off and despite Newcastle's long history with French players the list is light this time.

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Kevin Danso was quizzed about a move to Newcastle last year

Austria defender Kevin Danso was linked with Newcastle last summer to the point where he was even questioned by the media over his reported £35million move to Tyneside, and while he dropped a hint that it could happen, saying he was looking to play in the Champions League, the move never got beyond speculation.

Newcastle United used to have many French players on their books as our scouts went over the Channel to find promising stars for little money, but that route isn't as well worn these days which is why I've only found four players from the France squad with solid Newcastle links. Well, three and one that's just a bit of fun.

The fun one being Antoine Griezmann who we all know by now guided Newcastle to five titles on Football Manager with Kylian Mbappe as his main man. Griezmann is up for grabs this summer and we still think Newcastle should make a move.

Adrien Rabiot is back on the market and Newcastle are still keen

Adrien Rabiot is a name that was constantly in the media last summer along with Newcastle as the Juventus winger stalled over a new contract. Fans were divided over whether we should even bother given his reported bad attitude. In the end, Rabiot signed up for another year at Juve but that's now coming to an end and Newcastle are once again one of the names in the frame for the 29-year-old. Let's see how he gets on at the Euros.

Last year the media were trying to suggest that Newcastle would make a 'sensational summer swoop' for Ousmane Dembele. It never felt likely and indeed, never was.

Back in the days of Allan Saint-Maximin, Newcastle were constantly linked with a move for his best mate, Marcus Thuram and when that failed to materialise, the focus shifted to his brother Khephren. Neither Thuram really came close to signing for Newcastle and now ASM is gone, so too are those links.