Intro:

France held its first public training session at the European Championship in a festive atmosphere on Saturday (June 9) - and its first open one at a major tournament since the infamous World Cup strike two years ago in South Africa.

Script:

France held its first public training session at the European Championship in a festive atmosphere on Saturday (June 9) - and its first open one at a major tournament since the infamous World Cup strike two years ago in South Africa.

About 400 people - a mixture of curious locals and pockets of noisy French fans - watched in sunny conditions as the players practiced passing and shooting drills on one of several immaculate grass fields at Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk's vast training complex.

France coach Laurent Blanc even joined in briefly when several players formed a circle and flicked the ball around with one-touch passes.

Blanc replaced former coach Raymond Domenech after the abysmal 2010 World Cup campaign, when the rift between players and fans reached its peak.

France's players shocked a nation by going on strike in protest after striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home.

The move backfired and instead of receiving sympathy for defending their team-mate, the players were widely derided by fans, politicians and former players back home.

Blanc however has steadied the ship and the fans are now fully behind their team which boasts great attacking potential.

Les Bleus kick off their Group D campaign with a mouth-watering clash against England on Monday.