French police and troops are gearing up for their biggest security challenge since the deadly Nov. 13 attacks across Paris last year, as thousands of fans mass in the French capital for Sunday's European Championship final. Security forces have three key venues to protect when France plays Portugal: The Stade de France stadium hosting the final - targeted by suicide bombers last year, the 92,000-capacity Fan Zone in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, and the Champs-Elysees boulevard, which will likely be swamped with fans after the match. Troops have been patrolling the streets of Paris for months in the aftermath of two deadly attacks by Islamic extremists last year. As Portugal and France fans wandered along the Champs-Elysees on Saturday they passed army trucks and machine gun-toting troops. (For more sportsnews andupdates, followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebookatAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/232792.aspx
