Blanc should stay with France: Benzema

Donetsk, June 24 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Striker Karim Benzema said Sunday that French football coach Laurent Blanc deserves a contract extension despite Euro 2012 elimination.

Two goals from Xabi Alonso handed reigning champions Spain a 2-0 Euro 2012 victory over France in the quarter-final Saturday, with France registering just one shot on target.

France arrived at Euro 2012 with an unbeaten run that ended after 23 games with a 2-0 group stage defeat to Sweden.

Blanc's contract expires after the tournament and he has said he wants to stay.

"I hope Blanc remains the head of the team. He knows all the players and we know his demands," Benzema said.

Blanc deserved praise for leading France out of a difficult group that also contained England and Ukraine, Benzema said.

Benzema, 24, has scored 15 times in 24 games for France since 2007, but failed to find the net at Euro 2012.

Blanc, 46, succeeded Raymond Domenech as France coach in 2010 on a two-year deal.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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