PARIS -- It will be a Euro unlike any we've ever seen.
Saturday's draw at Paris' Palais des Congres was held in a militarized and sombre atmosphere. Four weeks and one day earlier, heavily armed terrorists had sown havoc and murder, reminding Parisians us of the fragility inherent in the world we inhabit.
There was no symbolic empty seat left in the hall for the most illustrious absentee, UEFA President Michel Platini. He campaigned hard for the competition to be held in France, his home country, 32 years after they last hosted the tournament and he led them to their first ever major championship.