French Grand Master Christian Bauer regards the Armenian national team (2631) as a clear favorite in this rapid match against the national team of France (2627). The match will be held in Paris on June 24-25.

Armenia is the clear favorite in this match, having a higher ELO average", shared Christian Bauer. "However, in such events it all comes to team spirit and current form. This kind of event is always nice and welcome, both for the players and the spectators, as rapid games are usually attractive and pleasant to follow. I expect entertaining chess!"

Chessdom.com quotes Christian Bauer.
This will be the first event for GM Bauer after the successful campaign in the French Top 16, where he managed to lead his team to a historical fifth place.
Armenian team will include Olympic champions Levon Aronian (2754),, Vladimir Akopian(2696, Gabriel Sargissian(2660), Tigran L. Petrosian(2600) and Artashes Minasian (2566).

The composition of the French team is as follows: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave(2684), Laurent Fressinet (2664), Joel Lautier(2657) and Christian Bauer(2605).
The organizer of the match is French company Modd' Ailleurs (responsible: Vartan Kaprielian) together with Chess Federations of Armenia and France