France - Euro 2008 Team Profile

John Duerden reports...

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Road to Switzerland / Austria

France managed to lose twice to Scotland in a tight Group B but still qualified three points behind Italy, gaining a measure if revenge against the 2006 World Cup winners with a 3-1 win in Paris and avoiding defeat with a 0-0 draw in Italy. The two surprise Scottish setbacks, in games France largely dominated, were the only games that the French lost as the rest of the time, Les Bleus back-line was as solid as ever.

Analysis

Since the triumphs of the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 Euro championship, France's record at international tournaments has been mixed. A first-round exit at Korea/Japan 2002 was followed by a quarter-final elimination by Greece in Portugal two years later.

A World Cup final defeat at the hands of the Italians in 2006 showed that the team still has what it takes on the big stage but even in Germany, France was less than 30 minutes away from not making it past the group stage.

So in Switzerland/Austria this summer, who knows what to expect? Les Bleus have the talent to win but could also be heading home along with seven others early on.

The old guard really has gone this time and Zinedine Zidane will not be riding to the rescue in Central Europe as the French take on a tough group.

There is also a fear that the experienced stars that are still around - Patrick Vieira, Theirry Henry and David Trezeguet, who may not make the final squad, for example - are not quite the titans of old.

They are still more than useful though and with much younger talent in the form of Franck Ribery, Karim Benzema and Samir Nasri, France has enough in the locker to compete at the top for some time to come.

At the back, the French are still solid and with a multitude of talents in front of the back line, one still well-marshalled by Lilian Thuram and well-organised by goalkeeper Gregory Coupet, the 1984 and 2000 champions could certainly complete a hat-trick but then&8230;

Key player: Franck Ribery

The 24-year-old has already played at his seventh club and he has shone in the Bundesliga since joining Bayern Munich. It is more of a measure of the player's talent that the decline in the Bundesliga stature when it is said that he will surely soon be playing on an even bigger stage though his value rises all the time.

Ribery makes things happen and France will always be dangerous when he is on the pitch.

One to watch: Karim Benzema

Desired by Manchester United and a host of other big clubs, the 20-year-old has signed a new contract at Lyon and has promised to stay at least another season. The pacy forward with an exquisite touch is good enough already to suggest that Thierry Henry will not be missed when he retires from the international stage.

Coach

Raymond Domenech led the team to second place in the 2006 World Cup and is still in the hotseat. Seems to enjoy winding up the Italians and while he is not the most charismatic of leaders, he is certain to be the source of some interesting quotes over the next few months. He is also not afraid to deflate big egos and there could be one or two surprising selections as he names his squad.

Recent Previous Tournaments

1996: Semi-finals
2000: Winners
2004: Quarter-finals

Soccerphile says .....

France are in "The Group of Death". It's hard to choose which two teams will make it through the quarter-finals. It really will be about who plays well on the day. If France can make it to the knockout stage then Le Bleus can go all the way once again.

Euro 2008 Squad

Bet on Euro 2008

Goalkeepers Gregory Coupet (Lyon), Sebastien Frey (Fiorentina), Steve Mandanda (Marseille)
Defenders Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Jean-Alain Boumsong (Lyon), Francois Clerc (Lyon), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), William Gallas (Arsenal), Willy Sagnol (Bayern Munich), Lilian Thuram (Barcelona), Sebastien Squillaci (Lyon)
Midfielders Lassana Diarra (Portsmouth), Claude Makelele (Chelsea), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon), Patrick Vieira (Inter Milan), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Samir Nasri (Marseille), Florent Malouda (Chelsea)
Forwards Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Karim Benzema (Lyon), Bafetimbi Gomis (St Etienne), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Sidney Govou (Lyon)

Flights To Switzerland / Austria
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