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France World Cup 2006 Team Profile

John Duerden

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It has been a rough few years for the French - a ride that reminds all football fans that the greatest game in the world can be a cruel and fickle mistress.

Champions of the world in 1998, Les Bleus confirmed their class by lifting the European version two years later but from such lofty pinnacles; there is only one way to go.

Everyone remembers the trial of 2002 when the title holders failed to score against Senegal, Denmark and Uruguay and were soon on their way back home. The sight of a strapped and unfit Zinedine Zidane returning in the last game in a vain and desperate attempt to drive his team to the second round was a sorry one for French fans.

After relinquishing their grip on the world trophy rather easily, it was a determined team that made the short trip to Portugal to defend their continental crown. It started in high drama as Zidane scored two late, late goals to snatch an unlikely win against an English team that perhaps showed the French too much respect.

In truth, the team was an aging one and couldn't be compared to the all-conquering side that featured Blanc, Petit, Deschamps and Desailly. Zidane was still class but lacked the presence and mobility of his youth and a quarter-final defeat at the hands of eventual champions Greece was not quite as disappointing as feeble performance, one that suggested that changes had to be made.

Jacques Santini was soon on his way out to be replaced by Raymond Domenech, a coach that has struggled to command the respect of fans and the media but a man that controls a team that his still formidable.

After being drawn in a tough qualifying group, the French didn't always show their class on the pitch but emerged at the top of the group after a number of fighting performances.

Any team that contains such players as Zinedine Zidane, Lilian Thuram, Claude Makelele, Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, David Trezeguet and William Gallas is one that is always going to have a chance to succeed on the global stage - especially with the action taking place just over the border.

Key Players

Thierry Henry

The striker needs no introduction - year after year Henry continues to be one of the most feared forwards on the planet. Like his team-mates, the Arsenal man didn't enjoy Korea in 2002 but he will be able to get his revenge on the Asian team in Leipzig on June 18.

Fast, skilful, direct with an eye for goal, there is little defenders can do if the 28-year-old is on top of his game and that will be the hope of the rest of Group G. Henry wasn't at his best during qualifying and without his skill, France look much less dangerous.

Zinedine Zidane

Many French fans point to the injury that ZZ picked up in a friendly against South Korea just before the 2002 World Cup started as the reason for the nightmare that ensued - the memory of an ineffective, heavily-strapped talisman returning in vain for the final game.

Zidane retired after 2004 but delighted his compatriots by returning for one final hurrah. The Real Madrid star will be 34 on the day of the final group game against Togo. He is not so involved in defending these days but many French attacks go through him.

World Cup Squad

Bet on the World Cup

Goalkeepers Fabien Barthez (Olympique Marseille), Gregory Coupet (Olympique Lyon), Mickael Landreau (Nantes).
Defenders Eric Abidal (Olympique Lyon), Jean-Alain Boumsong (Newcastle United), Pascal Chimbonda (Wigan Athletic), William Gallas (Chelsea), Gael Givet (Monaco) Willy Sagnol (Bayern Munich), Mikael Silvestre (Manchester United), Lilian Thuram (Juventus).
Midfielders Vikash Dhorasoo (Paris St Germain), Alou Diarra (Racing Lens), Claude Makelele (Chelsea), Florent Malouda (Olympique Lyon), Patrick Vieira (Juventus), Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid).
Forwards Djibril Cisse (Liverpool), Thierry Henry (Arsenal), Franck Ribery (Olympique Marseille), Louis Saha (Manchester United), David Trezeguet (Juventus), Sylvain Wiltord (Olympique Lyon).

France World Cup 2010 Profile

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