By: mongu - 12th June 2002 at 13:46
RE: France–kicked out!!
Germany??
I think they will have an easy ride to the quarter finals. I worked out about a week ago that they would probably play Portugal there.
So anyone fancy an England vs. Germany final?
As long as the Japs give us two bars of the anthem as per usual we’ll win!
By: Hand87_5 - 12th June 2002 at 10:57
RE: France–kicked out!!
I’m affraid you’re right Squasher.
They gonna win this one again.
By: squasher - 12th June 2002 at 10:03
RE: France–kicked out!!
Germany, guys- watch out for the Krauts !!!! They are looking great in offence and defence and best for them nobody is taking them seriously.
I hear the odds on them winning are 14:1 great for betting people.
By: Snowman - 12th June 2002 at 09:21
RE: France–kicked out!!
Without any reasons? Erm, two trophies in 2 years….?
I admit that there was a huge feeling of complacency in France before the tournament, which really shocked me when I went over there on holidays earmier this yar. And to be fair, we played so badly, we cannot complain about the outcome.
The good thing is that it’ll get rid of all the casual glory riders who do not really care that much about football and who were starting to take over from more hardcore supporters.
And how can we appreciate victory if we forget about the taste of defeat?
The only downside is the utterly predictable feelings of rabid anti-French bilge emanating from some quarters (as bad as the anti-English feelings one sometimes comes across in France). But it is the preserve of some rather unsavoury individuals.
Thnakfully, other people can be gracious in victory, in defeat and in offering commiserations, which is always very pleasant when your team have been humiliated.
By: KabirT - 12th June 2002 at 06:01
RE: France–kicked out!!
i agree with you there Frank!
By: frankvw - 11th June 2002 at 18:22
RE: France–kicked out!!
Well, just a pity they didn’t loose 3-0, we then could have sung “Et un, et deux, et trois – zéro!” }>
The french out there will understand… I was a bit fed up of hearing most of them telling us “we are world champion” all the time, and without apparent reason!
By: Snowman - 11th June 2002 at 16:27
RE: France–kicked out!!
Yes the very same. He has been known to be a tad suspect in defense at times due to his inexperience, but at least he is full of beans.
Lizaru is getting on a bit, though I thought he was pretty hard in tackle today.
Candela is not bad but he IS dodgy in defense. He seems to forget he is there to defend and runs forward at every opportunity. Seeing that there is not always another player covering for him, it’s not the most solid defensive solution. And he is prone to comitting the odd costly foul.
I think Lemerre went for players with a proven track record at international level; hence Petit’s selection rather than Makelelé’s.
No doubt the next French squad will comprise a lot more new faces.
By: mongu - 11th June 2002 at 15:57
RE: France–kicked out!!
Snowman
Do you mean the Silvestre who plays for Man Utd?
Hmmm…he has potential but I’m not convinced. Certainly not as a left back, I think Lizarazu is still a better player. Would probably do a better job at centre half than Lebouef though!
I also think Candela is a useful player – how versatile do you think he is? Now you mention it, Makelele has impressed me alongside Zidane this season, yet France didn’t make maximum use of him. Was he unfit?
By: Snowman - 11th June 2002 at 15:52
RE: France–kicked out!!
>Poor France……who am I kidding when Denmark scored I was
>cheering as loud as I could. }> Also GO ON IRELAND 2-0!!!!
Beware… what goes around, comes around!
By: Saab 2000 - 11th June 2002 at 15:51
RE: France–kicked out!!
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-06-02 AT 04:02 PM (GMT)]Poor France……who am I kidding when Denmark scored I was cheering as loud as I could. }> Also GO ON IRELAND 3-0!!!!
By: Glenn - 11th June 2002 at 13:03
RE: France–kicked out!!
Shame, but this world cup is really up for GRABS. Portugal IMO are the dark horse I think.
By: Snowman - 11th June 2002 at 11:29
RE: France–kicked out!!
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-06-02 AT 11:30 AM (GMT)]A lot of French supporters share your opinion about Leboeuf. I cannot say I have as bad an opinion as most (though there might be some bias as he is the captain of the team I support).
It is obvious that Lemerre values experience more than promising players. But he should perhaps have gambled on some of the emerging talent, such as Cissé and possibly other young stars in defense, such as Sylvestre or Mexès who also plays for Auxerre.
Pires is an outstanding player but with all due respect, he is not in the same league as Zidane. With a fit Zidane the team would probably have played much better football. We were crying out for a creative player though and I agree that Pires would have helped on that front.
But for too many players, it seemed to be a case of their hearts not being in it. We played like Brazil did in the 98 final. A shadow of the team everyone expected. Can’t have too many complaints. And not a single goal to our name, despite having the top scorers in three European leagues… Funny old game…
By: mongu - 11th June 2002 at 11:14
RE: France–kicked out!!
It all went wrong for Les Bleus when Robert Pires was injured. Talk about Zidane, but Pires was really on form and could have replaced Zidane as the creative spark.
What I cannot fathom is how France persisted with players like Desailly (too old) and, especially, Lebouef (useless). Surely there are better French defenders?
If I was the coach, I would have played Thuram in central defence to replace Lebouef. Not his best position, but he is nontheless a good defender.
By: seahawk - 11th June 2002 at 10:51
RE: France–kicked out!!
Well Dutchy perhaps you did not make it to the World Cup ??
Adieus les bleues. 😛 }>
By: Dutchy - 11th June 2002 at 10:15
RE: France–kicked out!!
Ah well,
only the 3rd time in history that a team which won the first edition didn’t make it to the secound round.
I can say that we haven’t lost a match in Japan or South Korea didn’t even get socered a goal against us.
regards,
jw
By: Snowman - 11th June 2002 at 10:14
RE: France–kicked out!!
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-06-02 AT 10:15 AM (GMT)]What happened in case you haven’t seen the game or read the papers is that he was blatantly not a 100% fit. And a half-fit player, who has not had a game for weeks cannot, on his own, lift an entire team, genius though he might be.
He still showed skills, touches and vision that only a handful of players actually posess. It was too much to ask at this stage though. Things are going to have to change in the French set up and this one was one World Cup too many for France.
Though it pains me to say so, France deserved to go out. It’s the end of the road for this team but what a beautiful journey it’s been…
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June 11, 2002 at 10:05 am