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Champions in buoyant mood
The defending champions, France will be hoping that their
performance in Portugal is a repeat of that in EURO 2000 -
and not the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals, when they departed
without scoring a single goal.
Easy qualification
If they reproduce the form that enabled them to qualify from
Group 1, though, then another trophy could be within their
grasp. Drawn with Slovenia, Israel, Cyprus and Malta, they
proved as superior to their opponents on grass as they had
appeared on paper, and clinched first place without dropping
a point.
World-class talent
As star-studded as any team in Portugal, France are in the
enviable position of being able to leave world-class talent
on the bench. They have even been able to thrive after the
international retirements of Franck Leboeuf, Youri Djorkaeff,
Christophe Dugarry and Emmanuel Petit.
Strong defence
Fabien Barthez in goal is constantly challenged by the highly-rated
Grégory Coupet, while the first-choice defence of Lilian
Thuram, captain Marcel Desailly - who has won more than 100
caps - Mikaël Silvestre and Bixente Lizarazu has AJ Auxerre
duo Jean-Alain Boumsong and Philippe Mexès among its
back-up.
Tactical options
Further forward, France's embarrassment of riches gives coach
Jacques Santini a number of tactical options - he can play
a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2. Claude Makelele, Patrick Vieira and Olivier
Dacourt are masters in the holding positions behind Zinedine
Zidane, who plays in a more central role than he does at Real
Madrid CF. Robert Pires and Sylvain Wiltord can be called
upon to provide width, although Zidane's free role means he
too spends much time on the flanks.
Powerful strike force
Unlike when they won the 1998 World Cup, France can also now
count on striking talent at the height of their powers with
Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet the usual choices. Henry
plays Arsenal FC with Vieira, Pires and Wiltord and Trezeguet
at Juventus FC alongside Thuram. Steve Marlet and another
rising star from Auxerre, Djibril Cissé, are also in
the frame.
Superb run
It is one thing to have that abundance of talent, but it is
the way they have gelled since the disappointment of Korea/Japan
that have made France strong candidates to retain the UEFA
European Championship. Scoring 16 goals without reply in their
first three home qualifiers against Slovenia, Malta and Cyprus,
and ten with only one conceded in the four Group 1 away wins
is proof of that, as is their impressive victory as hosts
in the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup, maintaining a 100 per
cent record over five fixtures despite fielding a weakened
side.
Coach takes credit
The credit for this can go in no small part to Santini, who
took over the team from Roger Lemerre in 2002 with morale
at a low ebb. His side have proved able to overwhelm opponents
through sheer skill - Zidane is still the pivotal figure he
has been for several years, but their attacking thrust is
even greater than that shown in 1998 or even 2000.
Competitive edge
Even the fact that they have not automatically qualified -
unlike in 2002 - could count in their favour, as some observers
believe France went into Korea/Japan lacking competitive edge
despite their confidence. Their qualifying performances this
time around has kept them in the habit of playing - and winning
- serious internationals.
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