France Team Profile – 2010 World Cup
France – the country, the football
France is a western European country bordered by other countries such as Andorra, Spain, Monaco, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, and Belgium. It is an integral member of the European Union as the co-founder. More than 65,000,000 inhabitants populate this territory which is believed to have been named after the Franks – an ancient tribe.
The French people suffered under the rule of the Romans about 2000 years ago, then under the rule of monarchs, as well as under the effects of poverty, disasters, and several wars throughout their history. Just as the atrocities that were committed by the French during the Black Slavery and the period of colonialism, the 1789 revolution and important personalities like Louis XIV and Napoleon Bonaparte have created France’s distinctive figure in terms of history.
As a result, France’s national anthem ‘La Marseillaise’ is not accepted by every citizen in the country – most of these anti-national anthem supporters having foreign origins. Either way, France’s national football team players continue to praise the country with all of their hearts and souls. Les Bleus’ love for France has seen them lift the World Cup trophy for the first and only time back in 1998, on home soil.
During the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the country will try and go one better than they did four years ago in Germany when “Les Bleus” (as they are called, meaning 'The Blues' in English) lost in the final of the tournament against Marcelo Lippi’s Italy.
France – the road to the 2010 World Cup
France lost only once in the World Cup qualifiers, but this doesn’t mean that they got an easy way out into the finals of the World Cup in South Africa… When the draws for the World Cup qualifiers were made in South Africa back in 2007, France fell in Group Seven with Serbia, Austria, Lithuania, Romania, and the Faroe Islands.
Fans of the 1998 World Cup winners were expecting nothing less than a first place finish for Coach Raymond Domenech’s side. Unfortunately for them, France did not enjoy a perfect start in their campaign. In their first match against Austria, Les Bleus surprisingly lost 3-1 away to Austria only to irritate, humiliate, and frustrate fervent supporters of France’s national team of football.
Despite the fact that the French managed an undefeated run throughout the qualifiers after the 3-1 defeat against Austria, the nation was far from being convinced by the team’s performances. France beat Serbia 2-1 before drawing 2-2 away to Romania. They then picked up three consecutive 1-0 victories but none of them were celebrated by French supporters.
France’s lack of creativity and ability in every area on the field and in front of goal especially pushed fans to demand the sacking of the national team’s manager, Raymond Domenech. For France, it seemed like there was nothing more unacceptable than a narrow 1-0 victory away from the Faroe Islands – who normally suffer overwhelming defeats. There were chances for France to take hold of the first spot even though they were four points behind Serbia on match-day 7.
However, two 1-1 draws on the trot against Romania at home and against the leaders Serbia away blew off France’s hopes and dreams. Therefore, Les Bleus’ 5-0 demolition of the Faroe Islands, and 3-1 win against Austria at the Stade de France in the last rounds of the 2010 World Cup campaign had practically no significance. They had to content themselves as runners-up of Group 7with qualification into the play-off.
Playoffs – Unforgettable moment
As the draws for the playoffs were revealed, France were due to meet the Republic of Ireland at Croke Park before hosting them in Paris.
The first leg of this encounter certainly didn’t live up to expectations in terms of performance. There was nothing really to remember from the game apart from Nicolas Anelka’s lone goal that earned the French a lucky win away from home.
However, the second leg was something different altogether. The intense atmosphere created by fans of both teams as well as Robbie Keane’s single strike during the 90 minutes (which sent the game into extra-time) all contributed in elevating the standard of the match.
It proved to be a real psychological battle, with Giovanni Trapattoni’s Irish men believing so badly in overturning their 1-0 home deficit. After being saved at several occasions by luck, grace, or destiny perhaps, France finally responded to the Republic of Ireland at the other end of the field in the most outrageous and weird way.
Out of a free-kick in the first period of extra-time, Thierry Henry’s visible grabbing of the ball with his arm and his hand set up William Gallas’ match winner. The Republic of Ireland’s players instantly showed their disagreement to the referee as the goal stood but whatever the reason was, no action was taken by the match officials.
When the referee blew the final whistle, it was France’s Les Bleus and all of their fans who were celebrating in ecstasy. Only the guilty man, Thierry Henry, had some sympathy for the Irish after admitting his mistake. The Barcelona forward sat on the field of play in respect and desolation.
However, 
the reality remained a disgusting shock for the Republic of Ireland but a total relief instead for France:
Les Bleus had just escaped the fate of missing out on the finals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa by all means. Afterwards, the Republic of Ireland’s Football Federation (the IFA) demanded FIFA for a replay but despite Thierry Henry’s agreement to that suggestion, they Irish never got their wish granted.
It was decided that France’s place in the finals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa was sealed. Meanwhile, as FIFA’s idea of adding the Republic of Ireland as a 33rd team in the competition collapsed, the Irish’s disqualification was confirmed.
France – 2010 World Cup group stages
Whether France forced, cheated, or deserved their way through to the finals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa will always continue to create neverending debates. What is clear is that Les Bleus will be participating in the tournament in June.
After falling in Group A, they will be playing their first three matches against Uruguay, South Africa, and Mexico respectively.
Match-day One – Uruguay vs France
It’s a match that many people will predict to end in a draw but for Les Bleus, there will be no other option than to feed their hungry fans with an important victory. As part of the teams in Group A, these two sides will come up against each other on the opening day of the 2010 World Cup tournament.
It will start at 18:30 GMT and it will be staged in Cape Town, at the Cape Town Stadium – which holds a 69,070 crowd capacity.
Match-day Two – France vs Mexico
It should be a very interesting encounter when France take on Mexico at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. The greatest contrast might be between both sides’ managers as Javier Aguirre is a trusted and respected figure in Mexico whereas Raymond Domenech is an incarnation of hate and controversy among the French public.
Unity definitely plays a big role in the game of soccer but France have already proven how much they’d do anything to win battles. After enduring a slow start in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the French will try and book tickets for the last sixteen of the tournament as soon as it is possible.
Beating Mexico on June 17th might assure them just that.
Match-day Three – France vs South Africa
It could decide the fate of both teams but for the French, they’ll rather want it to be of no importance at all in a positive way. Playing against hosts is never an easy thing to do considering the amount of pressure that surrounds the atmosphere.
France expressed a lot of distraction throughout the 2010 World Cup qualification campaign. Therefore, they will prefer not to be under any kind of pressure to qualify for the next stage ahead of this encounter against South Africa.
However, based on comparisons between South Africa and France’s past experiences and achievements, it is clear that Les Bleus will go into the match as favorites to win at the end of the 90 minutes. Would the home crowd at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein be silenced on June 22nd?
France – 2010 World Cup squad
Goalkeepers:
Steve Mandanda; Cedric Carrasso; Hugo Lloris
Defenders:
Eric Abidal; William Gallas; Bakary Sagna; Gael Clichy; Patrice Evra; Anthony Reveillere; Marc Planus; Sebastien Squillaci
Midfielders:
Jeremy Toulalan; Florent Malouda; Yoann Gourcuff; Alou Diarra; Abou Diaby
Forwards:
Mathieu Valbuena; Franck Ribery; Thierry Henry; Sidney Govou; Andre-Pierre Gignac; Djibril Cisse; Nicolas Anelka
France – Expectations from the country and its top stars
Ask a French fan to tell you about his wish for France’s national team and he’ll tell you seven simple words, “I want them to win the trophy”. Now ask them about their expectations… the answers may be more difficult to come out, and more balanced as well.
In fact, France’s national team is always expected to perform and clinch titles – especially after the country’s 1998 World Cup success on home soil. Beating Brazil 3-0 in the final left French fans in delight; now they are all waiting for a repeat of that triumph that saw them win their first ever World Cup trophy.
Four years ago, France were so near yet far away in the end to grabbing the 2006 World Cup trophy in Germany. However, the night didn’t prove to be theirs. Les Bleus got their legendary captain Zinedine Zidan sent off for an infamous head butt on Italy’s Marco Materazzi before the end of proceedings. In the penalty shoot-outs, David Trezeguet’s miss from the spot finally brought agony on France.
Veteran players like Lilian Thuram and Wiltord were left in painful tears as they were realizing the misery of losing in the final. Millions of French fans across the world felt the disappointment and promised themselves to support their team with louder voices in the final of the next World Cup tournament.
However, supporters of France’s national team are yet to fall in love with coach Raymond Domenech. It seems like the presence of the manager is preventing French fans from believing in the chances of the country’s national football team. Still, they will be looking upon a few players to raise their game and carry Les Bleus all the way through to the final stage.
Thierry Henri
Speaking about Thierry Henri, his guilt helped France to make it from the playoff to the finals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The former Arsenal talisman – who thought of resigning quickly after the incident that happened against the Republic of Ireland – will be playing in what will surely be his last World Cup for France.
Thierry Henri is therefore expected to breathe his last breath for his country by giving his all for Les Bleus. His underwhelming performance in the 2008 European Championship in Switzerland-Austria came at the detriment of the entire French squad.
In South Africa, Thierry Henri could be out to clear his name and answer the critics by leading France to success and ultimately writing his name in the record books.
Hugo Lloris
The Lyon goalkeeper was incredible for France, especially in the controversial return leg against the Republic of Ireland. A majority of the public even portrayed him as the real hero of the tie instead of Henri or Gallas.
Lloris can have very good games at times and a heroic performance at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa might earn him even more praises than France’s former goalkeeper, Fabien Barthez.
France – World Cup record
With all the big names that the country have had in the past decades, many will find it hard to accept that the French national team of football have lifted the world’s most prestigious sports trophy only once. Here is France’s World Cup record:
2006: Final
2002, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1934, 1930: Round 1
1998: Champions
1986, 1958: Third place
1982: Fourth place
1938: Quarter-finals
Follow LiveSoccerTV.com as the site covers the entire 2010 World Cup tournament between June 11th and July 11th!
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