Are France over their loss at the 2006 World Cup and ready to test themselves again at Euro 2008?
Owing to the high quality opposition that it presents Group C had already been dubbed by many as the group of death since the Euro 2008 draw a few months ago. Proposing a rematch of the last World Cup final between France and Italy and throwing in the mix the qualities of high ranking squads Romania and Holland justifies the title for this exciting group.
France
The French football team is all the more overflowing with talent as new faces come to take their place in the front seats with exceptional performances for their clubs. France coach Raymond Domenech will have a few welcome problems of abundance but in his selection knows well that he has to bank in on the revenge factor.
The way they lost the World Cup final two years ago has still not been well digested by many players who were part of the team. Going down to the much hated Italians was an additional dagger in their backs that exacerbated their suffering. It is not, however, just the chance of getting back at Italy for the loss. France are a hurt beast who want to redeem themselves with their nation after having let the major trophy slip by in the manner it did.
Domenech, who is an intelligent coach, will therefore want to keep this element of redemption alive in his squad and will seek to choose most of the players that lived through that moment.
The Manager Raymond Domenech
One of the most controversial football figures for France, Domenech has made improvements to the national team but has had to live through comparisons with successful coaches Jacquet and Lemerre. Both of these talented managers, who had preceded him as national team coaches, landed major trophies for France. A World Cup and a Euro title that quickly placed France at the forefront on the world football map.
Surviving these comparisons has been difficult for him but nonetheless did not prevent him from reaching a World Cup final himself. After having lost on penalties he can say that he has done his job well enough. Yet he will be looking forward to Euro 2008 as a well timed chance to retry his luck once again.
The Squad
The only problems Domenech will have with his squad are all related to abundance. In between the posts for this Euro 2008 campaign there will be a good number of talented goalkeepers to choose from. Frey has been doing an incredibly good job with Fiorentina these last couple of seasons. Unfortunately, once given the chance by Domenech in a France number 1 shirt he squandered it with a silly mistake in a Euro 2008 qualifying match against Ukraine.
Coupet has been the preferred choice by Domenech giving the team ample guarantees with his safe gloved hands. His back up replacement has been PSG guardian Landreau. However, his difficult time at club level may prompt the entry into the France squad for Euro 2008 of two promising young talents Lloris and Mandanda.
The defensive selection is equally difficult for the coach with Arsenal duo Sagna and Gallas doing well with their club just as much as Roma-bound Mexes. Abidal will have a sure role as full-back whilst Domenech can also rely on the experience of another Barcelona player Thruam as well as Bayern Munich defender Sagnol.
The midfield will be well marshalled by the resilient Makelele and Vieira whilst on the wings there will be Franck scarface Ribery and Malouda. Both can be replaced very efficiently by the gifted French sensations Samir Nasri and Hatem Ben Arfa.
Upfront Henry is the only sure thing for Domenech. Partnering him might be the versatile Govou, who can be employed out wide as well, or the emerging talent of Benzema.
Prediction
Whilst it is difficult to predict who will emerge unharmed from the Euro 2008 Group C, I believe France are the team with the best chances to advance. With their Italy encounter set as the third game they will seek to get to it with a cool head and a position of advantage over them. In order to do so they will definitely need to have the better of Romania and Holland which, even though ranked lower by FIFA in their team list, might have other plans in mind.
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