France played the almost perfect game against Brazil. Defensively they were solid and they ran at Brazil when they got the chance.
Domenech has found the role for Zidane just behind Henry - he was fantastic.
Malouda and Ribery were the lags of the team in midfield and Vieira and Makalele fitted in perfectly.
Zidane's first ever assist on a Henry goal for France?
The Brazil inquest will be underway all ready - I wonder if I should pull out the "Ten reasons why Brazil won't win the World Cup" article fom May to help the process.
A very disappointing display from Brazil over the five games. We never really saw the pace and power that was expected.
All cheers to France theyve never been better, they were great and deserved the result.
Parreira will take the bullet for this showing, never could overcome the individual play of the "Stars". That works against the like of ghanan and japan but when confronted by a very good team like france it will not do.
Tears all over RIO tonight.
Great match though, best of the 4 quarter finals, attacking up and down the field, great play. The others were way too conservative and play to nopt make a mistake.
Someone will have to teach Dida to get off his line, in the end it wouldnt have mattered cause France were the better team..... today.
Just do something about Barthez. Man that goalie can't be trusted. He's oh so shaky. If it weren't for him I think France would win it all. With him there's a shadow of a doubt.
Still, Zidane was just...superb. Wow. That was an impresario at work there. So composed and mindful at all times. That alone was worth the Cup.
Brazil should feel lucky they progressed this far! Too many me, me, me, players and it showed! Viva le France. Well Done! That's how the game should be played! Paying attention Portugal?
Alright Bobby, let's get your opinion on this: If (and it's a mighty BIG if) France can somehow pull all this off & hoist up the trophy, where does Zidane rate on the All-Time best? He was on the list before, but this is ridiculous! I do'nt think I've ever seen a player at that age, still play at that level! Sure Pele was 32 & Matthews was over 50, & of course throw in Puskas & Di Stefano, but Zizou is doing things at 34 that Ronnie & Robinho couldn't do at 24! Does he break Top 5 All Time if they win it?
France may not win this World Cup, but I have to admit many people wrote off France very quick...
France v. Span -> Spain favorite 80%
France v. Brazil -> Brazil favorite 100%
Oh, I wish they continue that way....
France v. Portugal -> Portugal favorite 90%
We love the underdog role!!!
But, Never underestimate a team containing Zidane & Henry.... and the defense of champions:
1. Gallas (Chelsea champions of England)
2. Thurma (Juve champions of Italy)
3. Sagnol (Bayern champions of Germany)
4. Abidal (Lyon champions of France)
5. Makelele (Chelsea champions of England)
Congrats to France, a better team than Brazil, who never lived up to the hype. Ronaldinho never showed, and with Ronaldo falling like a statue everytime he was touched, it was embarrassing. Happily only a few games left of the continous stream of blather from Harkes & Balboa, who have somehow become annoited to announce the premier match-ups. Overall, IMHO only a handful of interesting games in the whole WC, as the emphasis on not losing continues to detract from attractive football. Looking forward to the return of league football on FSC, which week in and week out offers exciting football, unlike a majority of WC games. It's anyone WC now, If I was a betting man, I would pick France and/or Germany. Maybe we will get another game or half of football worth watching out the last 4 games
TH14
(eating humble pie as typing)
I for one didnt think France had a hope in hell for this competition.
I actually had a bet that they'd go all three group games without a goal!
I think it's great that they are playing well, and hope they meet Germany in the final. Zidane deserves nothing less.
Rio - sorry about the result, man. There is no worse feeling, believe me, I know. I dont know what it was but, something about Brasil didn't gel with me since the begining of the World Cup. Maybe its too many individualities and not enough teamwork, I dont know. But, Brasil is the Yin to my Yang. No one has more history with Brasil then Argentina and I've seen them rip our heart out many times. However, this team didnt have that "thing" that makes Brasil the powerhouse it is.
Henry - you can add me to that list. But, ya gotta admit that France v Switzerland, and France v S. Korea was enough to make anyone doubt. Congrats, man.
although nothing will feel worse than argentina 78. Brasil struggles with these issues every world cup. They always have some of the leading players, and it takes a strong manager to bring them together, parreira wasnt able to. Im sure they all tried very hard, and wanted to win very much. You cant win every time. I think theyll be back ;)
All Hail King Zidane!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gosh the man is mercurial. I can't even experesss it. Even if they go out in the semis...I am glad to say that I saw that display today. Class is timeless.
Even as somebody who put $50 on France at 16/1 prior to the tournament, I was disappointed by the displays against the Swiss and Koreans. What's happened is that Vieira has raised his game. He and Makelele bossed the midfield, choking off the links between Ronaldo. Kaka and Ronaldinho were anonymous because of the hard shift put in by that pair.
Well certainly ronaldo did, and im both happy and sad that ronaldinho missed the kick at the end from ronaldos dive.
But really credit deserves to go to France so few thought they had that type of game in them. They marked ronaldinho with 2 players everytime sometimes trhee and he tried to go throught them rather than get his mates involved.
I give all credit to France, see above, they played a great fantastic match. Domenech had the game plan, there fine players executed and brasil failed to adjust.
I think Parreira will get a thorough goin over and i suppose he deserves a portion of it, but managing brasil is maybe the toughest task. He has 50 players who are all world class and takes the top 20% of those. They are very expensive athletes, huge egos, used to being the main guy wherever they play. I think it must be an incerdibly challenging thing. Then theres the pressure. There wont be riots that is not the brasilian way, but there will be years of discussion and analysis. It has almost become a birth rite to perform at the world cup. They have an outstanding record, i wouldnt trade it for any other, but the pressure to live up to those standards is immense. My god the Presdient of the country was chastising the world cup goal scoring record holder!!!!
OK, I take back eveything I said about Zidane earlier. Wow. Phenomenal performance.
I still think that Henry gets wasted in this side. Malouda is still well out of his depth. France would have had at leat one more goal, if not two, if Pires or Guily are in there instead.
I'd like to see Trez out there for the Portugal game. Henry can drift left as he does for Arsenal. I see no problem with overloading the left against Portugal as they rely on Miguel getting forward from the right back.
Hats of to Les Bleus. They have been in both of the matches thta have been real respecible footbal this Cup. What a splendid performace. Bravo!
Allez Les Bleus. Brilliant. They showed up today. To win this world cup they will definitely need to do away with the boring 4-5-1, which is great when you have a striker who can play with his back to the goal. Zidane played very well today but how many clean balls (other than the set piece) did he play to Henry in open play. Henry plays way better when in tandem with another striker. He has the most offsides in the tournament playing as a lone striker. I say they bring in Saha probably at the expense of Malouda (not to take anything from Malouda he was great today). Saha is a proven goal scorer, can/will hold the ball up for Henry, and can also double up on defence.
simba9 i agree with everything you posted except about Malouda. It seems to me that he as well as Wiltord are picked because they play for Lyon. Malouda has tunnel vision and Wiltord couldnt get a cross in if his life depended on it. I guess Domenech has no options for left sided midfielder. I have a very good reason to believe that if Jerome Rothen of PSG was fit he would take Malouda's number 7 and his starting spot.
If I were Domenech, i wouldnt change a thing, they have looked strong on both sides of the pitch in the last two games. Why fix something thats obviously not broken.
Good to see that the Ref from Spain did not take his revenge against France. Infact, it was almost perfect officiating... Except... the Yellow Card to Thuram. It could cost him!!!
I dont know when i was watching france throught the group stage and knockout round it seems as if when Malouda gets the ball he puts his head down and flies up the left side until he is stopped, fouled, or ball goes out of play. He just looks as if he trying to serve balls up to John Carew at Lyon. TH14 is not as big as Carew but he is better on the floor. France to me looks like they dont have the personnel to play this cross into the box offense. Especially with 1 striker the crossing needs to be razor sharp Any Thoughts?
Four years ago under Scolari, Brazil got better as the competition went on, because he will keep in the Team a player who performed well the previous game.. so the Brazil Team that played the group stages was very different to the one that played the Quarters, the Semis and the Final.
This time around Parreira seems to be going back and forth between matches as if he was more concerned about dolling out playing time than winning the Cup..
I used to coach some kids in Thornhill last year and the parents would be on my back counting every second i played each kid.. this reminded me of the way Parreira coached this Brazilian team.. he did not know how to get the best out of Ronaldinho and Robinho... Cicinho and Gilberto played well but the next match they were dropped...
Kaka got hurt against Ghana and did not practice but he played 80 minutes of a knocked out stage.. in many ways Parreira he is so different from Scolari and so similar to Sven Goran Erickson another losing coach waisting talents at his disposable
What a shame the most pleasant team to watch is out of the world Cup.. not we are stuck with Germany and Italy and Portugal trying to avoid losing matches rather than trying to win them
Four years ago under Scolari, Brazil got better as the competition went on, because he will keep in the Team a player who performed well the previous game.. so the Brazil Team that played the group stages was very different to the one that played the Quarters, the Semis and the Final.
This time around Parreira seems to be going back and forth between matches as if he was more concerned about dolling out playing time than winning the Cup..
I used to coach some kids in Thornhill last year and the parents would be on my back counting every second i played each kid.. this reminded me of the way Parreira coached this Brazilian team.. he did not know how to get the best out of Ronaldinho and Robinho... Cicinho and Gilberto played well but the next match they were dropped...
Kaka got hurt against Ghana and did not practice but he played 80 minutes of a knocked out stage.. in many ways Parreira he is so different from Scolari and so similar to Sven Goran Erickson another losing coach waisting talents at his disposable
What a shame the most pleasant team to watch is out of the world Cup.. not we are stuck with Germany and Italy and Portugal trying to avoid losing matches rather than trying to win them
France outplayed Brazil.
Brazil did not play as a team.
Did you know that Zidane's father still does not have the French citizenship?
The French Colonies are set to win their second WC.
Brazilians need to understand that they are not going to win just because they are Brazil.
You actually have to have a gameplan and something resembling team spirit. You have to stop underestimating your opponents or they'll whoop your #### every time.
Awesome, brilliant display by France.
Now Portugal is the dark horse. Nothing has been decided yet. The worst mistake any of the four remaining teams can make is to go in thinking they've already won, like Brazil.
I love the arrogance Odin, reading you lecture the 5 time champions on what they need to do is classic! Ive cit and pasted it to the brasilian FA im sure the are waiting with baited breath.
Odin has spoken. Actually, much of what you wrote can't be refuted. France did outplay Brazil and the Brazilians were not cohesive. However, I don't agree with those who are saying Brazil didn't come to play meaning they just thought merely showing up would suffice. Simply, the coach didn't get the players to mesh and France stifled them. Brazil just got nothing going or even nearing creative play until late.
Goodness. I've been watching World Cups since 1994 (so maybe others can chime in and tell me of similar unimpressive teams) but out of the sixteen semifinalists in those Cups Portugal has to be the weakest looking side in their respective tournament. I'm just not convinced they showed semifinalist material. Oh well, so is the World Cup. I don't envision France being whipping boys so who knows?
French Colonies? I'm thinking I have the allusion but care to explain Odin?
Riocharlie: I can understand your anger and frustration, I don't believe I'm arrogant in pointing out Brazil's pitfalls. I truly think that Brazil did not go into this game with a plan.
You can do that with Japan, and even let them score against you, but you can't do that with France. 2002 was a joke of an event, and Turkey was the best team.
EaglesPerch: I think you know exactly what I'm talking about. France's immigrants have it very tough, but the French have no compulsions about having them represent the country and win World Cups for them. A bit lopsided, wouldn't you say?
Im sure he's reffering to the fact that many of the French team were born in France's colonies such as Senegal with Vieira and also the players whose parents emigrated from other countries such as Zidane's family from Algeria.
Big deal! Every team left in the tourney has a player who is a naturalized citizen. Italy with Camoranesi(from Argentina), Germany with David Odonkor and Gerald Asamoah 2 black players, Portugal with Deco, and as we said France.
Even back in '82 France had colonial players like markus tresor and so on. Be careful because when you mention the french colonies like you do Odin, it implies that all of the French team needs to be caucasian for you to declare them a national team. Some people might see this a racist
Also they players had a choice to play for France or some 3rd world african country. lets see France or Suriname, France or Togo, France or Senegal hmmmmm tough choice
Last edited by BigBlueWreckinCrew on July 1st at 5:37 PM.
It's what I thought Odin. Just wanted to make sure. Anyway, it's not the forum for some of my thoughts.
Hey, some of these players immigrated, are rich from playing a sport, and get a chance to represent a country they have chosen. I consider that darn fortunate. Congrats to them.
Once againe Henry showed us how to be a single striker. Unlike Mr. Rooney who was starved for balls, and lost his head. The french deserved to win this came and the old legs of Zidane remain creative.
No racism was implied.
The racist comments were by rightwing French politico Le Pen to which Thuram responded: I am not black, I am French!
Now, if France truly acknowledged Thurams' assertion within its society and not only when it's time to win the World Cup, no mention of French Colonies would be necessary or meaningful.
My statement is socio-political and is no different than the antiracist statetements by FIFA in this WC, and is definitely within the spirit of the WC which aims at creating a planetary atmosphere where the peoples of the World can come together (even more effectively than the Olympics, in my opinion).
There, now, if anybody else calls me a racist, I'll snap his neck! :)
im not callin you a racist by any means. Its just that these colonies see this emigration issue as racist. To the eefect that France only pays attention to the colonies when it suits France financially or through sport. Thats what I meant. If you took my post as calling you racist, it was not intended that way and i apologize
BTW what is going to happen to the Spanish FA regarding the bus incident and racist fans outside and in the stadium during their match aginst France. Will Blatter have any balls to back up his pre tourney claim to dock points and closed door matches and everything?
Last edited by BigBlueWreckinCrew on July 1st at 5:54 PM.
mistafantastic - He is definetly in the top 10. My top 5 - Maradona, Pele, Di Stefano, Cruyff, Beckenbauer.
I don't know that he breaks into that group to be honest.
also ive been wondering, since ABC spent about 20 minutes talking about the Tevez burn incident during the game versus GER, whats the deal with Franck Ribery and that humongous facial scar. Great player though. Now that I think about it he plays just like Carlos Tevez
Think about it, you are sitting there pontificating on what brasil NEEDS to do. Look at their resume. They are the 5 time world cup champion, they have been in the last three finals, they fave two players between them that have one 5 World players of the year, their managers have won numerous world cups both as players and managers. Do you somehow think Brasil does not know what they need? Brasil know more than any other team what is needed. Do you not think that they all worked very hard to accomplish it? They werent able to do it plain and simple. France did it better today. Hats off the the French, they deserve the credit. Im very proud and happy with brasil, they are a great team with a great history.
Many talk about how espn never stops talking, my god the dudes on univioson are on speed they talk all the time and pretty fast, but they are hilarious, they are knowledgable, and they are very entertaining. For english we should be treated to Ray hudson, he is the exact same way as invision but speaks something that resembles english.
example: last night when talking about how argentina held the ball and did nothing with it against germany he says: "well satan held on to linda blair for most of the movie, and that didnt turn out too well either", hes is a riot, very emotional and gets carried away on a light breeze. Probably all the things they teach you not to do in broadcasting school but highly entertianing.
They won 5 cups because they are the best.
They are the best because they instinctively know what to do and are the best jugglers in the world with a ball. Brazilians were born to play soccer.
I'm saying that's not enough, and that a less talented team can beat you using teamwork, strategy, psychology, and sheer physical power.
That's what happened today and it's going to happen again and again. Once or twice could be a coincidence, but I see a pattern here, and you would be wise to heed Odin's words rather than hiding your pain and injured pride by trying to silence Odin (moi) on the basis of proven superiority.
Granted, if I was Ukrainian or Ghanaian or Costa Rican, you would be right in waving me away like an annoying mosquito. But I'm not, besides being the divine being that I am, I am Italian, and Italy, without going into particulars, knows a thing or two about soccer. As far as pontificating, that's what I do, and being far from racist, I don't see why I shouldn't include Brasil in my enlightening comments, especially when they get their butt kicked all the way back to Sao Paulo by Uncle Zidane, the Algerian Magician. Yes!
Bobby I completely agree with you.
I am an avid Barca fan and was waiting to see the Magic touch of Ronaldhino.
What happened? I dont understand where all his creativity went. The others on the team didnt help matters any either.
Where was Eto'o when you needed him (I jest) but I didnt see attackers running and trying to find space they all seemed to be waiting for something
BigBlue... no apologies needed, mate
I may sound tough, but i'm real sweetheart once you get to know me, it's a tired cliche, but it's true, honest! Alright, enough.
Chubaka: yes, of course. I am crazy for the Azzurri. I am going to see it on a megascreen with a whole bunch of soccer crazed Italians and probably some Germans too! Italy have a lot of respect for Germany and we do not think it's going to be easy at all, however, we've come this far and one thing is for sure: we're going to give Germany a run for their money, and then, que sera sera.
Riocharlie: please, don't stop, your wailing is giving me great pleasure!
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
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