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Post-Game Recovery, OR: “But I’m SAD!”

By: Laurie | November 20th, 2009 | 14 Comments »

crying baby A few years back, when my daughter was maybe three, she did one of those things which, before you have kids, you swear your little darling will never do. I can’t even remember what it was. Bit her brother, maybe? And so I chastised her, causing her to burst into tears. Then I turned all my attention to comforting her brother.

Eventually she realizes the sobbing isn’t working, so she asks me if I’m going to do anything for her. I say no, because it was her behavior that caused all of this to begin with.

So she sobs, “But…but…but I’m SAD!!!!”

That’s kind of how I feel right now. I realize, as a France fan, that I have no right to feel a need to be comforted. But…but…but I’m SAD!!!!

This isn’t the way I wanted qualifying to end. If we’d won legitimately, I could be legitimately celebrating and it would be wonderful. If we’d lost, I could be legitimately commiserating, which I think would actually feel better. If we’d even outplayed Ireland on Wednesday, it might feel like a karmic victory and be acceptable. As it is, though, we’re left with a kind of sad limbo. To paraphrase Bixente Lizarazu, I’m happy they qualified, but don’t feel like I can party.

Not sure where the road back is. Eventually I’m sure we’ll all come to accept this, and to be grateful France is in WC 2010.

Or we’ll be grateful until, under the tutelage of Domenech, they again go out in the group stage.

For now, though? For now, I’m just sad.

As a first step back, if you’re looking to remind yourself that France does have some legit talent, please watch this video of all France’s goals in qualifying, made by our very own commenter Jean-François. (This video has gotten over 40,000 pageviews since the game and become something of a lightning rod for everybody’s feelings about the game and the goal. Feel free to leave your own comments.)

Tags: Euro 2008, France fans, France goals WC 2010 qualifying, Thierry Henry, World Cup 2010

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France through to World Cup – Henry handball sets up decisive goal – Poor performance from France

By: jeff | November 18th, 2009 | 82 Comments »

Ireland France Wcup Soccer If you’re only going to have 5 players play well, make sure they include at least three defenders and the goalkeeper. I’m writing in a vacuum – I did have the Setanta commentator who rightly pointed out how poor France were, but I have to say that I ... [read]

Watching the Game? Leave Comments and Streams

By: Laurie | November 18th, 2009 | 285 Comments »

First thing: If you’re catching the game on delay on Setanta, DON’T read the comments. I broke down and forked over my $19.99 to Setanta to watch the game live, so I will be leaving updates there.
And if you have a working illicit stream, please leave that in the comments as well. It looks ... [read]

The decisive moment is only a few hours away – Will France be going to the World Cup?

By: jeff | November 18th, 2009 | 6 Comments »

Anybody else feeling edgy?
I’m getting a little tired of reading that this France side aren’t “a spot” on the 1998-2000 side. Time for the lads to debunk that nasty sentiment; and a masterclass today would be a good start.
Join Laurie on this site later today (she’s never missed a match before, and I wouldn’t expect her to start now) ... [read]

World Cup Playoff First Leg: Ireland 0, France 1

By: jeff | November 15th, 2009 | 43 Comments »

France won the first leg of the World Cup playoff away to Ireland 1-0, but the tie is still up in the air.
France were the better team, but they weren’t firing on all cylinders, so they’ll now need to get a result in the second leg in Paris.
The formation didn’t always hold it’s shape, but it was ... [read]

This Is IT. Ireland-France. Leave Comments and Streams Here

By: Laurie | November 14th, 2009 | 51 Comments »

So President Nicolas Sarkozy went on Facebook to wish les Bleus good luck.
Pretty sure that will be all it takes to push them over the top.
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Dunne gets stuck-in: Extraordinary pre-match comments on Domenech

By: jeff | November 11th, 2009 | 25 Comments »

From the Guardian:
Ireland defender Richard Dunne said, “You can see the reaction of the people at the tennis (Paris Masters), when they put his (Domenech) face on the big screen. The whole place just booed him and his own players laughed at him.”
Extraordinary.
There’s Domenech trying to enjoy tennis when a stadium full of people start booing him; and even his ... [read]

Call Ups for France vs. Ireland

By: Inara | November 6th, 2009 | 31 Comments »

France’s do-or-die match against Ireland is just around the corner, with the first match taking place on November 14th in Ireland and the second taking place on the 18th at the Stade de France (boo…). I don’t know about you guys, but I’ll be praying extra hard that France don’t screw up against a tough Irish team. Or else Raymond ... [read]

The Irish Opponents: Who Will be Playing for Ireland?

By: Laurie | November 1st, 2009 | 22 Comments »

On paper, this shouldn’t even be much of a matchup. France has the players with the big names and the big money.
You know. The ones who get all the press.
Too bad you can’t play a match on paper.
Gardiens de but
Shay Given (Manchester City, Ang)
Keiren Westwood (Conventry City, Ang)
Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe United, Ang)
Défenseurs
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Official: The Playoff Opponent is Ireland

By: Laurie | October 19th, 2009 | 39 Comments »

It’s official. France’s playoff opponent is Ireland.
And Raymond Domenech is kissing the boots of UEFA for deciding to seed the draw.
France, the 1998 world champions, 2000 European champions and beaten World Cup finalists in 2006, will have the advantage of playing the second leg on home soil against an Ireland side coached by Giovanni Trapattoni.
While ... [read]

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Latest Comments

Post-Game Recovery, OR: "But I'm SAD!"

Comment by Inara
Laurie, I think I liked the first picture better. It was slightly more pathetic (like our team). ...[read more]
Post-Game Recovery, OR: "But I'm SAD!"

Comment by Earthwire
Worst of luck to France in South Africa. Boohs for them in every match (hopefully just four). ...[read more]
Post-Game Recovery, OR: "But I'm SAD!"

Comment by hawk
sandrahn: Henry-haters? U kidding ? Any morals gone overboard, huh ?! ...[read more]
Post-Game Recovery, OR: "But I'm SAD!"

Comment by hawk
La maniére francaise: corriger la fortune. Bah !
Post-Game Recovery, OR: "But I'm SAD!"

Comment by Michel-Olivier
@sandrahn yes especially french players from metropolitaine because they have no manners ...[read more]
Post-Game Recovery, OR: "But I'm SAD!"

Comment by sandrahn
Oop, sorry, that last paragraph was meant for another blog. ...[read more]
Post-Game Recovery, OR: "But I'm SAD!"

Comment by sandrahn
And btw, john, the people who screeching the loudest about Henry are the people who ALREADY hated hi ...[read more]
Post-Game Recovery, OR: "But I'm SAD!"

Comment by sandrahn
Michel-Olivier, do you get angry only when FRENCH players cheat? ...[read more]
Post-Game Recovery, OR: "But I'm SAD!"

Comment by Adam
waaaah! waaaaah! waaaah! The Irish are a bunch of babies. Quit yer whinin abd get over it! It's ju ...[read more]
Post-Game Recovery, OR: "But I'm SAD!"

Comment by Terry from Naples fl
i guess that i am more calm it is what it is,stuff like that happends allot,time to move on,maybe a ...[read more]
Post-Game Recovery, OR: "But I'm SAD!"

Comment by Michel-Olivier
when cheathierry dived against spain and portugal was it because he was "reacting in a way that is q ...[read more]
Post-Game Recovery, OR: "But I'm SAD!"

Comment by sandrahn
Fair comment, Brian. Laurie, all France supporters, hell all football fans should go right on ove ...[read more]
Post-Game Recovery, OR: "But I'm SAD!"

Comment by Brian Mc Mullen
For the sake of "FAIR PLAY", the match between France / Ireland should be replayed. This is what th ...[read more]
Post-Game Recovery, OR: "But I'm SAD!"

Comment by Inara
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8370497.stm Keane tells Ireland to get over it and that ...[read more]
Watching the Game? Leave Comments and Streams

Comment by italiaForTheFifthStar
iam glad that the whole world saw that henry is a cheat.:he was a great player no doubt but since 20 ...[read more]

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