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“Footing” with Les Bleus, and Dabo Called Up

February 9th, 2009 | By: Laurie | 13 Comments »

There’s a cute slideshow over at the FFF site of the guys engaging in “le footing.” Basically jogging on a trail together, and everybody seems to be having a good time. Or at least they’re smiling pretty for the cameras. Which is good. Right?

(Something interesting: In the first one, Titi and Samir Nasri are side-by-side and looking friendly. I know one should never try to figure things out from one photo, but since there was reportedly some friction between the two at Euros, it’s good to see them seeming at least on speaking terms.)

Also, St. Etienne’s Mouhamadou Dabo is the most recent callup. He and Boumsong were called up after both Gaël Clichy and Julien Escudé were declared forfait. (Am I never going to see Escude in bleu again? It sure seems that way.) Also, I’m seeing that Dabo can play at both right- and leftback. Does he play on the left at St. Etienne? Otherwise this would be kind of an odd callup.

Also, I don’t think I’ve seen any St. Etienne games this year. Is Dabo better than Benoît Trémoulinas from Bordeaux? I kind of thought that Trémoulinas would be the one called up if there was ever an opening at this position.

Tags: Euro 2008

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Comments

By Michel-Olivier(Slider) | February 9th, 2009 at 5:40 pm

instead of calling chalme, he decided to call a foreigner.

Posted from United States

By Laurie | February 9th, 2009 at 8:20 pm

Somehow I knew that would be one of the comments.

Posted from United States

By Guy Courtin | February 10th, 2009 at 2:46 am

Laurie I agree with your comment on Trémoulinas, he was a viable candidate. He is having a solid season with Bordeaux and getting lots of comparisons with another former Girodins of small stature – Lizarzu. But overall I think the “foreigner” deserved a look. What really shocked me was why is Boumsong once again in the side? Not sure what he brings.

http://thebeantownfrog.blogspot.com/2009/02/boumsong-back-again-why.html

Posted from United States

By Julien G. | February 10th, 2009 at 4:03 am

Tremoulinas has to work on his defending and also has to become more of an attacking threat. He needs a bit more experience, I wouldn’t risk playing him for now (tbh, I think we’ll see him flourish in his late 20’s).

By jeanpierre | February 10th, 2009 at 11:46 am

never heard of dabo but everything better than boumsong even if i like boumsong

nasri looks very weird on the first picture

Posted from Netherlands

By lefutur | February 10th, 2009 at 12:48 pm

why was there “friction” between Titi and Nasri? Never heard about that…

Posted from United States

By Steven | February 10th, 2009 at 12:54 pm

Hey, ESPN 2 has it scheduled as a live match tomorrow …

11 Feb 2009 03:00 PM to 05:00 PM
League: International Friendly (France vs. Argentina)
Channel: ESPN 2
Live/Repeat: Live

Posted from Canada

By jeanpierre | February 10th, 2009 at 2:06 pm

@lefutur

some guy called Gallas wrote some book about Gallas saying there are brats in the French NT, and that one called “S” samir-duh of 20 years old at European championnat in suisse and autrichia stole the busseat of thierry henry.

dunno actually because i think thats more a problem between gallas and nasri and the busseat not henry

Posted from Netherlands

By Guy Courtin | February 10th, 2009 at 5:03 pm

Thanks Steven for the info! Good to see ESPN carrying the match. Latest – it appears that Abidal will be starting tomorrow, facing off against his club teammate Messi, that should be an interesting match up to watch. Also, if Tevez also starts it will be interesting if Domenech looks to have Sagna mark him, you would expect there to be familiarity based on the two plying their trade in the Prem.

Posted from United States

By John | February 10th, 2009 at 8:14 pm

Why is Briand always called up? Aren’t their better strikers out there?

Posted from Costa Rica

By Laurie | February 11th, 2009 at 11:10 am

Le Futur, wasn’t Nasri the one who sat in Henry’s spot on the team bus and got lambasted by Gallas? Massaer over at the Marseille blog wrote about it shortly after it happened (he has friends who are journalists in Paris), and then Gallas verified it in his recent autobiography.

Posted from United States

By Laurie | February 11th, 2009 at 11:13 am

Okay, I see jeanpierre beat me to a response. I haven’t had my coffee yet this morning.