Comments on: France Winning Euro 2008 is Essential

By: GlancingHeader

GlancingHeader — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 19:08:31 +0000

I feel that we are in a transitional period when the old guards are fading and the new stars emerging. The past few friendlies have not been good because the old and new mix is not yet balanced. There is no doubt that there is an embarrassment of riches in talent but Domenech hasn’t been able to find the perfect blend. I am not high about this year but France will be the ones to watch in 2010.

By: Rajib

Rajib — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 16:54:27 +0000

I feel Domenech’s fear regarding the affect of the hectic calender may be worth thinking about. In 2002, I think France could have produced one of the best teams ever in a World Cup if things wouldn’t have gone so horribly wrong. Pires was in unbelievable form that season but got injured. Zidane produced one of the best goals ever in a Champions League Final but got injured. Finally, and here where the effect of hectic calender factored in, France had the leading scorers of three leagues (Seria A, Ligue 1 and EPL) but could not score a single goal !! On the other hand, Brazil was struggling at one stage even to qualify for the World Cup. Brazilian stars weren’t actually spectacular. Ronaldo, the star of the 2002 WC, was injured for most of the season but fully fit and rested when the WC begun. Anyway, I am reminiscing so much because I was really very hopeful about that WC and still the “what-if”s haunt me .

By: sandrahn

sandrahn — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:39:37 +0000

I’m not one of those knee-jerk Domenech-bashers, at least not in the way so many in the media, Italy fans, and others are. He’s routinely villified and dismissed, which I don’t think he deserves. I actually find many of his comments funny and witty. I still laugh at his joke questioning in mock seriousness whether or not there was something physically unstable with Materazzi because he goes down on the ground so much (he said this after Materazzi was headbutted again by an Italian player last season). Also, the resident analyst on the Fox Soccer Channel (Bobby McMahon) makes the point that, like Mourinho, Domenech deliberately draws public criticism towards him and away from his players.

He’s a pretty intelligent guy and doesn’t get enuf credit for what he has achieved with the national team. But I think some of his decisions and omissions of certain players on ridiculous personal grounds (Giuly, Pires) are indefensible. I’m just skeptical that he what it takes to win the Euro championship. He certainly has the players to do it, tho.

By: Seb

Seb — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:02:27 +0000

Despite my constantly treating Domenech as Domenech would an Italian, I actually like the guy more than Santini or Lemerre as well. If the guy could keep his prejudices to himself and not let it affect his selections, then I, as well as other supporters of Les Bleus, I believe, would have fewer issues with him.

By: Jeff/433

Jeff/433 — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:54:34 +0000

I like Domenech more than Lemerre and Santini, but I’m getting a real apprehension-vibe from this crowd, like no one will be surprised at all if Domenech bottles it.

By: Inara

Inara — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:27:12 +0000

I don’t know about you guys, but anything less than France bringing the trophy home is not good enough. Maybe I’m biased, but I just don’t see a better team out there, not just in terms of potential but also experience. Maybe our coaching is our weakness, but Domenech has a really good record – something like only seven losses in all games (including friendlies) since he took over for France. I think he can get the job done this summer. What can I say, I’m fond of the guy, in a really strange sort of way.

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 05:05:12 +0000

I don’t know what to think of Domenech. I know a lot of fans don’t like him. Sometimes he sounds like a madman but he has gotten pretty good results. I think he foucuses on defense a bit too much but he was a defender. I like the experience we have on the field but we need more new faces. We need to test our youngsters. I hope we beat England impressively in this upcomming friendly. That would be a good sign.

By: Jean-Michel

Jean-Michel — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:27:54 +0000

He definitely has a reason to be upset. Not being able to make an informed decision on a player’s health until that close to the start of a competition is scary.

By: Doumé

Doumé — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:39:54 +0000

An ominous sign…
http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2008/20080304_174423Dev.html
Raymond is beyond mad at having club games (like the French Cup final, European cometitions etc) right before the Euro. He explains that it will be a similar calender to 2002 (gasp), having to name a list of 23 players, some of whom will have to still play as much as 5 games where they can be hurt.
And then he goes on with this pearl:
“For a worse preparation, there’s nothing better”

…er…then guess there’s always worse.

By: sandrahn

sandrahn — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:22:58 +0000

From Eric’s keyboard to the ears of the football gods!

I like the fact that Italy have not beaten France in open play since 1978. I hope to see that record continue in the summer.