Team News Roundup

“But is that really an excuse for her complete lack of professionalism?”
Hers? And what about HIS lack of professionalism?

I don’t have a problem with Charlize Theron not commenting on France, and I think the gag in the dress rehearsal with the Ireland ball is quite funny.

what professionalism exactly, how professional is it to get away with a call thats the point of the game and its what all players try to do all the time thats why theres referes! this is not pick up in the streats were its call your own fouls, we wouldn’t need referes if that was the case, and heres a rule for you if the refere was incapable of seeing the play or did not see it he CAN NOT call anything no matter what a player says, get over yourselfs henry is not a cheat, and go see the ireland georgia goal tell me how thats fair yet robbie keane didn’t say anything to the ref to have the call called back. bad calls are part of the game its not the players fault.

to all france fans or domenech haters please sign this and send it around to as many friends (or just people you know) as possible, this online petion is actually known to have good credibility, its worth a shot its better then to just complain on a blog.
http://www.petitiononline.com/france10/petition.html
please we have to try and do something and if it happens atleast you can say you had a part in it.

I wouldn’t have a problem with her comments if she just made them on her own personal time- what I think is unprofessional is that she is suppose to be representing South Africa and she is acting more like a representative of Ireland. I also think it is unprofessional for her to continue to make comments that reflect poorly on FIFA at an event where she was asked to help represent them. If I was hired by a company to represent them and I continued to focus on some of the most controversial/sensitive decisions they had made, I don’t think that would be a positive reflection of my professionalism.

Lack of professionalism? Yes, because Henry’s handball was sooooooo professional.

I find it good that some people still have some braveness to say a truth that nobody wants to hear…our (yea, im french) victory is quite unfair, thats why i wont follow my team the same way i did in 2006 or 1998…

but its good to tell the truth sometimes, thx to the lady

Seriously, my criticism of her conduct had nothing to do with whether her comments were right or wrong. My argument (on her lack of professionalism) has nothing to do with the substance of what she said- but the time and place that she said it (please see my comment above).

I think all of France’s supporters have all admitted that we would have preferred not to win this way, but again this is not a relevant answer to my argument. Even if you are right that Henry’s actions were unprofessional, does that mean it justifies more inappropriate behavior? It just seems like we are arguing about two different things to me…

MystMoorth: I, too, respect people that tell the truth when it is hard to admit. I guess that is why I respect Henry for being so honest about what happened. But, I fail to see what Charlize Theron said that isn’t just jumping on the bandwagon of critics already.

I am shocked about the accusations thrown at Charliz for her lack of professionalism.I think Henry is more unprofessional for celebrating a goal he used his hand to control.SHAME ON HENRY!!!

Sarah, I think you’re right on this one.
It’s done; let’s also say that South Africa got qualified -and in the top pot- in a weird manner too (as host).
As I said, we’ll have a chance to prove her if we’re for real against SA. I think Benz will have a good night (just an inspiration during afternoon coffee). Also hopefully I’d like to see a pairing Gignac-Ribéry (I don’t think I saw that, maybe away against Feroe a few minutes) which should put a few cracks in defenses.

In the tidbits: where would Saha fit in all that? It’s getting crowded up front.
Coupet’s accident was absolutely awful to see. Poor guy.
And oops I think you meant to say that Trez will stay in Juventus, not Inter

Who cares,it’s some stupid hollywood actress.Anyway,goal line technology is long overdue.

Doume – Any chance you were having a double? Kidding, of course. With Henry on the wane, we could really use Big Benz in top form. Do you think Benzema and Giganc could work together? I look at a player like Karim, and in top form he’s a fine player, and I think that France could do well at this tournament; but Euro 2008 and the qualifying campaign weigh on my mind, heavily.

Jeff,
seriously sometimes coffee tends to bring me predictions! Weird! I even “saw” that Anelka would score in Dublin a couple of days before (yeah but Karim B didn’t score in Paris, so it’s not an exact science).

But important question about the attack. In my view we have great playmakers in Ti Franck and Gourcuff. We have great off-center forwards on the wings in Henry and Anelka (their help might be important). Then we have also great center-forwards with the killer instinct, the technique but also the size with Benzema and Gignac. Both of them remind me of bulls in their determination. But wait a minute, that’s a lot of people! There might be an overlapping of roles with all of them on the pitch. So I’d say we won’t see Gignac and Benz much together, unless we’re down 0-2 against SAfrica with 12 minutes to go and we’d play in 3-1-2-4 or something.

I’m curious how Sagna would do at centerback. He’s not very tall either, but he’s such a solid defender, I think he’d do well.

Sarah, you are spot-on re Charlize. It’s unprofessional of her to use her position on a podium where the world is watching to make snarky, disparaging remarks.

Saw a funny interview with Carlos Alberto Parreira (S. Africa’s manager) on Globo after the wc draw. You will recall that Parreira coached Brazil in 2006 and coached Brazil in 1998 (tho he was fired midway thru the tournament).

France eliminated Brazil in both tournaments of course. So the Brazilian reporters went up to him after the draw asking him how he felt being put in the same group as the old enemy. He laughed and said (paraphrasing) “yeah, it’s a French curse that follows me.”

Nice to know Wenger thinks Silvestre’s a great influence in the dressing room. If only he could be a great influence on the damned pitch!

I’m not surprised @ the poll of the French fans from France since the demographics of that country specially in the beautiful city of Paris has dramatically changed. Good luck finding anyone wearing the Jersey in Paris on game night unless they’re attending the match. Paris has a large population of Algerians, Moroccans, Portuguese, and also other African nations are well represented. I had people sitting beside me at the Serbia match in the Estade ,who were born in France of Algerian roots cheering for Serbia, so it’s no shock to me to hear boos or jeers or pessimism towards this L’equipe or any other team representing France.
Same Scenario this year in a pub in Lyon watching the match with French people of Moroccan decent cheering for Romania, and if you people recall the good goal that was called back by the Ref. in that game?
Anyway in my own non French view I have supported this team in the past and the present and future because they are quite capable of producing spectacular passing and creating memorable goals a la Henry’s goal against
Brazil. However inside France social identity of it’s citizens narrates a much different story line.
Please watch this movie out on DVD called “Entre Les Murs” you’ll get a better understanding of what I’m trying to convey.

So to overcome that, and win the public over, would be something.

In ‘98, it was that opening match. We could see that France were good. And they got better. Thuram – are you kidding me. That double was the greatest thing ever, except maybe the double that won the final. A couple of good ones anyway.

And in 2006, we felt it when we won 3-1 against Spain. After being 1-0 down from a penalty, France equalized from the magnificent Ribery.

We need a match like one of those; or rather 2 or 3 on the trot, in the knock-out stages.

I think this team might need big Pat Vieira to roll back the years.

“So to overcome that, and win the public over, would be something.”
Yes Jeff, couldn’t have said it better myself!

ForeverZidane …

If I remember correctly there were in fact several references to Les bleus in the film, Entre les murs.

While most of the students in the classroom identified with countries based on their ethnic origins, one of the male students of African origin refused to do so, stating that he is French. Full-stop. If I’m not mistaken he’s also the one who makes a most positive reference to our beloved if somewhat beleagured team. Also at the end of the film and after all the inter-racial/ethnic tension of the preceding two hours, some of the teachers and students play a pick-up game of footie in the school yard–perhaps a conscious allusion to the positive vibe of ‘98.

Yes Steven there are numerous references in the film regarding Les Bleus,
and so interesting that the problem student rejected from several different schools, who was of African origin was the most proud of being French and chose Zidane as his favorite player.
However the struggle for France continues.
For the French, the game of Football is just one of many sports that they enjoy and not their national sport, so their apathy is fully expected.

It was great to hear Mr. Messi support Mr. Henry? All of the latter’s accomplishments and Les Bleus dedication need to be promoted to balance out the handball conversation–which is getting stale! And when things get stale–the French know this best–to make them useful and yummy (think the origin of “French Toast”) one needs only to add some sugar and spice…
Note: If I sound a bit too Domenech for your taste just know that we are both Aquarius and proud supporters of Les Bleus

“thats why i wont follow my team the same way i did in 2006 or 1998…”

Who glory hunts their own national team…….? *Sigh* Either you support them or you don’t, pick one.

Hello friends,

First of all, about the Theron incident, I’ve chosen to just stop getting upset about it. The more attention it gets, the more often stupid acts like this will occur. I just hope France can impress in South Africa, if only to erase the memory of the Henry incident.

I can’t seem to find one bit of good news in this article, I hope our players get their act together. It is really too bad that we can’t get any more friendlies, I hope they practice a lot and have some skirmishes amongst themselves.

Jeff made a point to bring back Viera to “roll back the years”. I strongly agree. I would also love to see Trezeguet on the squad (riding the pine). Better yet, If we had Laurant Blanc (or Deschamps) as coach, we would really be in ‘98 again. As for Saha, I just don’t see it, maybe if we had, say, a 36 member squad for the World Cup instead of 23.

Looking into new players, I would like to see Gignac stay on the squad even after his mishaps against Ireland. I’m almost certain the Gourcuff and Benzema have a permanent home with France. I know Ben Arfa is a bit immature, but he has skill. I would like to see him have a chance (maybe against Spain in March) I really think with the situation France is in, he won’t act foolish, because we all know he wants a spot.

I do believe there must be 3 Goal Keepers on the world cup squad. If Lloris is 1, and Mandanda is 2, who gets #3? Coupet? I believe that his broken leg could be the decider.

I have received news that I will most likely be able to go to one of the France group stage matches, which one would you guys choose? I am leaning towards France Uruguay because its on the opening day, but the match against the host would be great to watch as well. This will be my first game viewed from the stands, I would certainly love a win.

183 Days 19 Hours, I honestly don’t know if I can last that long. Could someone freeze me until World-Cup-Eve? I’m tired of twiddling my thumbs, I need another hobby, any suggestions?

I’d choose France-Uruguay. Going to the match on the first night would be incredible.

If you go to the third match, the teams going through could already be decided, right? So I wouldn’t choose that one. Definitely the Uruguay match.

Jeff’s probably right, but I’m afraid France might need to win that game against SA to progress to the round of 16, which would make it doubly interesting.

It’s Jeff night!
1- I second the choice: Uruguay, even though it might not be the easiest. But it would be sweet to have some sort of revenge from 02.
2- Yes, Thuram’s double WAS something incredible. That alone gives a meaning to the words “Step Up” (in every sense) and even “Man on a Mission”. So funny how Manu Petit recalls just passing the ball towards some blue jersey and realising, “wow that’s Lilian! Huh! What’s HE doing here?”

Look at this goal Trezeguet scored 2 days ago, talk about rolling back the years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3J7qgR0_I0