Updates Before France-Lithuania

It’s not as if he’s good looking. Yet as you say, there is a definite hotness there.

Wait. Did I just say that?
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bwahahaha. Laurie, let this article unconfuse you:
http://www.muriel-tournadre.com/index.php/2007/08/27/300-pourquoi-sebastien-chabal-est-sexy

If that doesn’t work, I seem to recall that Sandra has mentioned some nude calendar pictures in the past…? (actually, speaking for myself, I’m not sure if I’d want to see those)

Posted from  United States

Lithuania shouldn’t pose too much of a problem for us tomorrow. I am more afraid of the Ukraine, it will be their last game and they are going to want a victory against one of the world cup finalists and at the same time perhaps eliminating France. Ukraine are a dangerous team to play and now that they have nothing to lose they will be even more dangerous. Italy and Scotland will both have everything to lose so it could be a very cautious and defensive game and experience could be difference. I ultimately feel Italy will get the victory but Scotland may just do enough to get a draw. We will see.

Posted from  Canada

[...] Laurie wrote a fantastic post today on “Updates Before France-Lithuania”Here’s ONLY a quick extractFox Soccer replayed the Faroe Islands game yesterday and I got to watch parts of it. I found myself impressed with Jérôme Rothen’s ability to distribute the ball to his teammates, at least in the first half. And yes, Franck Ribéry was … [...]

Well, I’m not overly nervous. At this point, it’s to be played as playoffs anyway…you lose, you die. So you might as well play your heart out. France, I think, “likes” to be against the wall.
We know there are players that can get the job done. It all depends on what they will encounter. Probably a groupped defense and a counterattack setup. The conditions are well-known. The absolute necessity to score early, by any means. There could be some good far-away shots, there could be just one moment of brilliance from Ribéry or Henry or any other, which makes the difference. There could even be a stroke of luck when the ball bounces off a defender right into someone, the kind of goals France haven’t had for a while. I have a feeling Lithuania will not defend as well as Scotland and there will be at some point something loose.
But I almost can’t think of a team design. At some point, let’s try maybe the usual 4-2-3-1 for balance, but why not a 3-2-3-2 or something wild like that after a point? Just so there would be balls coming, and two people to receive them!
In the end, it’ll be fine. I think Domenech never underestimates these kinds of teams. I see 2-0 and that would be enough.

re: our guy Chabal

I think he triggers a very interesting reaction in all of us, on many levels. He is so unlike the French stereotype that has been portrayed especially in US and UK media lately.
Here’s a pretty wild picture of him:
http://superfrenchie.com/?p=1387#comments

Hey Laurie, you and I are not the only ones — last week Chabal won the honor of being “the sexiest player at the world cup” in a national poll in France. Chabal has won the hearts of women around the world during this wc. And sure, he’s physically unlike the stereotypical French guy, but so are the entire French rugby team!!! Have you looked at that hottie Freddie Michalak??? That stereotype never held true anyway, the French are just as diverse physically as the rest of the world. Chabal also endeared himself to many of us when he broke down when France lost to England on Saturday.

As to the calendar….yes, there’s a calendar released every year of the French rugby team—very hot! And that photo of Chabal with the baby has become iconic — it’s part of a photo shoot he did for the wc — that baby is his daughter. I’ve seen photos of Chabal when he was a younger player (he plays in the English premiership) and you’d never think it was the same guy! No beard, no long hair or moustache.

And I agree about the Ukraine game — I am nervous about Lithania but I am far more nervous about Ukraine — esp. because it’s on their home ground, which is not an easy place to go to for a game. They have nothing to lose. As I write, btw, they’re beating the Faroe Islands and England have just lost to Russia in Moscow. I think the Lithuania game is about to start.

Posted from  United States

I agree entirely, Laurie, I was hoping for the same result. Still, it will be very interesting to see how they do v. Italy in Glasgow — after all, Celtic did just beat CL champions Milan in Glasgow.

Posted from  United States

ok, I’m very nervous — halftime and it’s 0-0!

Posted from  United States

Georgia just did us a major favor.

YES!!!

Posted from  United States

Ok, I can breathe easier now until November.

Posted from  United States

et nous avons gagné…

ALLEZ LES BLEUS!… la victoire est toujours en nous!

Posted from  United States

“And this puts me in the very awkward position of feeling like I need to root for Italy next month.”

Hmm. Very awkward.

Posted from  United States

I love france forever

Posted from  Serbia And Montenegro

Hello, everybody !! Laurie I read you went in France for the match against Scotland, i hope you weren’t too much disappointed. Tonight, the victory wasn’t easy and always strange tactical choices from Domenech which one day could pay badly. I m afraid Benzema will be no longer Lyonnais after this match.

Posted from  France

It’s France’s fault that Scotland are even in contention..What’s wrong with your fuckin team. This group should have been wrapped up last month. I think Ukraine is going to cause you a shit load of problems if Italy and Scotland draw. They are going to come out guns blazing with the intent of knocking you out. Good Luck to you!

Posted from  Canada

[...] Updates Before France-LithuaniaAnd l’Equipe seems to be questioning whether Karim Benzema will be starting against Lithuania, possibly due to the fact that he and Henry didn’t play on the same scrimmage squad in practice. And I’ve seen several articles wondering if … Posted in Lithuania | Trackback | del.icio.us | Top Of Page [...]

>>In the end, it’ll be fine. I think Domenech never underestimates these kinds of teams. I see 2-0 and that would be enough.