Comments on: Yoann Gourcuff grabs his chance in his first start for France in a 2-1 victory, and who is that new player on the left? I like the look of him. http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/yoann-gourcuff-grabs-his-chance-in-his-first-start-for-france-in-a-2-1-victory-and-who-is-that-new-player-on-the-left-i-like-the-look-of-him.html France - World Cup - South Africa 2010 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:50:19 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jennifer http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/yoann-gourcuff-grabs-his-chance-in-his-first-start-for-france-in-a-2-1-victory-and-who-is-that-new-player-on-the-left-i-like-the-look-of-him.html/comment-page-1#comment-143964 Jennifer Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:27:01 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/yoann-gourcuff-grabs-his-chance-in-his-first-start-for-france-in-a-2-1-victory-and-who-is-that-new-player-on-the-left-i-like-the-look-of-him.html#comment-143964 What a great showing by Gourcuff. Not that I'm amazed that he can play so well. If from what I know of Domenech's character...he'll drop Gourcuff like a hot rock as soon as the more important games roll along (not that this isn't important, but I mean like, bigger games) What a great showing by Gourcuff. Not that I’m amazed that he can play so well. If from what I know of Domenech’s character…he’ll drop Gourcuff like a hot rock as soon as the more important games roll along (not that this isn’t important, but I mean like, bigger games)

]]> By: Nikola http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/yoann-gourcuff-grabs-his-chance-in-his-first-start-for-france-in-a-2-1-victory-and-who-is-that-new-player-on-the-left-i-like-the-look-of-him.html/comment-page-1#comment-143962 Nikola Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:19:06 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/yoann-gourcuff-grabs-his-chance-in-his-first-start-for-france-in-a-2-1-victory-and-who-is-that-new-player-on-the-left-i-like-the-look-of-him.html#comment-143962 Govou was actually the one who directly won this game for France. I don't think he was better than Gourcuff or Anelka, but he's the one who dribbled trough the entire Serbian defense and gave a lovely ball for Henry to score. The goal from Anelka was a little bit lucky, a deflection of Krstajić directly to his legs, and it came at a time when Serbia really tried to open up and go forward. And while I still don't understand how did he manage to pass trough the back-line made of good and experienced defenders, Govou did a really fine job for France and I believe it would be unfair to drop him after such a good run of games. About the crowd, there were about 4.500 Serbian fans, and while I don't believe many people actually came from Serbia to see the game, there are many Serbs living in France that were more than happy to go and support their national team. You could actually hear them singing in many parts of the game, and I couldn't believe that I could hear 'Serbia, Sebia' and 'We want victory', sang in Serbian, of course, at Stade de France! Trust me that we don't recieve such a support even in our home games! :) Govou was actually the one who directly won this game for France. I don’t think he was better than Gourcuff or Anelka, but he’s the one who dribbled trough the entire Serbian defense and gave a lovely ball for Henry to score. The goal from Anelka was a little bit lucky, a deflection of Krstajić directly to his legs, and it came at a time when Serbia really tried to open up and go forward. And while I still don’t understand how did he manage to pass trough the back-line made of good and experienced defenders, Govou did a really fine job for France and I believe it would be unfair to drop him after such a good run of games.

About the crowd, there were about 4.500 Serbian fans, and while I don’t believe many people actually came from Serbia to see the game, there are many Serbs living in France that were more than happy to go and support their national team. You could actually hear them singing in many parts of the game, and I couldn’t believe that I could hear ‘Serbia, Sebia’ and ‘We want victory’, sang in Serbian, of course, at Stade de France! Trust me that we don’t recieve such a support even in our home games! :)

]]> By: Laurie http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/yoann-gourcuff-grabs-his-chance-in-his-first-start-for-france-in-a-2-1-victory-and-who-is-that-new-player-on-the-left-i-like-the-look-of-him.html/comment-page-1#comment-143959 Laurie Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:22:25 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/yoann-gourcuff-grabs-his-chance-in-his-first-start-for-france-in-a-2-1-victory-and-who-is-that-new-player-on-the-left-i-like-the-look-of-him.html#comment-143959 <em>Clichy said in an interview that the coach had chosen to start the players who worked the hardest during practice.</em> About freakin' time. I also agree with everything you say in #2. Raymond has always been so hesitant to use his subs. He seems to pick his favorite players and then just think, "Oh, he'll start playing well soon." If he ain't playing well after a half, get him off the field!! (And of course I am not minding that Anelka happened to be the beneficiary of this decision, or that he made the most of it.) I also agree that Govou will make way for Ribery. It's really the only choice, isn't it? He's not going to take off Gourcuff for at least a few more games, and he's wedded to two DMs and Henry, so that's about the only choice, isn't it? (The only other option I see would be putting Ribery on the left and taking Benzema/Anelka off the field for Henry, but I think he'd choose to take off Govou before he'd do that.) I do feel bad that just as Sidney is starting to shine he loses his spot to others who shine just a bit brighter. Clichy said in an interview that the coach had chosen to start the players who worked the hardest during practice.

About freakin’ time.

I also agree with everything you say in #2. Raymond has always been so hesitant to use his subs. He seems to pick his favorite players and then just think, “Oh, he’ll start playing well soon.” If he ain’t playing well after a half, get him off the field!! (And of course I am not minding that Anelka happened to be the beneficiary of this decision, or that he made the most of it.)

I also agree that Govou will make way for Ribery. It’s really the only choice, isn’t it? He’s not going to take off Gourcuff for at least a few more games, and he’s wedded to two DMs and Henry, so that’s about the only choice, isn’t it? (The only other option I see would be putting Ribery on the left and taking Benzema/Anelka off the field for Henry, but I think he’d choose to take off Govou before he’d do that.)

I do feel bad that just as Sidney is starting to shine he loses his spot to others who shine just a bit brighter.

]]> By: Benj http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/yoann-gourcuff-grabs-his-chance-in-his-first-start-for-france-in-a-2-1-victory-and-who-is-that-new-player-on-the-left-i-like-the-look-of-him.html/comment-page-1#comment-143957 Benj Fri, 12 Sep 2008 01:57:44 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/yoann-gourcuff-grabs-his-chance-in-his-first-start-for-france-in-a-2-1-victory-and-who-is-that-new-player-on-the-left-i-like-the-look-of-him.html#comment-143957 A good win for France. Several things surprised me about this match: 1) Domenech finally put on a true attacking mid (Gourcuff) in the center of the pitch. In the 4-4-2, France was getting absolutely nothing from the center and they were painful to watch going forward, especially after opponents figured out how to shut down the wings. This move seems to have balanced the team's attacking pattern, enabling them to play both on the wing and in the center. BTW, Gourcuff really surprised me. I was one of those who thought he hadn't done enough to merit a call up but obviously he had a great game. The Serbs were probably wondering "who the hell is this guy?" 2) Domenech actually made a good substitution! Bringing on Anelka for Benzema was obviously a good move. Nobody could have predicted that Nico was going to play as well as he did but Benzema was definitely having a very bad game. I was shocked that it only took Raymond one half to figure this out. Usually he brings on Anelka at 85th minute and plays him on the left wing. This time he put him in the center and Nico rewarded him with a very inspired performance. Then of course, Dom had to ruin it by bringing on Alou Diarra...Anyways, the FFF should probably tell Raymond that from now on, he will be up for review after every match. Being under pressure seems to bring out the best in him. 3) Serbia played a much more open game than I expected them to. You would have thought that they would imitate Austria and play 10 behind the ball but instead they really tried to go forward. I was shocked at how much space Gourcuff was getting. I can't wait until Ribery comes back. I think Dom may have stumbled upon a solid team. The only downside is that I think Govou is probably the one who is going to be on the bench once Ribery returns from injury. I like Govou: he may not be the most talented player out there but he works hard for the team, and France didn't have enough players like that before. Clichy and Gourcuff were good additions not only because of their talent but also because they really leave it out there. Clichy said in an interview that the coach had chosen to start the players who worked the hardest during practice. Link to the inteview: http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2008/20080911_094727_clichy-23-ans-que-j-attendais_Dev.html A good win for France. Several things surprised me about this match:

1) Domenech finally put on a true attacking mid (Gourcuff) in the center of the pitch. In the 4-4-2, France was getting absolutely nothing from the center and they were painful to watch going forward, especially after opponents figured out how to shut down the wings. This move seems to have balanced the team’s attacking pattern, enabling them to play both on the wing and in the center. BTW, Gourcuff really surprised me. I was one of those who thought he hadn’t done enough to merit a call up but obviously he had a great game. The Serbs were probably wondering “who the hell is this guy?”

2) Domenech actually made a good substitution! Bringing on Anelka for Benzema was obviously a good move. Nobody could have predicted that Nico was going to play as well as he did but Benzema was definitely having a very bad game. I was shocked that it only took Raymond one half to figure this out. Usually he brings on Anelka at 85th minute and plays him on the left wing. This time he put him in the center and Nico rewarded him with a very inspired performance. Then of course, Dom had to ruin it by bringing on Alou Diarra…Anyways, the FFF should probably tell Raymond that from now on, he will be up for review after every match. Being under pressure seems to bring out the best in him.

3) Serbia played a much more open game than I expected them to. You would have thought that they would imitate Austria and play 10 behind the ball but instead they really tried to go forward. I was shocked at how much space Gourcuff was getting.

I can’t wait until Ribery comes back. I think Dom may have stumbled upon a solid team. The only downside is that I think Govou is probably the one who is going to be on the bench once Ribery returns from injury. I like Govou: he may not be the most talented player out there but he works hard for the team, and France didn’t have enough players like that before. Clichy and Gourcuff were good additions not only because of their talent but also because they really leave it out there. Clichy said in an interview that the coach had chosen to start the players who worked the hardest during practice.

Link to the inteview:

http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2008/20080911_094727_clichy-23-ans-que-j-attendais_Dev.html

]]> By: Pierre http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/yoann-gourcuff-grabs-his-chance-in-his-first-start-for-france-in-a-2-1-victory-and-who-is-that-new-player-on-the-left-i-like-the-look-of-him.html/comment-page-1#comment-143954 Pierre Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:42:20 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/yoann-gourcuff-grabs-his-chance-in-his-first-start-for-france-in-a-2-1-victory-and-who-is-that-new-player-on-the-left-i-like-the-look-of-him.html#comment-143954 If Domenech had his way he would prob put 5 dm in the team! We need a proper number 10 in the team and Gourcuff showed that he could be that man to spark life into the team. If he leaves him out for a dm that would be criminal! I suppose he would think that Ribery could be the inspiration for the team but he is more of a wide player and 1 of the best out there, but we need a driving force in the center of the park to pull the strings so we will just have to see how he plans on selecting the team. If he drops him im sure there will be a public out cry cause he was the best player on the pitch but if he does play 2 dm's then i would rather see Flamini instead of Diarra cause he is more of an attacking force! If Domenech had his way he would prob put 5 dm in the team! We need a proper number 10 in the team and Gourcuff showed that he could be that man to spark life into the team. If he leaves him out for a dm that would be criminal! I suppose he would think that Ribery could be the inspiration for the team but he is more of a wide player and 1 of the best out there, but we need a driving force in the center of the park to pull the strings so we will just have to see how he plans on selecting the team. If he drops him im sure there will be a public out cry cause he was the best player on the pitch but if he does play 2 dm’s then i would rather see Flamini instead of Diarra cause he is more of an attacking force!

]]> By: Benjamin http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/yoann-gourcuff-grabs-his-chance-in-his-first-start-for-france-in-a-2-1-victory-and-who-is-that-new-player-on-the-left-i-like-the-look-of-him.html/comment-page-1#comment-143953 Benjamin Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:11:48 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/yoann-gourcuff-grabs-his-chance-in-his-first-start-for-france-in-a-2-1-victory-and-who-is-that-new-player-on-the-left-i-like-the-look-of-him.html#comment-143953 LAurie- No one went to the game because september is the month for strikes. Do you think people will waste their time at a france game, when they can be planning out what time to go on strike the next day??? thats asking too much from us :) i think we have a problem in adding gourcuff into the lineup. im totally down with not selecting diarra for an extra attacking player! LAurie- No one went to the game because september is the month for strikes.
Do you think people will waste their time at a france game, when they can be
planning out what time to go on strike the next day??? thats asking too much from us :)

i think we have a problem in adding gourcuff into the lineup.
im totally down with not selecting diarra for an extra attacking player!

]]> By: Laurie http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/yoann-gourcuff-grabs-his-chance-in-his-first-start-for-france-in-a-2-1-victory-and-who-is-that-new-player-on-the-left-i-like-the-look-of-him.html/comment-page-1#comment-143945 Laurie Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:25:35 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/yoann-gourcuff-grabs-his-chance-in-his-first-start-for-france-in-a-2-1-victory-and-who-is-that-new-player-on-the-left-i-like-the-look-of-him.html#comment-143945 Also, interesting link about the Henry-Gallas "rift." I'm still wondering who it was who gave the interview(s) at the end of '06 saying Titi was insufferable and had a "melon énorme." Also, interesting link about the Henry-Gallas “rift.” I’m still wondering who it was who gave the interview(s) at the end of ‘06 saying Titi was insufferable and had a “melon énorme.”

]]> By: Laurie http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/yoann-gourcuff-grabs-his-chance-in-his-first-start-for-france-in-a-2-1-victory-and-who-is-that-new-player-on-the-left-i-like-the-look-of-him.html/comment-page-1#comment-143944 Laurie Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:16:00 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/yoann-gourcuff-grabs-his-chance-in-his-first-start-for-france-in-a-2-1-victory-and-who-is-that-new-player-on-the-left-i-like-the-look-of-him.html#comment-143944 I was disappointed by the crowd as well. Although I have to say that when I was there for the Scotland game last year (at Parc des Princes, not Stade de France), the entire upper deck was filled with Scotland fans. SdF is bigger, and I'm guessing fewer Serbia fans traveled, so this size crowd might have been expected. For some reason Parisians don't always support the team the way other countries and other areas of France do. But you're right. Parisian crowds can be...unyielding in expressing their displeasure. Their loss. That was the best game the team has played in ages. I think I also read a headline somewhere that said that there were issues with the main subway train line from Paris to Stade de France, which is in St. Denis, a suburb. Since that's basically the only way people get to games from Paris, that could have been an issue as well? Maybe? And I also have to say that when I was at Stade de France for the France-England game in March, the stadium was packed and the atmosphere was great, so it doesn't happen all the time. I was disappointed by the crowd as well. Although I have to say that when I was there for the Scotland game last year (at Parc des Princes, not Stade de France), the entire upper deck was filled with Scotland fans. SdF is bigger, and I’m guessing fewer Serbia fans traveled, so this size crowd might have been expected. For some reason Parisians don’t always support the team the way other countries and other areas of France do.

But you’re right. Parisian crowds can be…unyielding in expressing their displeasure.

Their loss. That was the best game the team has played in ages.

I think I also read a headline somewhere that said that there were issues with the main subway train line from Paris to Stade de France, which is in St. Denis, a suburb. Since that’s basically the only way people get to games from Paris, that could have been an issue as well? Maybe?

And I also have to say that when I was at Stade de France for the France-England game in March, the stadium was packed and the atmosphere was great, so it doesn’t happen all the time.

]]> By: metamoralia http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/yoann-gourcuff-grabs-his-chance-in-his-first-start-for-france-in-a-2-1-victory-and-who-is-that-new-player-on-the-left-i-like-the-look-of-him.html/comment-page-1#comment-143943 metamoralia Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:05:55 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/yoann-gourcuff-grabs-his-chance-in-his-first-start-for-france-in-a-2-1-victory-and-who-is-that-new-player-on-the-left-i-like-the-look-of-him.html#comment-143943 Did anyone notice how many empty seats there were last night? It looked to be the whole upper third of the stadium. Apparently the crowd chanted "Domenech resign" on several occasions. Ouch! I wonder if there's anything to this. Whatever if was, I'm sure these guys really care about the team, and that it might have helped lift their game last night: http://www.setantasports.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/09/10/World-Cup-Henry-on-France/?facets/sport-space/football/great-britain-locale/ Did anyone notice how many empty seats there were last night? It looked to be the whole upper third of the stadium. Apparently the crowd chanted “Domenech resign” on several occasions.

Ouch! I wonder if there’s anything to this. Whatever if was, I’m sure these guys really care about the team, and that it might have helped lift their game last night:

http://www.setantasports.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/09/10/World-Cup-Henry-on-France/?facets/sport-space/football/great-britain-locale/

]]> By: Laurie http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/yoann-gourcuff-grabs-his-chance-in-his-first-start-for-france-in-a-2-1-victory-and-who-is-that-new-player-on-the-left-i-like-the-look-of-him.html/comment-page-1#comment-143942 Laurie Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:48:39 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/yoann-gourcuff-grabs-his-chance-in-his-first-start-for-france-in-a-2-1-victory-and-who-is-that-new-player-on-the-left-i-like-the-look-of-him.html#comment-143942 Lord, Jeff, of course you're right. The formation was 4-2-3-1, with BENZEMA as the lone striker and Henry on the left. My brain is so used to writing "Henry as the lone striker" after WC 2006 that my fingers refused to type anything else. Lord, Jeff, of course you’re right. The formation was 4-2-3-1, with BENZEMA as the lone striker and Henry on the left. My brain is so used to writing “Henry as the lone striker” after WC 2006 that my fingers refused to type anything else.

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