An up and down team

April 17th, 2006 | by: Chriso |

For a country that’s had so much to do with getting the World Cup started, administering the game , hosting two tournaments and producing some brillant players, France’s record in the World Cup is not that great.

Of the seventeen World Cups held so far, the French didn’t even qualify for six of them and in six others couldn’t get past the first round.
They seem to have a record of hitting a high point and then doing nothing for two or three World Cups.

Third place in 1958 was followed by not qualifying three times and going out in the first round twice.
After another third place in Mexico in 1986 they never made it to Italia 90 or USA 94.

A great World Cup win on home soil in 1998 led onto a really poor first round exit in 2002.
If there’s any reliable trend in French World Cup history its pointing to another below par performance this time round.

I hope not because they still have enough good players to do something in Germany.

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sil27

In my opinion the team is there and we have strong players in each and every department. What I think we lack, is the hunger of success. Unlike Brazil whose players play as if they have never won a world cup, the French players seem to me that they are not actually giving their 100%. Sometimes I conclude that certain players prefer their club rather than their national team. For example I never saw Henry playing for France as he does with Arsenal. Similarly holds for Trezeguet and others. I think the French national squad needs some form of boost of moral. And more than that if all the players give their full as they do with their respective clubs, the French team would definitely be one of the best in Germany. In my opinion certain key players play in a reluctant and relaxed manner with the national team. Maybe because they have their place secured and guaranteed?