French Samba Classics

If France lost in 1958 because one guy was injured, we can say the same about the 1998. You guys know about the Ronaldo illness, right? France played against a dead team. It was 11 French against no Brazilians that day. But I don’t like to cry after the damage is done. Ronaldo played because he wanted to. Zagallo agreed with his presence and we watched 10 men worried about the life of a friend for 90 painful minutes. Brazil could not win that day.

In 1986 we lost in PK, not that bad, but terrible at the same time. France deserved the victory.

France has been always a great opposition for Brazil. You can call Brazil ‘champions-elect’ but I call Brazil ‘defending champions’. At least we did not leave this World Cup in the first stage after scoring zero goals, right? Give us some credit!

I love Zidane for his talent, but now it’s time for Phoenix Ronaldo to rise once more. Good luck! May the best team win!!!

the 1958 was an historic one.
because, of the 5, THREE were by a young teen named…
pelé.
and you have to mention the place
for 1986 game for the beauty of the invocation when you say it.:au stade Jalisco de Guadalajara (Mexique) .olé

From damage inflicted by a 17-year-old named Pele to a masterful performance by Zinedine Zidane on the greatest night of their lives, France fans have vivid memories of World Cup clashes with Brazil.

“When you’re a football player, your first dream is to play in the World Cup and the next one is to meet Brazil there,” said France midfielder Patrick Vieira, summing up the excitement in the build-up to Saturday’s quarter-final against the holders in Frankfurt.

Of course Brazil has credit and is favorite. France, however will do its best to win.
I hope it will be a great game (with a good referee)

I don’t why no one remember the Confederation cup match between France and Brazil France won 2-1 or 2-0 this happend after the world cup, i guess the were lucky right?

let’ look at the history

Brazil beat France in 58 world cup

France beat Brazil in 86 and 98

FREINLIES

1977 IN MARACANA 2-2

1989 France beat Brazil 1-0

1992 Brazil beat France 2-0

this looks even to me.

To me, Ronaldo still the greatest striker ever. I told everybody he’ll be there this WC. Nothing to prove.

But, Euler, In 98 brazil didn’t conceed 3 goals coz of the ronaldo illness. As I know, he’s not the goal keeper.

I really hope this is another one to go in the books of great games in history.

The game in Mexico 86 in Gaudalajara was stunning, and enjoyable. It was my ever first world cup match I ever watched on TV. It prompted me to visit Guadalajara and I went to see the stadium where the match was played.

In 98, France beat Brazil fair and square. Ronaldo should have been subed if he wasn’t feeling ok. No one told Zagallo not to replace him. Brazil had a lot of players on the bench… It was a sweet victory!!!

Brazil think they are already in the semi finals. Good, that is how Spain thought. Brazil should win this match to prove they are really top class. France, has nothing to prove since they should start rebuilding next year…

I am expecting a classic.

Spanish referee…sigh

Brazil is something else. They’re from another planet. Check out some of Ronaldhino’s videos, the guy is a martian, born with football boots on. I wish FRance win, but losing to a team of people who were born with football boots on… you gotta admit you can still leave the pitch with your head up. I disagree though about the 1998 final, there are 23 players on a squda. if you can’t deal with one of them being injured or ill then you don’t deserve to win. The WC is not a punctual thing, it’s 4-week adventure and a great coach manages a great team till the D-DAY so that they are 100% on that day. France did just that. Thats also why I’m not buying some of the negative comments about the brazilian team not playing at their full potential, they’re just gearing up slowly but surely. It’l be tough for France, but they too are growing stronger every day. Let the best team win!

Yes, though French team is confident and especially reassured, they know that Brazil is favourite, and better physically and technically.
But some of our players will give the match of their life, so it will be tough on both sides.

Brazil didn’t play well until now, but they have not showed what they are able to, because they never feel ’stressed’.

Let the best win, and I hope Juninho will play, he is a ‘Monsieur’ at Lyon.

Oh my God.

why is that Idiot, Le Pen, still whining about players in the french team?

This is not really the time nor the moment for Le Pen to comment on our team before we face Brazil.

Look, the France team is composed by White, Black, Indian (yeah, Dhorasso is indian blood), and more bloods… So, If le pen has a problem with that, he can go f*&$#@ck himself.

I really wish this does not unsettle players.
http://www2.talksport.net/worldcupnews/worldcup_detail.asp?newsid=103622

OK. First, I would like to see Brasil and Argentina win and will cheer both teams as I want to see an all South American WC final – the first on European soil.

But my head says that France will defeat Brasil and Germany will win over Argentina.

France has improved with each game and played incredible defense against Spain. They tackled the ball handler quickly and did not provide any space for Spain to move the ball around. Brasil is weak on defense. They don’t tackle ball handlers early and will provide a lot of space for Henry, Zidane and Ribery. And their back line moves way forward and is slow so France can exploit that weakness particularly with Ribery’s speed. If France play like they did with Spain solid defense with early tackling and fast counter-attack they can catch Brasil off guard and score.

This pronises to be an excellent game. I think if France go in with a “nothing to lose mentality” they might very well…er…not lose.

The only thing I’m worried about is that our Goalkeeper aka “Ticking Time Bomb” aka “Clownshoes” will shit the bed. He hasn’t faced that many shots thruought the tournament, but if there’s one thing Brazil can do, it’s shoot the ball and shoot it well. I really hope Domenech’s horrible decision to put Barthez in goal won’t come beck to bite us.

Anyways, I hope to hear many chants of ET 1 ET 2 ET 3 ZERO on Saturday night . If we can beat Brazil we should be considered clear favorites to lift the cup on July 9th.

ALLEX LES BLEUS! ON EST TOUS DERRIERE VOUS! ALLEZ ZIZOU! LÈVE LA TROPHÉE POUR UNE DEUXIEME FOIS! Great way to go out!

The problem with drawing conclusions from the Spain game is how different Brazil is in terms of trying to defend them. Spain was small and relied on short passing and setting up a building offense (from midfield to goal). France did a great job in the 2nd half of disrupting Spain’s offensive build-ups by challenging the passer. Since Spain really has no size, when they did manage to get near enough the French goal to take a shot, France simply collapsed into blocking positions. Worked like a charm.

Problem is, doing that against Brazil is nearly impossible. Brazil does not rely on set offensive plays or any kind of build-up. They do those things, of course, but where they really rack up the goals is with their quick counter-attacks. Brazil hasn’t cared about winning the midfield battle in any match of this Cup, and that’s for a reason. They’re willing to concede the middle in order to conserve energy for the quick bursts on counters. It’s hard to argue with that strategy when you’ve got such awesome individual talent.

I think France would be best served playing an Italian style defense against Brazil. Bottle up the middle on your own third to force the action wide, and keep the fullbacks well behind the midline on defense so you have some presence to handle the counter-attacks that you know are coming. I don’t think France wants any part of a footrace with Brazil on either end of the pitch. Play for a 1-0 win or even a shootout after 0-0. France will play right into Brazil’s hands if they get overly zealous on offense. Think Italy!

Tascien:

This is from Thuram after yesterday’s press conference:

“Si vous le permettez, j’ai un message à faire passer. Si vous croisez Jean-Marie Le Pen, vous lui direz que, dans l’équipe de France, nous sommes très très fiers d’être français. Si lui a un problème, c’est que l’on n’ait pas de problème à être français. Et vive la France. Mais pas la France que lui veut, la France qui est vraie. Si vous regardez bien, la France est l’équipe qui chante le plus l’hymne national. Ensuite, sur le fait qu’il y ait trop de joueurs de couleur noire, je ne sais pas trop quoi dire puisque… je ne suis pas noir. Ce monsieur se présente depuis des années à la Présidence de la République et il ne connait pas l’histoire de ce pays. Il ne sait pas qu’on peut être noir et français. C’est un peu stupide. Il faudrait peut-être qu’il vienne avec nous pour fêter la prochaine victoire et voir que l’on est bien français.”

BRAVO THURAM
BRAVO LES BLEUS BLACKS ET BEURS
AUX CHIOTTES LE PEN
Quel Connard.

Thanks Alex,

I just don’t want the players to get into this before the match…

In 98, like euler said, Brazil really was a DEAD team. Everyone in the world saw that. The team just didn´t walk into the field. And this was the only way you could win.

YOU DIDN´T WIN, ***WE LOST***

But, of course, you french want to think that you played better and had a better team than Brazil´s but everyone knows this isn´t true. After all, it wasn´t us who lost to SENEGAL and then went to penalty shootouts to reach the final.

Typical european home team wins story, which we, south americans, know very well. This will be the only star in your shirt till you host other cup, while we´ll add the 6th to ours this year.

* * * * * * HEXACAMPEAO

It will be very sweet. Since you got “nothing to loose” and the pressure is all ours, well, i guess it will be ok for you to go down by, lets say, 2 x 1. We´ll retire Zidane and it seems to me that nobody will really be upset about it anyway. Is that the french spirit?

Blacksnake.com

Above post is sick…

Eagleeye

Hey, I hope Brazil don’t field a DEAD team on Saturday as well. They fielded a dead team in 98, and Fielded a dead team in Mexico 86. Get your coach to field live teams!!!

Gustavo, not at all. We french might be pessimists at heart, but no one here wants to see the greatest player of his generation leave the stage so close to the promised land. But we do have nothing to lose, yes, and I tend to think that is an immense advantage in this game. No one expected them to beat Spain, and that was probably one of the reasons we played so well against them. Les Bleus were liberated from all pressure and played as we say in France “sans complexe.”I think we’ll probably see the same thing on Saturday as the press and fans just want to see France give the Brazilians a good fight. France play a lot better with low expectations. On the other hand it will be interesting to see how the Auriverde perform against their first big team with everyone breathing down their necks complaining that they’re not seeing the Brazilian Joga Bonita Nike promised them… It could very well be another ‘98 finals scenario where they played utterly uninspired, nervous football. Hopefully for the both of us it will be a great game and both teams will be firing on all cylinders. With France winning on PKs, of course(ahhh 1986 all over again)

To Shuai: Ronaldo was not the goalkeeper but you missed the point. Please read again what I wrote. Thanks.

To Tascien: I didn’t say France didn’t win fair and square. I was just argumenting that in 1958 Brazil also won fair and square. France totally deserved the 98 victory. Ronaldo’s illness broke our team’s spirit, but that’s Brazil problem. No excuses.

This year we do have a real chance

euler : yep!

I just would like to say that . T.Henry is sleeping yet.
What damages goals he causes when he will be waked up

France

When you heard that it’s possible the brazil team was drug addicted by the french before the match (cf: BBC)
You can imagine anything to excuse a team not enough prepared to this D-DAY.

All World CUps are different, players and trainer so.
exepted the mentality

The aging all african colonial
team representing the very
soon to be islamic republic
of france will surely lose
to Brazil. Of this there is surely no doubt.

Frank Ribery is the only person making the team exciting, and he is the only young blood frenchmen i see as the french ronaldhinho. So it will be exciting to see Ronaldhinho vs Ribery.

PS. for the ones who play W11 (pro evo soccer), this guy officialy gets signed to my club

My head proved correct in the Argentina vs Germany game. But I did not expect the PK decision.

Argentina were let down by their coach. Instead keeping on the attack and substituting Crespo early with Messi to add some fire, he botched it completely.

As I also said my head says France will defeat Brasil. The main reason France has excellent defense while Brasil defense is very weak. They don’t challenge the ball handler and don’t tackle early so it gives lot of space for opposing mid-field to create openings. And France has speed in Ribery and Henry.

Let’s see if my head wins again or my heart gets a Brasil win.

I must disagree with you, ab, at least on one point. France does not have good counter-attack defense. They’re slow to respond. France does have good set defense in their own third (as do most teams with big fullbacks). I believe this gives a decided advantage to Brazil, who lives to counter-attack. They’ll concede the midfield (which they’ve been doing all Cup) and rely on quick strikes. France may well score on Brazil, but probably not enough. I still think 3-1 Brazil, although a higher scoring affair would not surprise me. Wouldn’t something like 6-4 be fun to watch?

John

France has shown specially in their game against Spain, they challenge the ball handler early removing space for the passing game. And they were solid in the box. Their defense does not push forward that much providing people in the back field to slow down a counter-attack.

Brasil on the other hand has a huge weakness in defense. Their center backs are weak. And Cafu and Roberto Carlos are more in attack than defense. France has good speed in counter-attack with Ribery and Henry. Since, Brasil is happy to give up the mid-field and their defense does not tackle the ball handler early it will provide Zidane more space to create opportunities with his precise placement.

The best chance Brasil has to win this game is for the back line to be mostly behind their half line preventing Ribery and Henry from getting through and for their mid-field specially Kaka and Ronaldinho to control the ball more. And I hope they will play Robinho to start the game to provide them speed.

France did a great game against Spain. Before it, nobody could say how France would increase its level. On the contrary Spain showed its ideal way of playing before. French knew how to counter Spanish but Spanish didn’t know what French were able to do to control them.

I think it will be the same with Brazil, but against France this time. Nobody knows how a very good Brazil will play to control French team, but sure that Brazil thinks they will play like they played against Spain (strong midfield, Henry and Ribbery on counter attack, Zidane to serve them…). Brazil have therefore a huge tactical advantage.

I still hope for France anyway.

Zing! It will be a great game. With France’s newfound confidence, it should a battle of giants. I can’t wait.

But c’mon guys, you have to agree that there would be no better way for Zidane to retire from football other than playing against Brazil, surrounded by his Real Madrid friends Ronaldo, Robinho and Cicinho! Here’s to hope this will be the day (with all due respect).

Best of luck for both teams!

Peace,
Zé

Did anyone else notice that Zidane drew a Z on the pitch with his goal? Left down the box, cut back right around Puyol and then shoot left toward the near post. ALLEZ LES BLUES!!!

Come on you blues give em hell. My last hope is Les Bleus !! After my other team fallen out today (ARG). So come on guys give em hell. Allez les bleus!! Viva La France

I don’t know who to root for between Brazill and france game. I love both teams as they both have great players with a strong background.

good luck for both of ya!
To be honest, I was hoping france vs Brazil to be the final game. That match would be just brilliant.

for the good of the game, sport, i hope france will do it’s best to win.
they have the experience…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwGBSSgr4XA

You are correct…Brasil has had a very easy road so far, unlike Togo, Switzerland and South Korea.

To judge Brasil; Ronaldo is fat, Roberto Carlos & Cafu are old, Emerson is slow, Ronaldinho is off, the keeper is Brasilian and they have outscored their opposition 10-1.

Let’s be fair…worldwide Brasil is held to a higher standard. Don’t be mad at Brasil due the press & Nike promoting Brasil as the best.

France v. Brazil is
Adidas v. Nike
Jose+10 v. Jugo Bonito

Gah. Cringe inducing is about the only way to describe how any article about the Brazilian team strategy or their toilet manners includes a mention of this ‘Golden Quartet’ nonsense. An average at best central defense, along with a bunch of highly overrated wingers don’t make for a World Cup winning team. And it doesn’t stop there. Unfortunately for Brazil, it’s not all good (And this is putting it mildly) if you look beyond Ronaldinho and Kaka.

I can’t believe Brazil are favourites for this one, I really can’t. France with their rock solid defense and midfield (THE BEST IN THE TOURNAMENT. There, I said it! Because it’s as much about breaking plays in the midfield as it is about setting up goals) are clear favourites in my book. Yes the finishing needs to be sorted out a bit, but with THAT defense and midfield, all you need is to get it right once and you’re through. Then a second just to seal it and a third to show them the
‘98 final was no fluke, and then a fourth just to add insult to injury. *

* I don’t mean to sound too demanding, but perhaps a fifth? As punishment to Ronaldo for the ummm moon hair we had to bile our way through in the 2002 final.

Incase you haven’t already realised, GO FRANCE!!

Who the hell is this stupid Armando guy?

France are boring and they saw twilight ages ago, 8 years ago infact.

I hope Brazil kill the french

six nil

The world cup cannot be a spectacle if both the south american teams get bundled out.

i would like to thank “Hiren” for his kind words, apparently he knows nothing about football….and that goes for most of Brazil haters….

tonight France will be weighed, measured…and France will be given a bitter, tough lesson in 21st century football….

Obrigado Brazil……..

Hiren, its very rich for you to make such comments. A comment so far from the truth and greater than 2 standard deviations from the mean is quite simply ABNORMAL ( a euphemism).

In Brazil, the world can witness the beautiful freeflowing game at its best. Their passing, their relentless attack, their skills are simply of the highest order.

It is not a fluke that they have such a huge worldwide following. Your ridiculous comments about their supposed frailties merely reflects on your inferiority complex and self-oppression.

Yes, Brazil may lose because they don’t try to defend a winning margin, or because the referee may cheat, but certainly not the reasons you mentioned.

Rest in peace, and with non-sensical comments like yours, you should stick the cricket and curry, coz your intelligence cannot handle the simplicity of beautiful football

Aahahahahahahaha aboriginal James, if beautiful free flow is what you’re looking for perhaps you should try some nice hot curry yourself.

Johnny Fashka, apparently Pele too believes France will go on to win. But then, what does Pele know about football eh?

HIren, you are symbol of Hare krishna….fraudulent, stupid, idiotic and false. Pele did not say Brazil play bad football and ronaldinho is substandard.

You are obviously a one-eye Indian and all that malnutrition has affected your IQ as well. What is it that you put in your curry?

The mighty Aborogines reside in Australia you imbecile

FRANCE WILL WIN 2-1.BRAZIL HAVE GREAT PLAYERS,BUT SO DO FRANCE.PLAYERS LIKE HENRY,RIBERY,VIERA,GALLAS,MAKALELE ARE ALL IN THERE THERE PRIME.SO TO SAY THAT THEY HAVE AN OLD TEAM WOULD BE WRONG.THEY TO STRONG IN THE MIDFIELD FOR BRAZIL.

As we have been told that tonight it’s going to be Adidas vs Nike an Adidas victory is obviously in the interest of Europe’s economy and must therefore not be missed under all circumstances

Nike can go to HELL!!! Brazil is NOT well represented by this ecenomic hooligan!

My heart is not on any brand, but in our flag, our gereat nation. Go Brazil!!!

Phew, now that my team is out,

FRANCE YOU CAN DO IT!! Give us 98
final!! Send them home back to Rio

It is true…France has a real chance…

Parreira is not letting Ronaldinho play !! This is true… he moved back Ronaldinho so he cannot score…

Also everyone should know.. I all practices Brazil 2nd team won over Brazil 1st… Yes this is true.. 4×0, 2×1,5×2, 3×1,4×2

So why Parreira is choosing the loosing team ?

All country is very upset with him.. but I think they already made arrangments… If Brazil not Champion we will be hosts in 2014… Too bad we have to see this sad football..

So cheer up France.. You have wonderful chances..

I think France can do it and i truly hope they do France is doing great and in my oppinion the best way for a legend like Zidane to walk off a field is by leaving with 2 world cup titles under is belt even though i send my best wishes to France and Brazil and i keep my fingers crossed that France Brings this cup home! Allez les bleus!

[...] 20 minutes to go: Over on the France team blog, remembering the previous World Cup meetings between these two teams we have some entertaining games. France has won the last two encounters. I just hope we don’t go to penalties again. I don’t think my heart, or my fingers, can take any more. [...]

I am a huge Brasil fan…the better team won. Zidane made Kaka (he must have been hurt) and Ronaldinho look like little boys. Well done France.

Ahahahahaha James Hare Krishna might be stupid, fraudulent, idiotic and stupid but its still got you idiots hooked on.

Sorry eh, New Zealand isn’t exactly significant enough for me to know or care. And a Haka (ahahahaha) joke would be ummm too easy, even for a one eyed malnourised IQ deficient indian.

Btw, that hot spicy curry digested yet? How’s the free flow coming? Didn’t see too much beautiful free from from Brazil so you’d probably be hoping team rectum provides the entertainment eh? As it does on most Sundays (Or Fundays, as you’d call them.)

VIVA LA FRANCE!!!!!!!!!!! MAN IF FRANCE BEATS GERMANY IN THE FINAL WHAT A WAY TO GO FOR THE GRETEST EVER ZIDANEEEEE!!!!!!!
VIVA LA FRANCEEEEEE

Zidane is the best player ever!!!!!!!

I have never seen such an elegant and talented player. Nobody even gets close to him!!

Allez Zizou!!!!

France showed today that, at the top of their form, they are the strongest team in the world. (It took some time for them to reach that form — remember Switzerland and S. Korea? — but now they’re there.) No one can move the ball as gracefully as them. It’s ballet. Zidane played beautifully, but credit should also be given to Ribery, whose speed was critical in creating chances, as well as the usual great French defense. I’m hoping for a France-Germany final.

(by this I mean the politician, not the blogger)

Congrats France! -Great game – I am actually an England fan but as you know theyhave been let down by huge tactical errors and bad personnel choices. This Game however I will watch many times – Brazil masters with the ball (at least on Video demonstrations) but lacking the order and discipline of this French team today – the Premiership players came through and Zidane too. Ronaldo McDonald was too fat like Beckham too out of shape to make the difference – He resorted to diving at the end like Beckham dived into the stands. I like Ronaldo though – but the coach played him to placate fans – not because he was the best choice against knowledgable European teams. But all in all – Great Game – the young ones can see how to stroke the ball effortlessly and how to beat a technically superior team by using great teamwork, passing,passing, passing…and patiently waiting for the kill. This is what makes Soccer/football the greatest team game. Let’s at least thank the British for that – but not for the likes of Beckham and Rooney.

BRASIL TRASH!
COACH PARREIRA SEU ….*&¨%$%$¨$#¨$$@##@

FRANCEE!