My Favorite Posts of 2007

I guess it’s that time of year, isn’t it? The time to look back at where we’ve been. Or, for our purposes, where the team (and consequently the blog) have been. So here are a few of my favorite moments and blog posts from 2007.

Favorite moments:

In theory I should probably list the moment France qualified for Euro ‘08. And yes, that was good. But since that was a result of Scotland losing rather than anything France did, it really doesn’t do it for me. Instead I think I’ll pick that Austria friendly, way back in March, when there were so many injuries to starters that Domenech, for once, did the logical thing and started the future. Clerc, Mexes, Diarra, Mavuba, Diaby, Nasri, and a substitution and first cap for Karim Benzema, who scored his first goal for France. (Hard to remember when Karim was an unproven quantity, isn’t it?) The goal — which I think is my favorite of the year — is at the bottom of this post.

Also on my list of moments was Thierry Henry breaking Michel Platini’s record. I haven’t always been the biggest Henry fan, but he deserved this. (Actually, he deserved a lot of things. But this is what he got.) And to then turn around and do it again a minute later? Magic. Goals shown here. And I also really enjoyed the photos of the team celebration afterwards.

As for my favorite blog posts… What can I say, except that they may not describe the most dramatic moments, but they’re the ones I had the most fun writing. In semi-chronological order:

Another Coupet Injury? Barthez, What did you Do?

What happens when Zidane slips away for a quiet moment of pleasure?

The perils of watching a game in an Irish pub.

Zidane learns dressage.

That Lithuania banner (because I find the issue of race and the France team so fascinating. Be sure to read the comments as well.)

Patrice Evra scores in Champions League as a rightback.

How does Sidney Govou like his women? A little on the round side.

Giuly’s version of Giuly and Estelle.

When Thuram met Sarkozy. (You know that Sarkozy’s divorced now, right? I believe this photo tells the true story.)

One English take on the Henry-to-Barcelona transfer.

All the goals from Faroe Islands, 2007. Beautiful!!

There could be a happy ending for Fabien Barthez.

But if not, we always have this video.

Why does this Bixente Lizarazu picture make my list? I don’t really want to think about the answer to this question.

Merry Christmas, guys!

And last, but probably my favorite, Roll Call. Thanks for sharing.

Happy New Year, everybody! Allez les Bleus!