Our competition…

August 26th, 2010 | by: Jean-François |

As I eagerly await Blanc’s squad decision, which should be announced in just a few hours, I thought it may be important to take a look at our opponents’ squads for the upcoming matches.

First off, here is Belarus’ squad:

Gardiens de but

* Yuri Zhevnoc (Zénit Saint-Pétersbourg, Rus)
* Sergei Veremko (Bate Borisov)

Défenseurs

* Igor Shitov (Bate Borisov)
* Sergei Sosnovsky (Bate Borisov)
* Aleksandr Yurevich (Bate Borisov)
* Maksim Bordachev (Bate Borisov)
* Aleksandr Martynovich (Dinamo Minsk)
* Dmitri Molosh (FC Sibir Novossibirsk, Rus)
* Eduard Zhevnerov (FC Dnepr Mogilev)
* Sergei Omelyanchuk (Terek Grozny, Rus)

Milieux de terrain

* Yan Tigorev (FC Metallurg Zaporozhie, Ukr)
* Aleksandr Kulchy (FC Rostov, Rus)
* Aleksandr Helb (Stuttgard, All)
* Anton Putilo (Dinamo Minsk)
* Vyacheslav Helb (Shenzhen Ruby FC, Chi)
* Sergei Krivets (Lech Poznan, Pol)
* Sergei Kislyak (Dinamo Minsk)

Attaquants

* Vitali Kutuzov (AS Bari, Ita)
* Vitali Rodionov (Bate Borisov)
* Sergei Kornilenko (FK Tom Tomsk, Rus)

This is a VERY weak squad. If we are unable to beat this, then I guess there really is no such thing as rock bottom. There are no recognizable names on this squad but I few well known clubs. Don’t get too excited, Yuri Zhevnoc is Zenit’s third string goalkeeper. So I guess he is worse than the one who got a red card against Auxerre today, and his replacement. If we don’t beat this team by 3 or 4 goals it’s a letdown. We will face them on September 3rd.

Here is Bosnia’s squad (a bit scary):

Gardiens de but

* Kenan Hasagic (Istanbul BB SK, Tur)
* Asmir Begovic (Stoke City FC, Ang)
* Ibrahim Sehic (FK Zeljeznicar)

Défenseurs

* Mensur Mujdza (SC Fribourg, All)
* Ognjen Vranjes (FC Sherif Tiraspol, Mol)
* Safet Nadarevic (FC Eskisehirspor, Tur)
* Boris Pandza (KV Mechelen, Bel)
* Emir Spahic (Montpellier, Fra)
* Adnan Mravac (FC Westerlo, Bel)
* Sanel Jahic (AEK Athènes, Gre)
* Gordan Bunoza (FC Wisla Cracovie, Pol)

Milieux de terrain

* Haris Medunjanin (Maccabi Tel-Avic, Isr)
* Miralem Pjanic (Ol. Marseille)
* Elvir Rahimic (CSKA Moscou, Rus)
* Senijad Ibricic (Hajduk Split, Cro)
* Zvezdan Misimovic (Vfl Wolfsburg, All)
* Senad Lulic (Young Boys Bern, Sui)
* Semir Stillic (Lech Poznan, Pol)
* Sejad Salihovic (Hoffenheim, All)

Attaquants

* Ermin Zec (FC Genclerbirligi, Tur)
* Zlatan Muslimovic (PAOK FC, Gre)
* Vedad Ibisevic (Hoffenheim, All)
* Edin Dzeko (Vfl Wolfsburg, All)

Those of you who watch Ligue 1 will most likely recognize OL’s Pjanic. He really is a scary player to compete against. Especially since we don’t have a #10 of our own (Nasri, Ribery, and Gourcuff are unavailable for this match). This is a Young European Nation that is slowly maturing into a strong footballing nation. We need to beat these guys as well, it wouldn’t be as tragic as a loss to Belarus. However if Bosnia gives us trouble then we have serious problems coming from Romania. The game takes place on September 7th.

Also, I thought I should mention that yesterday Auxerre defeated Zenit St. Petersburg 2-0 to ascend to the Group Stage of the Champions’ League! It was an amazing match and is very good for all of French Football. This may also have given Pedretti a place in Blanc’s squad. We will know soon. The drawings for the groups take place tomorrow in Monaco. I’m sure that they will be posted on the Main Page.

Expect a post shortly with details and analysis of Blanc’s first competitive squad.

P.S. Know anything interesting about Bosnia or Belarus’ Teams? Please let us know by commenting below. (Anything will help because I know nothing about them!)

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Alex

How was HBA not included in this squad? He was very strong during the friendly against Norway, and scored France's only goal.

Additionally, why is Lass in the squad? He basically cost France the game against Norway, he is useless at Real Madrid, and no one is sure whether he has recovered from that illness.

Other than that, the squad looks decent.
http://france.worldcupblog.org/ OffsideSarah

Alex- HBA has boycotted training at his squad (Marseille) to force a transfer. Its a complicated story- but basically he's (alledgedly) training alone in Paris by jogging and playing tennis. But, he has refused to even go to Marseille to train with his team or play in games. In Blanc's words, he “eliminated himself” with his decision. Regardless of the lack of physical fitness (which was never his strength) he clearly has a lot of other emotional baggage (his father just gave an interview with Le Parisien accusing HBA's “advisor” of brainwashing him and turning him into a cult. You all know I adore HBA, but this was probably the right choice by Blanc. If HBA were to play and make an error- the fallout would be tremendous. He is not in the right frame of mind.

Lass didn't have a good game vs Norway but I think thats bc La Liga doesnt start until this weekend (same with Mexes and Serie A). Now they should be better acclimated and we will have a better idea of their abilities.
anon

I'm surprised to see Saha in the mix. Why Saha? Is he actually going to play? If you wanted an experienced hand on the bench (who isn't going to play), why not go with Trezeguet? And I agree that L Diarra should probably not play. I would've preferred to see Cabaye or Cheyrou. Also, why are there only 21 players named?
Michel-Olivier

so blanc is domenech in disguise, he went for athletic instead of skill and technical players just like domenech
Michel-Olivier

mourinho will not play lass cause his rubbish. with alonso, gago, khedira and pepe, lass is no longer needed.
http://france.worldcupblog.org/ OffsideSarah

I expressed my basic thoughts/expectations on France's Euro 2012 competition in my post on the draw in February – http://france.worldcupblog.org/team-news/france...
http://france.worldcupblog.org/ OffsideSarah

I love Louis! Saha is such a classy guy- Im glad he gets a shot after having to pull out of Domenech's Spain team with last minute injury. He has had some excellent past seasons for Everton- He is the most experienced forward we have, we need that when .

I think Trezeguet was not chosen because he has “retired” or “refused to play” in the past. I dont think Blanc wants to reward that with a call-up. Also, Serie A doesn't start until this weekend and given his age and inconsistent form he may want to see him play a few league games first.
anon

I suppose that's a good reason for not calling up Trez, but he does have experience and is maybe the last link to the 1998 team (other than Vieira, but France is stacked with CM's). Saha seems like a decent guy, just not the first person I would think of if going for experience.
pierrot

not saying belarus is fielding a strong side, but i would say alex hleb is a “recognizable name.”
http://france.worldcupblog.org/ OffsideSarah

Yes, Hleb is recognizable for 1 season with Arsenal. Since then, Id say he's returned to player oblivion.
pierrot

stuttgart, arsenal, barcelona, stuttgart again… just sayin', anyone who's followed football in the big european leagues for more than a year or so “recognizes” the name “hleb”
http://france.worldcupblog.org/ OffsideSarah

Yes, it is a fair point. Jean-Francois is clearly a Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern fan. They don't recognize greatness at other squads : )
http://france.worldcupblog.org/ Jean-François Racinet

haha nah, I hate Bayern and Real Madrid. I hate all German Teams. I only like Chelsea, but I never watch club soccer anyways. In the end I am only a French fan.
http://france.worldcupblog.org/ Jean-François Racinet

I am sorry Pierrot, I do not really follow club soccer. I do not have the time. Only Chelsea in the premiership and Bordeaux in Ligue 1. I also relatively follow french clubs in the Champions' League. I've watched Arsenal and Barcelona play plenty of times but never learned all the names. In the end all I really care about are French Players and the French NT.
Zlatan

There is one thing you haft know, Bosnia is better than Romania. First place in the group will be taken by France or Bosnia. Draw in Sarajevo will be a good result for you. Belarus is also a good team, and you can have trouble in that game as well. I saw them against Croatia couple of month ago, and they are not bad at all !

Bosnia has a bad defence and good attack. I look forward to se the game against Frnace. Bosnia plays 4-3-3
http://france.worldcupblog.org/ Jean-François Racinet

Thanks for the help! Yes France always has trouble playing away in Eastern Europe too. My Serbian friend told me that Bosnia is just as good as Croatia. I fear Bosnia more than Romania. We've played Romania many times in the past few years so we know them well. Bosnia are strangers. I would be satisfied if France draw Romania and Bosnia away. However the more I think about it the more I fear France may not qualify at all.