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That's some sport or the other? Right?
by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Wed Aug 3rd, 2005 at 11:42:22 AM EST
It's a game layed eleven a side with a round ball, and in the end the French win. Er, well...
by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Wed Aug 3rd, 2005 at 11:49:22 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Yes, I did mean played.
by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Wed Aug 3rd, 2005 at 11:50:19 AM EST
[ Parent ]
It is great news. There's nothing better in football than the French team playing well. (Sometimes there's little worse than the French team playing badly, but still...)
by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Wed Aug 3rd, 2005 at 11:52:01 AM EST
Claude was the invisble on-field backbone of Chelsea's winning season last year - I didn't realise that he wasn't part of the French team recently. Saw them in Korea at the last World Cup, and they were dreadful, and thus haven't paid them much attention of late.

"It's not time to go... it's Go Time!" My wife, 2004
by bornflippy on Wed Aug 3rd, 2005 at 12:41:29 PM EST
.
I believe Zidane was not playing because of injuries.

France arrived at the 2002 World Cup as firm favorites. Les Blues were the reigning World and European champions, the French team boasted a wealth of talented stars and who were fully expected to defend their title long into the tournament.

Your diary title does read -
BREAKING - Zidane back in French National Team

Les Blues meant to play as TEAM. It's disrespectful for your teammates when you let them play the qualifying games for the 2006 World Cup. Return of Zidane, will cost a fellow teammate his position on the pitch. I respect his abilities and his honors as European and World Player of the Year. I also believe in a man's word to retire from the National Squad. It's odd to return. Flawed choice by coach who has been under much criticism.

~~~

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Wed Aug 3rd, 2005 at 03:00:16 PM EST
Les Bleus devraient être les champions!!!

For the record, I'm a supporter of the French side since the 1998 tournament - and had to feel rather bad about their 2002 World and 2004 European 'success'.

But, since France won both the UC-22 and UC-19 championships this year, I think afew's modification of that English saying might well stick in the coming years.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Wed Aug 3rd, 2005 at 03:15:05 PM EST
by Oui (Oui) on Wed Aug 3rd, 2005 at 05:32:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]
but only because France wasn't taking part! :-)

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Thu Aug 4th, 2005 at 01:50:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]
.
Named as MVP at Youth World Cup - one of many talented players.
With a pair of penalties in the final against Nigeria, Argentine starlet Lionel Messi sealed the adidas Golden Shoe award as finals top scorer. He was followed by Spain's Llorente and Ukrainian sensation Aliiev. Also receiving the adidas Golden Ball as top scorer with a superior goals tally of six, the Argentine teenager marked his arrival on the international scene with a bang. Behind him for finals second and third-best players are Nigerians teammates John Obi Mikel and Taye Taiwo.

Lionel Messi action VIDEO <click video Meest Waardevolle Speler>

 
Golden Boy Messi

He's extraordinary talented and all-round - individual action, making openings and passing for assists and a goal getter. His abilities are potentially in realms of world class player like Zinadine Zidane. Messi has signed long-term contract `til 2012 with Barcelona and played in yesterday's 9-0 romp over China's champions, scoring two goals. Watch for him coming season in Spain and CL games, has a professional mindset, also similar to Zidane.

~~~

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Thu Aug 4th, 2005 at 01:29:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]
It really depends on your viewpoint - from an Irish viewpoint, this is terrible news. (Ireland is in the same World Cup qualifier as France.)
by piobar on Thu Aug 4th, 2005 at 06:50:45 AM EST
Seems like Thuram will be back too.

I don't know any team in the world that can afford to let Zidane, Makelele and Thuram aside. So now, depending on the choices of Domenech, we're basically back for the qualification to the next World Cup.

But I don't know if it's such a good thing in the long run considering that we - French - will still have to learn to play without Zidane.

by Jerome USA on Thu Aug 4th, 2005 at 02:49:01 PM EST

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