LOLLL french football news report

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Opera hat, second stolen

The French started again their direct adversaries, to start with surprising Scotland, in the race with the Euro-2008. Beaten and rebattus by the British, the men of Domenech will have to thus fight until the end to see Switzerland and Austria next June. It is not gained.

Of our special correspondent in Paris

It was drôlement hairy, the Eiffel Tower. Yesterday afternoon, the hairy legs the robust ones Shelled, incidentally joyeusement alcoholic, took the air there. Pheasant feathers on the hat and impossible to circumvent kilt of rigour.

To believe that they were

on their premises, Highlanders

With the sound of the bagpipe, the impressive column of three-four time thousands of supporters shook on the eighteen hours blow. The Parisian ones of the cossu XVIe district did not include/understand anything, to thus see this peaceful horde, escorted like an official delegation, to span the bridge of Iéna and to invest like only one man the boulevard of President Kennedy. Cape on the door of Auteuil.

To believe that they were on their premises, Highlanders. All an incredible folklore which has what to transform you the Parc sacro-saint of the Princes into nice annexes of Hampden Park. That is to say the temple footballistic of Glasgow, where the French finished as sad parishioners last October, for what to date constituted their only misdemeanour (0-1) in the eliminatory race with the Euro-2008.

Put in confidence by their solid null match brought back Saturday of Milan (0-0), and rather re-installed to the idea to erase of their memory the sad Scottish memory, the men of Domenech thus had all the reasons of doucher the Scottish heats. The more so as a victory with the Park, deserted for ten years, had sent them almost in Austria and Switzerland the next summer.

Yes, but here is, the troop of Alex McLeish nourishes it also high ambitions. Passed in front of Italy and incomes at a very small point of Blue, with the favour of a clear victory at the expense of Lithuania (3-1), the Scot dream into soft of an exploit in Paris.

While taking as a starting point the the Italian method, with a diagram into 4-1-4-1 where Hartley (Celtic) camps the role of Pirlo and intrepid McFadden (Everton) that of†Pippo†Inzaghi, the British already manage to contain the disordered attacks of the blue squad, without idea nor arises. This one is however presented in an quasi-unchanged version of that which cooled San Siro, only Trezeguet coming to the relay from Henry, stupidly suspended.

France pains with

to take speed

There is well this resumption of Anelka (15e') in a closed angle, or this tallied striking of Malouda two minutes later, but France pains to take the Scottish defense speed. However, the Blue ones are échinent to quarter Scottisch in their great widths.

Lassana Diarra and Ribéry on the right, but especially Abidal and Malouda on the left, combine, are duplicated, swivelled and are erased so as to create the disorder in the Scottish heads. Revêches, those do not fall into the panel.

With the return of the cloakrooms, after, one imagines it, a tight realignment of Raymond Domenech, Vieira and them his are animated better intentions. They even arrive, the one moment space, to pack the part. In turn, Ribéry (55e') and especially Anelka (56e') are found in position to conclude. Gordon is with the parade.

Paris was

definitively hairy

Especially, the Scot answer of TAC TAC. Benefitting from the spaces left by a French medium party with the boarding, McFadden even comes to play the remake of Glasgow. Except that its striking, out of pivot with the 35m, is more sumptuous. Landreau, not free from any reproach, sees the ball slipping by in its attic window (64e').

This time, the Park of the Princes is entirely acquired with the Scottish cause. The songs rise spans, whereas the valiant men in white throw their ultimate forces in a defensive fighting of high flight.

France is beaten. Archi-beaten. Here it is even 3rd of its group, therefore not qualified, at two points of Scotland and one of Italy, winner in Ukraine (1-2). Yesterday evening, Paris was definitively hairy.

Sebastien Keller

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Euro 2008 (qualifications) - Scotland beats France: 1-0

A true black animal

Large false note with the Park, in spite of a quasi uninterrupted territorial domination France was still made surprise by robust and intelligent Scottish team. Here are which badly does not change things with the classification. The qualification harder than will be envisaged.

Of our special correspondent Christian FRICHET

PARIS. _ Scotland, modest private adversary of all the last final phases of the great expiries, will thus have made a success of the challenge to take six points out of six with the vice-champions of the French world. In Glasgow one roughly speaking allotted that to the context, this time it is quite other thing because the Tricolour ones, perfectly prevented, did not know to solve a rather simple problem ultimately: to work around a defense of nine, ten or even eleven players in spite of the monopoly of the balloon! What can one reproach the Blue ones? Eh well not large-thing on the state of mind. Contrary they coupablement failed in the final gesture, most important. 90 minutes lasting they will have tested but they fell on incredible warriors. Their awkwardness, a certain lassitude and a small lack of offensive punch made the bed with a disillusion terrible but not crippling still.

The Scot had come to make resistance, they made their provisions for that. First instruction: remained more grouped possible on a half-ground. Then to limit the number of faults to dangerous distances. Finally to reduce spaces between the lines not to allow tricolour to infiltrate. The plan functioned with wonder, if one had not seen the French dominating also clearly since good a long time, contrary this ascending territorial did not lead to the concrete one.

However one cannot reproach Blue for having failed in their intentions because they multiplied the initiatives of all kinds. Who more is with the concern of varying the pleasures. Sometimes they tried to pass on the sides with Abidal, Diarra, Malouda or Ribéry. Sometimes thanks to their very fluid set of master keys they sought the shift. A ceaseless ballet from left to right and from right to left which did not cause however the so much awaited catch. There were well one or two situations in 45 minutes which resembled vaguely occasions but nothing malicious good. Centers or strike remote, in any case Gordon hardly panicked. Just like the whole of its defense which seemed to take taste gradually with this setting in scene.

The Scot left practically never, once or two they simulated a collective aggression with a pretty steam pressing but well quickly they reinstated their camping, feeling that during the first time at least it was a question of remaining careful and concentrate on the fundamental ones. Nothing more! Thus France monopolized the balloon but to no purpose, time passed without much tremor even if with obstinacy all the tricolour ones, defenders, mediums, attackers put their salt grain at it.

In this case of figure, a stopped kick can save the business. However on the one hand the Scot did not concede practically any frank blow interesting and on the many corners, their air play often put them at the shelter. In short with the pause there was all the same already what to put questions, it was not yet question of discouragement but fatally confidence returned the Scot more convinced that their method was the good minute after minute.

The exploit of McFadden

In spite of his obvious goodwill, David Trezeguet, selected to occupy the vacant row left by Thierry Henry, happy or had not hardly been inspired in his way of slipping into the collective play. He constantly sought nevertheless to take part but it is true that the centers arrived only seldom at destination. However it is indeed the player of Juve which offered finally a true situation to Blue, une-deux with wasted Ribéry, the latter striking the guard, alone in front of him (54 '). And a minute later it is still him which gave an impeccable handing-over in withdrawal for Anelka, Gordon was with the parade. IEA! Under the intensity imposed by tricolour the match had unwedged themselves but appear you that that did not displease to the Scot inevitably, increasingly keen in the duels and prompt in counter.

And they were going even in the tread to benefit the best from the situation, in ambient frenzy McFadden inherited a balloon to thirty meters of the French goal, it was turned over and struck by closing the eyes. Side in full attic window, slightly advanced Landreau could only note the damage (63 '). You will guess it this goal still galvanized the Scot, they ruaient yourselves like deaths of thirst on the least small balloon. Bound in front of their goal, they never yielded a centimetre of ground. The Blue ones however sought still and still to force the bolt, Ribéry in particular pushed accelerations. But nothing made, it had there no more place to pass. Domenech left two defensive players, Vieira and Abidal for Nasri and Benzema. And still not of improvement in sight, the problem had indeed become insoluble so much the choices were bad in the last gesture. It was thus necessary to go obviously, the French, with end of arguments, let spin the victory. As in Glasgow, the trap had functioned perfectly.

C.f. (Christian FRICHET)

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The Scot ressuscitent the Park

PARIS. _ Matter of astonishment among others: there remained places with the sale all the day of yesterday, approximately 4.000, for this return of Blue in the residential districts of the capital. Here are which is all the more surprising that the old enclosure of the Door of Auteuil can contain almost half less spectators than the Stage of France. Include/understand why such a boudery for team in addition always such a valorous… It is a little as if the stronghold of the PSG made fear in whole France. Or the PSG in person… It is true that it seldom does without the festive things there for some time. Fortunately yesterday evening for the fun there was the Scot. Supporters one hears. Brilliant! Not only they stopped the holes in the spans, they were to finally reach the extremely sizeable figure of 15.000, the third only had tickets while leaving Eurostar, but especially they ensured the spectacle. A recital of bagpipe left the foot of the Eiffel Tower and which finished under the courtyards of the Park of the Princes. Even the services of safety were let tenderize! And Scottishs howled with the ear of the horses of the gendarmerie. The true danger to the sleep disorders of Parisian was programmed for the after-match… With a last subway at midnight thirty!

As it still made a temperature keep on the skirt, the kilt did not have anything incongruous on the contrary. Almost an atmosphere of Ovalie, moreover the colors of the Park cultivated ambiguity. A kind of milfoils, a section for the PSG, regular tenant, a section for the World cup of the rugbymen which will also return to the Park soon and a section for the usual trade of Blue, the shop with the memories mixed the kinds, it had airs of vast soldery.

Perhaps ten years later, Thuram and Vieira, substitute of then, remembered that they were of this last forwarding, it was against Italy within the framework of the Cut of the Confederations against Italy (2-2) in June 97. A a long time blessed ground since the greatest generations grew there, that of Platini in particular, until the drama with the Bulgarian taste which returned one evening of 93 of great curse called Kostadinov, celebrates forever in the black list of tricolour football. Gerard Houllier remembers it inevitably, his mine torn by the pain under the dismayed glance of an assistant named Aimé Jacquet haunts meetings of nostalgia. As in this closed world one is never miserly bizarreries it will be observed that tomorrow it is indeed Houllier which the Federal Council will establish DTN instead of Jacquet, acknowledge that the zigzag is crusty. Of what to wonder what will become the Domenech candidate who one badly sees cohabiting. We are not yet completely there.

The PSG had hidden it to us, in any case one did not remember more that the Park could be also a marvellous place to have fun the festival. More convivial and more cordial without any doubt than the spaceship of the suburbs but it is true that one does not face every four mornings of the adversaries as sympathetic nerves as the men of Glasgow. Place of this other traumatism of the national history.

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Great disillusion

Surprised as with the outward journey by Scotland (0-1), yesterday with the Park of the Princes, the Blue ones wasted in one evening the advance which they had on their adversary and Italy. From now on, a thing is sure: it will be necessary to gain in Ukraine at the time of the last day.

Ten thousand fans shelled invaded yesterday the streets of the capital to the foot of the Eiffel Tower. It causes an insane passion this World cup of Rugby. Stop! You are not there. These kilts came for France-Scotland to puff out frenchie… And if they braillent “Flowers of Scotland†as strong as their brothers of Ovalie, football is their only religion. To tell the truth, it parallel between the two balloons only that was not so eccentric yesterday evening.

Thus, like Argentina Friday in match of opening, the Scot spent their time defending by opposing a savage resistance to Blue private of Henry (suspended). And like Argentina, they waited their hour to carry the thrust. The outcome hurts. It of anything is not however usurped. On arrival, France is not sure any more nothing, and even less to qualify itself. Because the victory of Italy in Ukraine (1-2) seriously complicated the task to him. It which wanted to be saved a voyage at the risks in Ukraine at the time of the last day is been useful. The Blue ones will have to gain in Kiev at the end of November. All that not to have known to destabilize the so foreseeable Scottish play. There are eleven months already, in Glasgow, the men of the nasty piece of work Barry Ferguson had been satisfied to remain in their camp for better finding the opening on stopped kick (1-0). Trezeguet, which had then touched twelve thin balloons, had not appreciated. It is doubted that the attacker of Juve, established at the side of Anelka, was reconciled since with these frustrate British at the end of a new unimportant match. Miss rate/rhythm

But Scotland, organized into 4-5-1 with only McFadden at a peak, knows the receipt to eat very believed the French. The reading of the classification suffices thus for its happiness. By taking down its first success outside in these eliminating heats of the Euro-2008, Scotland seized the head of hen and could remain well there definitively after the reception of Italy on November 17.

For its great return to the Park of the Princes, ten years after his last appearance against Italy (2-2), France thus got footholds in the carpet. Damage also that after having applauded the Marseillaise, the Scottish public felt at his place at the point to give the tempo of the match in the platforms. Rate/rhythm, it is well what missed at Blue the four days after their good null match in Italy (0-0).

But Raymond Domenech had chosen to renew his confidence with the actors of Milan, like in Trezeguet charged to compensate Henry. Too much static in first half, lack imagination and percussion in the last thirty meters, the partners of Vieira seemed not to have retained the lessons of the match outward journey.

Masters of the balloon the 65% of time, they gave a lesson of master key to ten with their hosts Scottish. But neither Abidal (16) on a striking collected by far by Gordon, nor Ribéry with the reception of a center of Malouda (21), disturbed the feeling of impotence which escorted them. With the image of the duet Trezeguet-Anelka, taken in the funnel, France sought the opening in vain. A shooting tallied in 45 minutes, the spoils was thin. That of the Scot, was non-existent for him. Undoubtedly this was a question of patience. The missile of McFadden

The meeting again with the Park deserved a better fate. Undoubtedly was necessary it to show patience. One believed the time Ribéry to arrive on a shift of Trezeguet (55). Idem on a center in withdrawal of same Ribéry for Anelka in surface (56). Twice Gordons were on the good trajectory. And what was to arrive arrived. By play windscreen wiper in front of its adversary, the Blue ones were made surprise at the time when one expected it less. For that, one needed a personal exploit. It came from culotté McFadden, whose sudden striking of the left of the 35 meters was placed in full attic window of Landreau. Stupor in the steps. The 75 E match of Blue with the Park exhaled relents of France-Bulgaria (2-3 in 1993). The re-entries of Nasri (70) and Benzema (77) changed nothing there. It was known as that there was large to lose yesterday evening. Victory, the head of hen and much of certainty. In Paris, Vincent Seams A Paris (Park of the Princes): Scotland beats France 1 to 0 (MT: 0-0) Time: soft Ground: good Lighting: good Spectators: approximately 40.000 Referee: Mr. Klautz (AUT) Goal: McFadden (63) Warnings

France: Vieira (21), Nasri (74) Scotland: Fletcher (23), Hartley (58) the é quipes

FRANCE: Landreau - L. Diarra, Thuram, Escudé, Abidal (Benzema, 76) - Ribéry, Vieira (course. /Nasri, 69), Makelele, Malouda - Anelka, Trezeguet SCOTLAND: Gordon - Hutton, Weir, McManus, Alexander - Hartley - Brown, Ferguson (course.), F letcher (Pearson, 25), McCulloch – McFadden (O'Connor, 75)

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Euro2008: blue “anxious the but combative onesâ€

By Christophe Michel

PARIS (Reuters) - the shortly after the defeat against Scotland (1-0) with the Park of the Princes, Raymond Domenech, the selector of the team of France of football, does not want to lower the arms.

The Blue ones have three more matches - in the Faroe Islands on October 13, in front of Lithuania in Nantes on October 17 and in Ukraine on November 21 - to gain their ticket for the Euro 2008.

“One cannot not be anxious but one will not tremble while going to the Faroe one. One is anxious but combative, one cannot allow any more a failure, it is necessary to fight until the endâ€, said Domenech, at the time of a Thursday, press conference.

“Our chances were preserved but it is the case for the two teams, Scotland and France. What will count, it is on November 21, there will be a final classification. Front, one can always put forth assumptions…

“The players were killed and disappointed but they know that there remain three matches to be played.â€

France is currently third of the group B, behind Scotland and Italy.

Reconsidering the defeat, Domenech paid homage to the Scot.

“The Scot had success and it is not under estimating this team only statement that. Scotland is a beautiful team and for us, the least fault can have important consequences. I had said that the Scot were favorite and I will not change an opinion! They are placed best, they found the receipt twice against usâ€, said the selector.

“Two matches, two victories, one cannot say the opposite. If it anything had missed us, one would have gained, it is thus that it missed something. Scotland was solid, well in place.

“They did not draw much with the goal but once was enough. A striking that nobody waited, a guard (Mickaël Landreau) who touched the balloon but sufficiently did not divert it. A sudden striking and here.â€

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hmm from all the reports I can find, it seems the french people got carried away by the tartan army before and after the game and instead saw this as a tactical battle similar to italy. indeed from all over europe apart from england, there is a growing recognition of this teams abilities. Hehe the french are a little romanitque esque in a lot of the reports though, seems they got a thing for the underdogs winning too