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World-France believe in destiny despite the gloom
Uphill battle
France has been dealing with a slew of trouble both on and off the field since falling to Italy in the 2006 World Cup title game. Can it get past its players' big egos, a disliked coach and that handball-marred qualifier to come together as a team?
Trainer
World-Factbox on France
May 18 (Reuters) - Factbox on France who are competing in Group A at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa:
Colours: Blue shirts, white shorts, red socks
Nickname: Les Bleus (The Blues)
Previous World Cup appearances: 12: 1930, 1934, 1938, 1954, 1958, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006
Best World Cup performance: Winners 1998
Coach: Raymond Domenech
Most capped player: Lilian Thuram 142
Top goalscorer: Thierry Henry 51
Talking points:
Fans wonder whether Franck Ribery's form will be affected by the lurid headlines after he was heard as a witness by police investigating a prostitution network.
Domenech would love to see playmaker Yoann Gourcuff live up to his reputation as the next Zinedine Zidane after below-par performances in recent months. More generally, Domenech needs the handful of gifted players in his squad to prove their worth, and form a team at last.
Another concern is William Gallas, France's most reliable central defender, who is hampered by a pulled calf muscle and faces a struggle to be fit for the finals.
Players to watch:
Ribery and Gourcuff, obviously, but also Thierry Henry, the France captain and their most prolific scorer, who has suffered since the handball incident that helped France to win their qualifying playoff against Ireland, and lost his place in the starting line-up at Barcelona
Raymond Domenech Played Goals Red Cards Yellow Cards
Goalkeeper
23 Cédric Carrasso
1 Hugo Lloris
16 Steve Mandanda
Defender
5 William Gallas
4 Anthony Réveillère
3 Eric Abidal
13 Patrice Evra
17 Sébastien Squillaci
22 Gaël Clichy
2 Bacary Sagna
6 Marc Planus
Midfielder
15 Florent Malouda
18 Alou Diarra
14 Jérémy Toulalan
8 Yoann Gourcuff
19 Abou Diaby
Forward
21 Nicolas Anelka
12 Thierry Henry
9 Djibril Cissé
10 Sidney Govou
7 Franck Ribéry
20 Mathieu Valbuena
11 André-Pierre Gignac
World-Penpix of France squad
PARIS, June 4 (Reuters) - Penpix of France's 23-man squad for the World Cup in South Africa:
1-Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyon). Goalkeeper. Born Dec. 26 1986. Caps: 10. Goals: 0.
Discreet, almost shy and with boyish looks, the 23-year-old Lloris has emerged as France's undisputed number one ahead of Steve Mandanda. Brilliant in one-on-one situations and reassuring on high balls, he has the makings of a world-class goalkeeper and now has the perfect stage on which to prove it.
16-Steve Mandanda (Olympique Marseille). Goalkeeper. Born March 28 1985. Caps: 13. Goals. 0.
An excellent shot stopper with a taste for spectacular saves, the Kinshasa-born Marseille keeper has lost his place as France's first choice to Lloris, the main reason being he is not quite as safe on high balls.
23-Cedric Carrasso (Girondins Bordeaux). Goalkeeper. Born Dec. 30 1981. Caps: 0.
After losing his place in the starting lineup to Mandanda at Marseille, he bounced back at Toulouse and then joined Girondins Bordeaux, playing a prominent role in their 2008-09 Ligue 1-winning campaign. Extremely reliable.
5-William Gallas (Arsenal). Defender. Born Aug. 17 1977. Caps: 80. Goals: 5.
The only totally reliable central defender in the France squad, the former Arsenal skipper seems to have totally recovered from the recurrent calf injury which had sidelined him since the end of March. Scored the goal that sent France to the World Cup at the expense of Ireland in a playoff but that was totally eclipsed by Thierry Henry's infamous handball seconds earlier.
3-Eric Abidal (Barcelona). Defender. Born Sept. 11 1979. Caps: 47. Goals: 0.
A left-back at Barca and for years for France, notably during the 2006 World Cup, he should play in central defence in South Africa with France short of options in that area. An excellent defender, he has a record, however, for costly blunders, and his season has been marred by a string of injuries.
13-Patrice Evra (Manchester United). Defender. Born May 15 1981. Caps: 29. Goals: 0.
Has just been voted best left-back in the Premier League ahead of Ashley Cole, which says it all. Fast and technically gifted, he is one of few truly world-class players in the France squad.
2-Bacary Sagna (Arsenal). Defender. Born Feb. 14 1983. Caps: 19. Goals: 0.
Fighting with Djibril Cisse for the most extravagant hairdo award, Sagna has distinctive blond braids bobbing from his head. He has also become France's undisputed number one right-back since Willy Sagnol retired after the Euro 2008 flop.
17-Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla). Defender. Born Aug. 11 1980. Caps: 20. Goals: 0.
A totally dependable, no-nonsense central defender, he has often played a role in Domenech's plans and might have become first choice had he not been persistently hit by injuries.
6-Marc Planus (Girondins Bordeaux). Defender. Born March 7 1982. Caps: 1. Goals: 0.
Schooled at Bordeaux, he has never left the club, becoming a stalwart of their trademark strong defence. Probably made the squad only because of the question mark over Gallas. Unlikely to play any match at the World Cup.
22-Gael Clichy (Arsenal). Defender. Born July 26 1985. Caps: 4. Goals: 0.
A talented left-back, he is the undisputed number one at Arsenal but when it comes to France, he has a problem called Patrice Evra.
4-Anthony Reveillere (Olympique Lyon). Defender. Born Nov. 10 1979. Caps: 5. Goals: 0.
Not often called up but always available, the experienced right-back will not grumble if he has to stay on the bench.
19-Abou Diaby (Arsenal). Midfielder. Born May 11 1986. Caps: 4. Goals 0.
Diaby, who stepped in for Patrick Vieira at Arsenal, is not unlike the former France captain, an efficient mix of athleticism and skills. A holding midfielder full of class, he could reach another level at the World Cup thanks to Patrick Vieira's absence.
14-Jeremy Toulalan (Olympique Lyon). Midfielder. Born Nov. 10 1983. Caps: 33. Goals: 0.
A Domenech favourite, Toulalan is a workaholic midfielder who has also occasionally been fielded in central defence by Lyon coach Claude Puel this season, which could be useful if Gallas has further injury problems.
18-Alou Diarra (Girondins Bordeaux). Midfielder. Born July 15 1981. Caps: 25. Goals: 0.
Has been regarded for years as the likely heir to Patrick Vieira and now has a chance to become that. After a tough spell at Bayern Munich as a teenager, he matured at several French clubs and lived up to his huge potential after joining Bordeaux in 2007.
15-Florent Malouda (Chelsea). Midfielder. Born June 13 1980. Caps: 53. Goals 3.
After struggling to adapt at Chelsea, proved his worth this season and was named best player for the Premier League champions by his team mates. Speedy left-footed winger with a taste for brilliant solo runs but also happy to do defensive duties when required.
8-Yoann Gourcuff (Girondins Bordeaux). Midfielder. Born July 11 1986. Caps: 19. Goals: 1.
One of a few players hailed as the next Zinedine Zidane, a tag not easy to live up to. An elegant playmaker with a touch of class, he needs, however, to step up a few gears if he is to emulate the balding maestro.
7-Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich). Forward. Born April 7 1983. Caps: 44. Goals: 7.
Domenech calls him a forward but he can make a playmaker or a winger. As long as he can show off his skills and race the ball forward, the energetic Ribery will be happy. Heard as a witness by police investigating a prostitution network, the most popular France player since the great Zidane must now show he has character.
12-Thierry Henry (Barcelona). Forward. Born Aug. 17 1977. Caps: 120. Goals: 51.
Excellent at football and occasionally at handball, Henry is the only survivor of France's 1998 World Cup-winning squad, although he did not play in the final. Also France's most prolific striker with 51 goals, the team captain and a substitute at Barca. Started France's first two warm-up games on the bench.
21-Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea). Forward. Born March 14 1979. Caps: 66. Goals: 14.
Once the enfant terrible of French football, he has matured to become their most reliable striker and a crowd-pleaser with his fine moves and unique skills. Ask the Chelsea fans.
10-Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyon). Forward. Born July 27 1979. Caps: 45. Goals: 10.
A regular member of the France squad since 2002 but rarely a starter, Govou is a tireless winger and a useful goalscorer. Fans at Lyon, his only club, love this cheerful, unassuming character and excuse him for being a party animal.
11-Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse). Forward. Born Dec. 5 1985. Caps: 12. Goals: 4.
A powerful striker with that instinct for being in the right place at the right time, Gignac burst into the limelight last season, winning his first cap and ending up as top Ligue 1 scorer. Not quite as effective this season, partly because of injury setbacks.
9-Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos). Forward. Born Aug. 12 1981. Caps: 39. Goals: 9.
The much-travelled, tattooed marksman took a gamble last year by joining Panathinakos. It paid off handsomely, Cisse winning the Greek League title and ending up top scorer to earn a recall.
20-Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique Marseille). Forward. Born Oct. 28 1984. Caps: 1. Goals: 1.
Diminutive forward with plenty of skill who used the first half of the season to win his place in the first team at Marseille and the second half to help them claim the title with dazzling displays. Celebrated his first cap with a goal in a 2-1 win over Costa Rica in a warm-up game.
1-Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyon). Goalkeeper. Born Dec. 26 1986. Caps: 10. Goals: 0.
Discreet, almost shy and with boyish looks, the 23-year-old Lloris has emerged as France's undisputed number one ahead of Steve Mandanda. Brilliant in one-on-one situations and reassuring on high balls, he has the makings of a world-class goalkeeper and now has the perfect stage on which to prove it.
16-Steve Mandanda (Olympique Marseille). Goalkeeper. Born March 28 1985. Caps: 13. Goals. 0.
An excellent shot stopper with a taste for spectacular saves, the Kinshasa-born Marseille keeper has lost his place as France's first choice to Lloris, the main reason being he is not quite as safe on high balls.
23-Cedric Carrasso (Girondins Bordeaux). Goalkeeper. Born Dec. 30 1981. Caps: 0.
After losing his place in the starting lineup to Mandanda at Marseille, he bounced back at Toulouse and then joined Girondins Bordeaux, playing a prominent role in their 2008-09 Ligue 1-winning campaign. Extremely reliable.
5-William Gallas (Arsenal). Defender. Born Aug. 17 1977. Caps: 80. Goals: 5.
The only totally reliable central defender in the France squad, the former Arsenal skipper seems to have totally recovered from the recurrent calf injury which had sidelined him since the end of March. Scored the goal that sent France to the World Cup at the expense of Ireland in a playoff but that was totally eclipsed by Thierry Henry's infamous handball seconds earlier.
3-Eric Abidal (Barcelona). Defender. Born Sept. 11 1979. Caps: 47. Goals: 0.
A left-back at Barca and for years for France, notably during the 2006 World Cup, he should play in central defence in South Africa with France short of options in that area. An excellent defender, he has a record, however, for costly blunders, and his season has been marred by a string of injuries.
13-Patrice Evra (Manchester United). Defender. Born May 15 1981. Caps: 29. Goals: 0.
Has just been voted best left-back in the Premier League ahead of Ashley Cole, which says it all. Fast and technically gifted, he is one of few truly world-class players in the France squad.
2-Bacary Sagna (Arsenal). Defender. Born Feb. 14 1983. Caps: 19. Goals: 0.
Fighting with Djibril Cisse for the most extravagant hairdo award, Sagna has distinctive blond braids bobbing from his head. He has also become France's undisputed number one right-back since Willy Sagnol retired after the Euro 2008 flop.
17-Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla). Defender. Born Aug. 11 1980. Caps: 20. Goals: 0.
A totally dependable, no-nonsense central defender, he has often played a role in Domenech's plans and might have become first choice had he not been persistently hit by injuries.
6-Marc Planus (Girondins Bordeaux). Defender. Born March 7 1982. Caps: 1. Goals: 0.
Schooled at Bordeaux, he has never left the club, becoming a stalwart of their trademark strong defence. Probably made the squad only because of the question mark over Gallas. Unlikely to play any match at the World Cup.
22-Gael Clichy (Arsenal). Defender. Born July 26 1985. Caps: 4. Goals: 0.
A talented left-back, he is the undisputed number one at Arsenal but when it comes to France, he has a problem called Patrice Evra.
4-Anthony Reveillere (Olympique Lyon). Defender. Born Nov. 10 1979. Caps: 5. Goals: 0.
Not often called up but always available, the experienced right-back will not grumble if he has to stay on the bench.
19-Abou Diaby (Arsenal). Midfielder. Born May 11 1986. Caps: 4. Goals 0.
Diaby, who stepped in for Patrick Vieira at Arsenal, is not unlike the former France captain, an efficient mix of athleticism and skills. A holding midfielder full of class, he could reach another level at the World Cup thanks to Patrick Vieira's absence.
14-Jeremy Toulalan (Olympique Lyon). Midfielder. Born Nov. 10 1983. Caps: 33. Goals: 0.
A Domenech favourite, Toulalan is a workaholic midfielder who has also occasionally been fielded in central defence by Lyon coach Claude Puel this season, which could be useful if Gallas has further injury problems.
18-Alou Diarra (Girondins Bordeaux). Midfielder. Born July 15 1981. Caps: 25. Goals: 0.
Has been regarded for years as the likely heir to Patrick Vieira and now has a chance to become that. After a tough spell at Bayern Munich as a teenager, he matured at several French clubs and lived up to his huge potential after joining Bordeaux in 2007.
15-Florent Malouda (Chelsea). Midfielder. Born June 13 1980. Caps: 53. Goals 3.
After struggling to adapt at Chelsea, proved his worth this season and was named best player for the Premier League champions by his team mates. Speedy left-footed winger with a taste for brilliant solo runs but also happy to do defensive duties when required.
8-Yoann Gourcuff (Girondins Bordeaux). Midfielder. Born July 11 1986. Caps: 19. Goals: 1.
One of a few players hailed as the next Zinedine Zidane, a tag not easy to live up to. An elegant playmaker with a touch of class, he needs, however, to step up a few gears if he is to emulate the balding maestro.
7-Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich). Forward. Born April 7 1983. Caps: 44. Goals: 7.
Domenech calls him a forward but he can make a playmaker or a winger. As long as he can show off his skills and race the ball forward, the energetic Ribery will be happy. Heard as a witness by police investigating a prostitution network, the most popular France player since the great Zidane must now show he has character.
12-Thierry Henry (Barcelona). Forward. Born Aug. 17 1977. Caps: 120. Goals: 51.
Excellent at football and occasionally at handball, Henry is the only survivor of France's 1998 World Cup-winning squad, although he did not play in the final. Also France's most prolific striker with 51 goals, the team captain and a substitute at Barca. Started France's first two warm-up games on the bench.
21-Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea). Forward. Born March 14 1979. Caps: 66. Goals: 14.
Once the enfant terrible of French football, he has matured to become their most reliable striker and a crowd-pleaser with his fine moves and unique skills. Ask the Chelsea fans.
10-Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyon). Forward. Born July 27 1979. Caps: 45. Goals: 10.
A regular member of the France squad since 2002 but rarely a starter, Govou is a tireless winger and a useful goalscorer. Fans at Lyon, his only club, love this cheerful, unassuming character and excuse him for being a party animal.
11-Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse). Forward. Born Dec. 5 1985. Caps: 12. Goals: 4.
A powerful striker with that instinct for being in the right place at the right time, Gignac burst into the limelight last season, winning his first cap and ending up as top Ligue 1 scorer. Not quite as effective this season, partly because of injury setbacks.
9-Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos). Forward. Born Aug. 12 1981. Caps: 39. Goals: 9.
The much-travelled, tattooed marksman took a gamble last year by joining Panathinakos. It paid off handsomely, Cisse winning the Greek League title and ending up top scorer to earn a recall.
20-Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique Marseille). Forward. Born Oct. 28 1984. Caps: 1. Goals: 1.
Diminutive forward with plenty of skill who used the first half of the season to win his place in the first team at Marseille and the second half to help them claim the title with dazzling displays. Celebrated his first cap with a goal in a 2-1 win over Costa Rica in a warm-up game.
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