Disappointing French Football
Just 2 years after coming within a famous headbutt of winning the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the French national football (soccer) team crashed out of the European championships in the first round yesterday. In the process of tying Romania in a snoozefest, getting destroyed by Holland, and losing to ‘06 world champions Italy, France - one of the most talented offensive teams in the world - managed to score exactly 1 goal. This was far less than expected of an aging but still highly ranked team of superstars.
Barcelona’s Thierry Henry, who has been one of the planet’s top attacking players for years, looked distinctly ordinary, missing an easy goal in the Holland game that might have changed the final outcome. Chelsea’s fleet-footed Flourent Malouda seemed hopelessly lost and confused, and teammates Nicolas Anelka and Claude Makelele were downright pathetic when on the field. Inter Milan’s Patrick Vieira didn’t get in a game because of a thigh injury, thus taking up a valuable spot that could have been used by a fitter player. Not even the normally reliable French defense showed up in Austria/Switzerland where the tournament is being held. Only Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery exhibited a little of the class and toughness the 1998 World Cup champions usually display, and he was lost to injury within the first 15 minutes of the team’s deciding game against Italy, their opponent in that amazing ‘06 WC final. After he went off injured, France had no way back.
Chelsea, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan…some of the biggest teams in the world. Plenty of highly paid talent to pull from, which obviously has done wonders for the French over the last 10 years - 1998 World Cup title, 2000 European championship, and a second place finish at World Cup 2006. Coming into Euro 2008, France was ranked 7th in the world by FIFA, the sport’s governing body. In retrospect, this ranking seems highly inflated, especially given the squad’s average age and many of the top players’ lack of consistent recent form. Barcelona defender Lilian Thuram is a prime example. At 36 years of age, Thuram is a step slower than when he dominated opposing forwards just 2 years ago and is coming off a below-par season in the Spanish top division.
Perhaps coach Raymond Domenech - who cannot possibly remain in the job at this point - stuck with a successful group of players one tournament too long. That said, France also crashed out of the 2002 World Cup in the first round when considered favorites and with most of their players at peak form. Maybe it’s another case of a talented group of individuals not adding up to a great team. (Remember the last few US Olympic basketball teams?)
In the end, you might ask why I care about French football anyway. That’s a hard question to answer and is probably related to the talented individuals on display. One thing is certain, however: my support is rapidly waning. Moody and not particularly sporting in defeat, the French will have to find a new identity to make it to South Africa, where the World Cup will be held in 2010. And if they do make it, a different approach will certainly be required to progress from the first round. Otherwise, the revolving door of national team coaches may continue for awhile.