FIFA: France recalls past glory

New Delhi: One of the founder members of FIFA- France has produced brilliant football players over the years.

Going into its 12th World Cup Finals, France will look to the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry to re-capture the glory of 1998, when they decimated Brazil in the final for their only Cup win.

Eight years ago, on a sultry Sunday in July, the Les Bleus ignited France with a historic triumph that shook the very foundations of World Football.

The entire nation went ballistic as the French team tore apart the famed Brazillians 3-0 in an unforgettable World Cup final.

Millions swarmed the streets on their way to the Champs Elysees as Zidane and his warriors finally delivered what had been promised for long by the likes of Michel Platini, the FIFA World Cup Trophy.

But the scenario changed just four years later as they made a hasty exit from the group stage in the 2002 championship, failing to score even a single goal.

This time, coach Raymond Domenech has a side that is a mix of talent and experience.

"It hasn't been easy. Everybody had nights and nights of doubts and insomnia. One never rules out somebody wholeheartedly. But drawing a list means ruling out people, talented people," said the French coach Raymond Domenech.

"So this list will not please everybody, it is obvious, it would be a miracle. But those chosen 23 are the 23 who will go to the World Cup. Whatever one says, whatever one does, whatever happens now," he added.

Domenech knows well enough that the odds are stacked against him. And he has to play his cards very carefully.

No wonder, there are only six survivors from the Cup-winning squad of '98.

Lilian Thuram, Patrick Vieira, David Trezeguet, Fabien Barthez, Henry, and Zidane who came out of retirement to lead the charge, for one last time.

While the butter-fingered Barthez would be a constant worry for Domenech, he will love the fact that in Trezeguet, Henry and Louis Saha, his team could have among the best attackers at the tournament.

Besides being the top-scorer in the English Premier League for a second time, Henry has found the net 33 times and Saha has come back with vengeance at Man U, striking 7 goals this season.

And of course, they'll have Zizou right behind them.

Do we look forward to an encore from the Les Bleus?