FanNation - The Republic of Sport

jeevs BS said 05/26, 05:52 PM
My selection is France. They not only have the most talented team in the tournament, but they have excellent team chemistry to go along with that.

They were also the runners up in the 2006 Fifa World Cup, a tournament they should have won if Zidane didn't deliver that headbutt. The defining factor in this team is the infusion on youth and experience, a key factor for Champions League winners Manchester United on their way to the title.

They have a veteran keeper in Gregory Coupet who provides superb leadership and is a rock in front of net. The back four of Gallas, Mexes, Sagnol, and Abidal/Evra is argubly the best in the world.

Superb defensive midfielder Claude Makelele ties the fine midfield together while German Bundesliga player of the year Frank Ribery and the likes of Florent Malouda and Samir Nasri (new Zidane) fly down the flanks.

But what strikes fear into the heart of Europe is the deadly attacking combination of veteran Thierry Henry with the most coveted youngster in Europe, Karim Benzema.

This is a long tournament and to be backed up by Vieira, Anelka, Flamini, Ben Arfa, and Toulalan shows the depth,experience, and quality of this incredible side.

jeevs BS said 05/26, 07:54 PM
I would seriously refute your points.

First of all, a Zidane-less France may be a better France with the attack not being focused around one player, creating balance between the team and allowing different points of attack and different players creating for others.

Having played with Zidane all tournament long, they didn't know what to do without him once he got sent off. That problem will not occur anymore, and players such as Nasri, Ribery, and Ben Arfa can create.

The biggest problem with the Italian team is that they are all old names living on past glory, they have little young talent and most of their players are no where near as good as they once were.

Cannavaro has been absolutley terrible for Real Madrid since the World Cup, Zambrotta has lost considerable pace, and Camoranesi's mobility down the flank has been slowed.

At 33, Del Piero also has lost pace, which will provide difficulty outside of the Italian league in different styles of play, and Toni is also very slow, causing problems. And don't forget, Italy's top striker Francesco Totti retired after the world cup.

Italy are not as good as the team that won the world cup, while France are better now.

jeevs BS said 05/27, 05:15 PM
First of all, Ronaldo and Zidane are totally different players. Ronaldo scores great goals for being in the right place at the right time and playing off others who create for him. Zidane is the creator, playmaker for the old France, and since there was only one, unlike with United's many playmakers, their attack was based around him.

The fact is, now, they have more players who do what Zidane did, creating balance from the team and multiple points of attack, which is deadly. Ribery, Nasri, Benzema, and others draw defenses like Zidane did. Many of these palyers weren't there in the World Cup.

In 06, Cannavaro came in as a fine defender, Zambrotta had pace, and Materazzi was solid. Coming into this tourney, the defense isn't that good, and without totti and faster forwards, neither is the offense. In 06, they were old, but still had pace and form.

Whoa, he sat out against TOGO! France could beat them with reserves.
Trezegeut didn't score in 06, and can't play well in France's new scheme, there is a reason he was overlooked. Two years for goalies makes little difference.

But this side has Benzema, the top scorer in France, Nasri, Flamini, Ben Arfa, etc. unlike 06.