By Julien Pretot
PARIS, June 5 (Reuters) – Despite a style of play that has
not exactly filled the fans with enthusiasm, France go into the
Euro 2012 finals as potential winners only two years after the
fiasco that ruined their World Cup in South Africa.
A 2-1 win against Germany in Bremen in February showed Les
Bleus, who were unbeaten in 20 games after a 2-0 win over Serbia
last week, would definitely be a force to be reckoned with at
the finals – even though some of their performances in the
qualifers left something to be desired.
France looked likely to extend that unbeaten run to 21
matches against Estonia on Tuesday, six days before facing
England in their opening match in Donetsk.
“Everybody was a bit scared before the Germany game and
everyone has been pleasantly surprised by our match and by the
result,” said France coach Laurent Blanc, who took over from
Raymond Domenech after Les Bleus were knocked out in the first
round following off-pitch drama.
Domenech lost control of his squad in South Africa, with
striker Nicolas Anelka being kicked out after insulting the
coach at halftime in France’s 2-0 defeat against Mexico.
Almost two years later, the former world and European
champions have regained composure.
“It is nice to win in Germany but we still have a lot of work
to do to perform well,” said Blanc. “The victory in Bremen
showed we are able to raise our level on one game. But I say one
game. Whether we can do it throughout a competition is another
question.”
Blanc’s first ambition was to win one game in a group
featuring old foes England, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine, who
they demolished 4-1 in a friendly in Donetsk last June.
Continued…
