Christ - that's hideously unlucky

I TRIED to dislike France: I had throughout the World Cup, which I was convinced they wouldn't have had a prayer in had they not been hosting it. Bear in mind that both my two 'other' favourite international sides, the Czech Republic and Spain, were knocked out by them en route too.

But in the end, I was massively impressed by them: not only did they play some absolutely magnificent football, but they had a self-belief and willpower about them that was positively Germanic. Any of the Czechs, Spanish, Portugal or Italy could have beaten them - but none did. Because you need an 'over my dead body!' attitude if you're to win international tournaments: which that French side, unusually for them, had in spades - and is the reason why Spain and Holland always seem to come up short.

Posted By: thebigfeller, Jun 5, 13:27:04