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Super subs France's Wiltord, Trezeguet come out of shadows
Posted: Sunday July 02, 2000 06:45 PM
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) -- Italy was prepared to deal with France's burgeoning strikeforce of Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka at the Euro 2000 final. But France's two other strikers came out of the shadows to clinch the European title. Sylvain Wiltord broke Italian hearts with a goal deep into second-half injury time and David Trezeguet slammed in a brilliant "golden goal" to earn a 2-1 win for France over Italy on Sunday. Coach Roger Lemerre brought on Wiltord and Trezeguet as substitutes with France's dream of becoming the first country to add a European championship to a World Cup title apparently slipping away. "I'm delighted for Sylvain and David, because they came on and made the difference," said midfielder Youri Djorkaeff. Lemerre's gamble paid off handsomely. With seconds left in the fifth and final minute of injury time, Wiltord burst down the left. The Bordeaux striker appeared to have taken the ball too far but beat giant Italian goalkeeper Francesco Toldo with a low, angled shot. That set the stage for Trezeguet, who signed for Italian giant Juventus last week. In the run up to the final stages of Euro 2000, Lemerre emphasized that France's entire squad of 22 would play a role in France's attempt to win the European title for the first time since 1984. "This success is a great collective effort," said French reserve goalkeeper Bernard Lama. Wiltord and Trezeguet, who have resisted transfers to foreign clubs until this season, have made only fleeting appearances but both struck their second goal of the competition against Italy and will no doubt come to much greater prominence next season. Wiltord, 26, is desperate to leave Bordeaux. Arsenal, Deportivo La Coruna and Valencia head the queue for his signature and his asking price will probably grow to around US$15 million after his goal in Rotterdam. Trezeguet sealed a dream US$18 million move to Turin. Juventus' Mark Iuliano and Guinluca Pessotto could only look on as Trezeguet stunned Italy on Sunday but might at least be glad to see him in black and white next season.
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