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Singing 'Les Bleus' France joins all-time greats with Euro 2000 win
Posted: Monday July 03, 2000 03:12 PM
PARIS (AP) -- France needed a last-gasp equalizer and a dramatic "golden goal" in the final but the world champion's Euro 2000 triumph was just reward for the outstanding team of the tournament. France, which became the first World Cup holder to win the European crown, looked the strongest, most cohesive of the 16 nations that took part in Euro 2000. In Sunday's incredible final, a Marco Delvecchio goal gave Italy the lead until the fourth and final minute of injury time. Sylvain Wiltord pounced to push the match into extra time before a golden goal winner from David Trezeguet. "After the World Cup, we've shown everyone that we're still the best team," said Marcel Desailly after the match in Rotterdam. It's difficult to argue with the powerful defender's claim. Whenever France looked in trouble at Euro 2000, it went up a gear with some world class soccer, adding steel and determination to its traditional flair. Spain had France on the ropes in the first half of its quarterfinal match but the world champion came out with all guns blazing in the second period and put on a magnificent display. In the semis, France trailed to Portugal at half-time but refused to buckle and came out a deserved 2-1 winner. "The achievement hasn't really registered. But we are very proud," said midfielder Emmanuel Petit after the final. "We were in desperate trouble with only 30 seconds left but it says a lot about this team that we still came back." France isn't the first team to hold the world and European titles simultaneously. Germany followed up its 1972 European title with a World Cup triumph on home soil. But Roger Lemerre's players can now be classed in the same category as the legendary German side of the early 1970s that included such stars as Franz Beckenbauer, Gunther Netzer and Gerd Muller. Zinedine Zidane was most observers' player of the tournament while striker Thierry Henry, voted man of he match three times, came of age at Euro 2000. Perhaps the most decisive performances of all came from goalkeeper Fabien Barthez. In the first 20 minutes of France's opening match against Denmark, he made two world class saves. Spain was thwarted on several occasions by the shaven-headed keeper and in the semifinals Barthez made a breathtaking save from Portugal's Abel Xavier in the last minute to keep France in the tournament. Once the dust has settled, the French can face the ultimate challenge: retaining the World Cup. Laurent Blanc quit international soccer at the very top on Sunday but experienced stalwarts Didier Deschamps, Youri Djorkaeff and Desailly will look for one last shot at international glory in 2002. France can also look to a promising crop of young talent. Goalkeeper Mickael Landreau, defender Philippe Christanval and midfielders Stephane Dalmat, Peter Luccin and Martin Djetou all have an eye on 2002. But after leading his side into the record books, Lemerre insists there is more in store from his current squad. "I have felt for a long time that we have the best players in the world," an emotional Lemerre said after the victory over Italy. "The story isn't over. These players can do more great things."
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