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France changes focus
French had hoped to face Germany in semifinals
Posted: Sunday July 05, 1998 12:31 PM
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French coach Aime Jacquet was not surprised that Croatia beat Germany (AP) |
CLAIREFONTAINE, France (AP) --
The French fans were hoping for Germany, and
revenge at last. Instead, they'll they'll get Croatia in the
semifinals, and Les Bleus are fully aware that the World Cup newcomers
hardly play like rookies. "It's only a half surprise for me," French
coach Aime Jacquet said after Croatia's stunning 3-0 quarterfinal upset of
the Germans on Saturday. "Beating Germany 3-0 needs no further comment."
For the past week, the French media had been preparing the third
chapter of France's struggle against Germany in the World Cup semifinals --
one to add to the 4-3 loss in 1982 and a 2-0 defeat in 1986. "The
big revenge won't happen," wrote the French sports daily L'Equipe
Sunday under the headline "Croatia, That's No Present." And instead
of dreams of a grandiose match against three-time champions, memories are
drifting back to the European Championship semifinals of two years ago,
when France also faced a new central European nation it was supposed to
dominate -- the Czech Republic. Instead, it lost in a penalty
shootout, Jacquet's only setback in his four-career as coach of France.
"We have to watch out," Jacquet said Sunday. "It's a new nation, a new
flag and Croatia is very dangerous." Cratia broke away from Yugoslavia
in 1991 and is playing in its first World Cup -- a fact made even more
remarkable when one considers it is the first time it even tried to
qualify. Instead of a unmovable German bloc the players had been
expecting, it will be the individual brilliance of players like Davor Suker
and Robert Jarni that France now has to prepare for. Almost all are
veterans of Europe's richest leagues and have played with a rare sense of
pride for the red-and-while checkered flag of the Balkan nation of 4.7
million. "They are very strong individuals. They may not have the
mentality of Germany, but one player can make the difference," French left
back Bixente Lizarazu said. But Lizarazu is part of the most
stifling World Cup defense so far, one which includes that not-so-easily
intimidated likes of Marcel Desailly and Laurent Blanc. In five games, the
defense has allowed just a single goal -- and that on a penalty. "In my
mind, we cannot stop in the semifinals," Jacquet said. And after
three weeks of injury problems, France is living for Wednesday's semifinal
at the 80,000 Stade de France with little physical worries.
Star playmaker Zinedine Zidane has survived a two-game suspension and
against Italy
proved his value to the team. The only worry is that Les Bleus have
lost their scoring touch. After nine goals in the three first-round games,
the offensive outpour was reduced to a trickle. Only defender
Laurent Blanc has scored, tallying the World Cup's first Golden Goal.
Against Italy on Friday, both sides went goalless until the penalty
shootout. "If we keep creating chances, we'll score goals," Jacquet
said.
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