France meets Spain, 27 June in Hanover at 9:00 PM German time (3:00 PM EST)
A meeting with a team of ageing veterans versus a team full of youth and inexperience. Look for Spain to run off the legs of Les Bleus, whereas Les Bleus will try and capture the midfield game.
Subtext:
An issue that is dogging the press is the continued fall-out from racist remarks made by Luis Aragones about Thierry Henry in October 2004. The Spanish coach has refused to apologise saying: “I won’t talk about it for another second. Why? Because it’s not like that. I have black, Gypsy and Japanese friends, including one whose job is to determine the sex of poultry.” What?? Thierry Henry says he has moved on. Luis Aragones was fined the paltry sum of $2000 for these remarks by the Spanish Football Federation.
Head-to-heads
Spain and France have met 27 times before. Spain have won 11, France 10. Six games have been drawn. This will be their first World Cup encounter. These nations have faced each other three times at the European Championship, with France winning twice (1984 final and 2000 quarter-final) and drawing once (1996 group phase). In fact, Spain have never beaten France in a competitive match.
Their last meeting was a friendly on 28 March 2001, which Spain won 2-1.
Spain, who have not lost for 10 World Cup matches, line up 4-3-3 with Raul joining the free-scoring Fernando Torres and David Villa in attack.
Skipper Zinedine Zidane’s return after a one-match ban means France revert to a 4-2-3-1 formation with Thierry Henry leading the line on his own.
From the Beeb
France coach Raymond Domenech has a few weird whims as well. He’s yet to name the same side twice in succession and does not trust players born under the zodiac sign of the Scorpio. There are no Scorpios in either squad.
In an era of mod-cons and fancy helpful tactical equipment, Spain’s Luis Aragones is very much from the old-school of coaching. His squad have done no video analysis of rivals in Germany. “It’s simply due to the fact that my players end up falling asleep with their mouths open while watching them,” he explained.
Squads
Spain: Casillas, Pablo, Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Pernia, Fabregas, Xavi, Alonso, Villa, Torres, Raul.
Subs: Salgado, Marchena, Albelda, Reyes, Luis Garcia, Antonio Lopez, Iniesta, Senna, Joaquin, Canizares, Juanito, Reina.
France: Barthez, Sagnol, Thuram, Gallas, Abidal, Ribery, Zidane, Makelele, Vieira, Malouda, Henry.
Subs: Landreau, Boumsong, Dhorasoo, Govou, Wiltord, Silvestre, Saha, Givet, Diarra, Trezeguet, Chimbonda, Coupet.
Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy).