LES BLEUS FONT CHUTER LE BRÉSIL (1-0), LA FRANCE RÊVE
[LES BLEUS FELL BRAZIL (1-0), FRANCE DREAMS]
1 juillet 2006 (Le Monde) - Les Bleus l'ont fait. Ils ont battu le Brésil, champion du monde en titre et favori de la compétition, grâce à un but de Henry sur une passe de Zidane. L'équipe de France a réalisé un match exceptionnel, emmenée par un triangle d'or Zidane-Vieira-Makelele au milieu de terrain, rassurée par une défense de fer et un Henry décisif. Les Bleus sont en demi-finale et rencontreront le Portugal, mercredi 5 juillet. [Front page lede]
FRANCE ! RÉVEILLEZ ET RÊVEZ !
Pourquoi Pas ?
LE MATCH PARFAIT
[THE PERFECT MATCH]
1 juillet 2006 (Libération/Reuters) - Emmenée par un immense Zinedine Zidane, l'équipe de France a tenu en échec complet les champions du Monde sortant 1-0 • Les Bleus, bêtes noires du Brésil, rencontreront les Portugais en demi-finale, mercredi • [Front page headline and lede]
SIMPLEMENT ÉNORME
[SIMPLY ENORMOUS]
2 juillet 2006 (L'Équipe) -L'équipe de France s'est logiquement imposée face au Brésil (1-0) au terme d'un match parfaitement maîtrisé.[Front page headline and lede]
We watched the Brazil-France match yesterday and Zinédine Zidane made believers of us. If ever one man could carry a team beyond themselves, it is M. Zidane. Jack was at the game. Happily his curse didn't spoil things.
Most gifted players tactically control the ball, converting local opportunities. M. Zidane is a gifted general who controls the field, developing strategies as his team sweeps down on the opposition. He positions his team mates according to a plan that he alone may know, but which each team mate in position understands tactically what part to play. M. Zidane's handling of the ball is never without intelligence. At one point in the game M. Zidane was tackled, and as he went down he protected the ball by pinching it into the back of his knee.
M. Zidane did not play the drama queen or mug or posture or pose for fans or cameras. He was focused, outwardly composed, always in the game -- the Bodhisattva on the soccer pitch.
Brazil's game was crippled early on by an over-cautious respect accorded M. Zidane by the Brazilian players, which he worked to their ruin. France's Zidane-to-Henry goal panicked Brazil and made their subsequent play sloppy and ineffective. Contrary to the uninspired broadcast commentary that insisted France must drive the ball after her goal, France burned the clock, in our opinion correctly. France needed to win, not outstrip her capacity trying to repeat yesteryear's 3-0 upset. There is glory and there is the bankable win. France wisely banked her 1-0 win.
Pave congratulations France on her win. We most especially salute Zizou, who, for us, embodies all that is best and admirable in his sport and France. Bonne chance against Portugal Wednesday.
PFFT (What is this?): Rayonnement français 5
Thanks for you TRUE Article with "Honneteté" and "Fair-Play"
C'été un Putaint de Bon Match
J'espère qu'ont la Gagnera cette Coupe du Monde
Ca Ferais Bien une 2ème Etoiles sur le Maillot...LoL
