Wednesday, June 28, 2006

For the umpteenth time Spain flattered only to deceive. A young side brimming with zest and talent - after seeing them bulldozing their rivals in the group stage I thought Spain's moment of glory was finally round the corner.

I do have a soft corner for them, being a bunch of hugely talented individuals who just never seem to be able to put it together at the big stage. But then for once when the whole was equal to the sum of its parts, Spain ran into a bunch of players determined to coax victory out of a creaking reputation sullied by age.

Spain did show that their sheer pace could catch France on the wrong foot, but then those ageing French legs closed ranks and youth simply could not penetrate their way for the final thrust home.

The 1998 stars were very much in evidence - Patrick Vieira and the talisman himself Zinedine Zidane, with both helping themselves to goals. But can those ageing legs go all the way - with Brazil lined up next?

The French workhorse who impressed me though was Frank Ribery. He was certainly the livewire, slotting in the equaliser, busying himself creating chances and yes, he is one of those who has age on his side.

It's still advantage Brazil in the quarterfinals, but Ronaldo and company had better beware of a team which seems to be slowly inching towards its peak. And France has tons of experience to bank on, to see them through at the crunch. For Zizou it might just be sunset on his own terms, as he conducts the French orchestra.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

AGE-OLD BLEUS

Was watching France in action during the weekend. The Les Bleus hardly inspired confidence - disappointing draws against Switzerland and Korea, and they seemed to be carrying the baggage of age. Which other team has so many ageing remnants from a moment of glory, eight long years ago? And the talisman, Zinedine Zidane was a pale shadow of his old self.

Zidane's suspension, forcing him to miss the Togo match in a way was a relief to me. Tired as I was of an ageing side clutching at an equally ageing conductor, I was longing to see the younger lot try their luck at being playmakers.

No Zidane, and Patrick Vieira stood up to be counted. Responsibility seemed to have brought out the best in him. Also it was a pleasure to watch the likes of Frank Ribery playing a pivotal role. Not to forget throwing in David Trezeguet and Thierry Henry together.

Come Tuesday's Spain clash, and Zidane should be back. But the Zidane game is no match for the Zidane name now. Maybe, just maybe, a big occasion and a formidable rival could bring out those dormant seeds of genius.

Mind you, I am not a big fan of the Les Blues. But I wouldn't like to see a once-proud side limp into the sunset with its icon cutting a sorry figure. Especially after having followed the French through the euphoria of World Cup 1998 and Euro 2000.