A Shock is in Store for France in South Africa

France stirred up the most controversy en route to the 2010 World Cup and Al Dannity reckons the 1998 champions may not enjoy a lengthy stay in South Africa

How they got here
The short version is thanks to Thierry Henry’s arm but France’s trouble began early in the qualifying campaign. A defeat to Austria in the opening round of qualifiers gave France the worst possible start but the 1998 World Cup champions regrouped and won next time out against Serbia. What followed was a string of unimpressive performances. Narrow wins over Lithuania and the Faroe Islands, two draws against Romania and crucially a draw away to Serbia. That last result cost France an automatic place in South Africa as group winners and instead Henry and friends faced a two-legged playoff against Ireland.

Having won 1-0 on the road France went a goal behind in the return leg at home. With the aggregate score 1-1 at full-time the sides were forced to play extra time. William Gallas scored the crucial goal, following a handball by Henry which the officials missed, to secure qualification for South Africa.

Who to watch
Thierry Henry is the sole survivor of France’s 1998 World Cup winning squad and still a threat up front. The Barcelona striker is no longer scoring at the extraordinary rate with which he lit up the scoreboard for Arsenal but Henry remains a feared marksman in Europe.

While Henry may have a World Cup win to his name, France’s chances in South Africa will live and die with Franck Ribery. The battling winger made his breakthrough on a global stage in the 2006 World Cup. The German public appreciated his performances so much that Bayern Munich jumped at the chance to buy Ribery in 2007. Having risen of the depths of the French leagues, the winger now finds himself as the driving force in France’s World Cup campaign. Be sure to check out Ribery’s form when making any World Cup betting decisions involving France.

One player flying under the radar who could prove vital to France’s chances is Jeremy Toulalan. The defensive midfielder has helped Lyon progress to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. France manager Raymond Domenech knows Toulalan will need to control the middle of the park in order for France to have a chance at a deep run in 2010.

How they will perform
This may be the toughest team to work out in the whole tournament. If France can get out of the group then this is a team with the talent needed to get through the knockout rounds. I don’t like their chances of overcoming both the hosts and Mexico however so I’m going to go with the upset and predict France to be on the outside looking in, making an exit in the group phase.

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