TIGNES, France (Reuters) – Divided and miserable two years ago, France have pledged to unite and have fun at the World Cup in South Africa to avoid a repeat of their Euro 2008 flop.

Since arriving at the scenic Alpine resort of Tignes for a week-long training camp, the players have taken part in a series of unusual group activities in search of harmony and “healing.”

TIGNES, France (Reuters) – Divided and miserable two years ago, France have pledged to unite and have fun at the World Cup in South Africa to avoid a repeat of their Euro 2008 flop.

Since arriving at the scenic Alpine resort of Tignes for a week-long training camp, the players have taken part in a series of unusual group activities in search of harmony and “healing.”

TIGNES, France, May 24 (Reuters) – Divided and miserable two
years ago, France have pledged to unite and have fun at the
World Cup in South Africa to avoid a repeat of their Euro 2008
flop.

Since arriving at the scenic Alpine resort of Tignes for a
week-long training camp, the players have taken part in a series
of unusual group activities in search of harmony and “healing”.

TIGNES, France (Reuters) – France defender William Gallas’s fitness worries appear to be over and he will almost certainly play in the World Cup finals in South Africa, fellow defenders Gael Clichy and Sebastien Squillaci said on Sunday.

Uncertainly about the fitness of Gallas, who is recovering from a calf injury, is the reason why France coach Raymond Domenech named a provisional squad of 24 players instead of the official 23.

TIGNES, France, May 23 (Reuters) – France defender William
Gallas’s fitness worries appear to be over and he will almost
certainly play in the World Cup finals in South Africa, fellow
defenders Gael Clichy and Sebastien Squillaci said on Sunday.

Uncertainly about the fitness of Gallas, who is recovering
from a calf injury, is the reason why France coach Raymond
Domenech named a provisional squad of 24 players instead of the
official 23.

TIGNES, France (Reuters) – Losing Lassana Diarra for the World Cup is a “hard blow” for France, coach Raymond Domenech said on Sunday.

Midfielder Diarra, who left the team on Saturday after missing training for three days because of persistent stomach pains, has been ruled out of the June 11-July 11 finals in South Africa.

TIGNES, France, May 23 (Reuters) – Losing Lassana Diarra
for the World Cup is a “hard blow” for France, coach Raymond
Domenech said on Sunday.

Midfielder Diarra, who left the team on Saturday after
missing training for three days because of persistent stomach
pains, has been ruled out of the June 11-July 11 finals in
South Africa.

TIGNES, France (Reuters) – France midfielder Lassana Diarra has been ruled out of the World Cup because of persistent stomach pains, a team spokesman said on Saturday.

The holding midfielder had not trained for three days after feeling unwell on a hike up a glacier in the French Alps resort of Tignes, where France are in a week-long training camp.

TIGNES, France (Reuters) – The France players, whose popularity has reached a depressing low after a string of dismal displays, gathered in the French Alps this week in search of a team spirit that might help them win back their fans’ hearts.

There is little to suggest the former world and European champions, who have been booed by their own supporters in recent outings, can make an impact at the World Cup.

TIGNES, France, May 22 (Reuters) – The France players,
whose popularity has reached a depressing low after a string of
dismal displays, gathered in the French Alps this week in
search of a team spirit that might help them win back their
fans’ hearts.

There is little to suggest the former world and European
champions, who have been booed by their own supporters in
recent outings, can make an impact at the World Cup.