TIGNES, France, May 20 (Reuters) – A young Olympique
Marseille player full of energy and skill who has never started
a game for France has been included in their World Cup squad
and dreams of making an instant impact on the big stage.

Four years ago, that description matched Franck Ribery
prior to the World Cup in Germany. This time, Mathieu Valbuena
is the player being thrust into the limelight at next month’s
finals in South Africa.

TIGNES, France (Reuters) – Hiking up an awe-inspiring glacier has helped France reach vertiginous heights in the past.

Doing it again, they hope, will help them make it back to the top after a run of dismal performances.

TIGNES, France, May 19 (Reuters) – France have the best
players in the world and are feared by their World Cup rivals,
defender Patrice Evra said on Wednesday.

Not listed among the top favourites for the June 11-July 11
finals in South Africa after an embarrassing early Euro 2008
exit and poor form ever since, the Manchester United left-back
believes France’s wounded pride can propel them to glory.

TIGNES, France (Reuters) – France have the best players in the world and are feared by their World Cup rivals, defender Patrice Evra said on Wednesday.

Not listed among the favourites for the June 11-July 11 finals in South Africa after an embarrassing early Euro 2008 exit and poor form since, the Manchester United left back believes France’s wounded proud can propel them to glory.

TIGNES, France, May 19 (Reuters) – Hiking up an
awe-inspiring glacier has helped France reach vertiginous
heights in the past.

Doing it again, they hope, will help them make it back to
the top after a run of dismal performances.

PARIS (Reuters) – If sky-high confidence and squad tranquility is needed for a successful World Cup, France should probably prepare to leave the finals in South Africa early.

The former champions have under-performed since reaching the final of the 2006 World Cup and needed a goal marred by that infamous Thierry Henry handball to qualify for this one.

PARIS (Reuters) – France have seemed to be running on flat batteries lately but a boost from their troubled dynamo Franck Ribery could provide a new lease of life on the pitches of South Africa.

France’s most popular player since the great Zinedine Zidane, Ribery is certainly skilful but what sets him apart is his ability to cover every area of the pitch for 90 minutes.

PARIS (Reuters) – The man French soccer fans love to hate, Raymond Domenech, has a point to make at the World Cup after which he will bow out and lead a quieter life.

Booed at every match and repeatedly reminded he has never won anything as a coach, Domenech has been left in charge until the June 11-July 11 finals in South Africa, but will be replaced in their aftermath.

PARIS (Reuters) – France need Thierry Henry to recapture his best form after a series of setbacks if they are to shine at the World Cup.

His country’s most prolific scorer with 51 goals in 118 internationals, Henry is one of the most gifted strikers of his generation but has been pushed to the fringes at Barcelona.

TIGNES, France (Reuters) – Departing France coach Raymond Domenech will not be seeking to make a point when he leads his team to the World Cup in South Africa.

Domenech, unpopular with France fans, will leave the job after the tournament following a turbulent spell in charge.