PARIS, May 18 (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, May 18 (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.

PARIS, May 18 (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, May 18 (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) – Uncapped Mathieu Valbuena and Marc Planus were retained by France coach Raymond Domenech when he trimmed his provisional World Cup squad from 30 to 24 players on Monday.

Forward Valbuena was rewarded for helping Olympique Marseille win the Ligue 1 title and Girondins defender Planus will provide cover for central defender William Gallas who is still struggling with a calf injury.

PARIS (Reuters) – Uncapped Mathieu Valbuena and Marc Planus were retained by France coach Raymond Domenech when he trimmed his provisional World Cup squad from 30 to 24 players on Monday.

Forward Valbuena was rewarded for helping Olympique Marseille win the Ligue 1 title and Girondins defender Planus will provide cover for central defender William Gallas who is still struggling with a calf injury.

PARIS, May 17 (Reuters) – Uncapped Mathieu Valbuena and Marc
Planus were retained by France coach Raymond Domenech when he
trimmed his provisional World Cup squad from 30 to 24 players on
Monday.

Forward Valbuena was rewarded for helping Olympique
Marseille win the Ligue 1 title and Girondins defender Planus
will provide cover for central defender William Gallas who is
still struggling with a calf injury.

PARIS, May 10 (Reuters) – France coach Raymond Domenech has
another chance to court controversy and test his shattered
popularity with the fans when he names his World Cup squad on
Tuesday.

The uncompromising Domenech, who is booed by the France fans
at every game, is likely to leave out several high-profile
players when he unveils his 23-strong list for the June 11-July
11 finals in South Africa.

WHISTLER (Reuters) – While top names failed to live up to unreasonable expectations in the Alpine skiing competition at the Vancouver Games, others shone through turbulent skies to provide a reminder of what the true Olympic spirit is all about.

Lindsey Vonn’s downhill gold and super-G bronze enhanced the American’s reputation as the queen of speed events and were a remarkable achievement after she bruised her shin in a pre-Games crash and broke a finger while competing.

WHISTLER, Feb 28 (Reuters) – While top names failed to live
up to unreasonable expectations in the Alpine skiing competition
at the Vancouver Games, others shone through turbulent skies to
provide a reminder of what the true Olympic spirit is all about.

Lindsey Vonn’s downhill gold and super-G bronze enhanced the
American’s reputation as the queen of speed events and were a
remarkable achievement after she bruised her shin in a pre-Games
crash and broke a finger while competing.