Preview: France vs. Spain

June 27th, 2006 | by: WC Bob |

GAME DETAILS
France vs. Spain, Hanover, 21:00 CET
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World Cup Gear: France | Spain

THE BIG PICTURE
Spain enters the game riding a 20+ game streak without a loss. Spain won their three matches in group play and were impressive in the attack with Fernando Torres, David Villa and Luis Garcia playing some beautful football. They face a France side that finally broke through in their final group match against Togo to score a pair of goals. Spain and France have never met in the World Cup. The last time the two teams met was Euro 2000 when France defeated Spain 2-1 in the quarter-finals. With his retirement at the end of this competition, every game could be Zinedine Zidane’s last. Both teams are a full strength with no serious injuries or card suspensions.

Teams: Likely formation; shirt numbers, name, caps, goals, coach:

Spain (4-3-3): 1-Iker Casillas (60-0); 15-Sergio Ramos (13-2), 5-Carles Puyol (49-1), 22-Pablo Ibanez (13-0), 3-Mariano Pernia (3-1); 16-Marcos Senna (5-0), 14-Xabi Alonso (28-1), 8-Xavi (39-1); 11-Luis Garcia (12-3), 9-Fernando Torres (33-13), 21-David Villa (11-4) Coach: Luis Aragones

France (4-2-3-1): 16-Fabien Barthez (83-0); 19-Willy Sagnol (41-0), 15-Lilian Thuram (117-2), 5-William Gallas (43-1), 3-Eric Abidal; 4-Patrick Vieira (90-5), 6-Claude Makelele (46-0); 22-Franck Ribery (6-0), 10-Zinedine Zidane, 7-Florent Malouda (15-2); 12-Thierry Henry (81-35) Coach: Raymond Domenech

LIVEBLOG
Follow the match highlights as they happen on the France vs. Spain LiveBlog and stop by to leave your thoughts and comments about the match

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IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS

France

Napoleon made his battle plans in a sandbox.

The Eiffel Tower has over 2.5 million rivets, 15,000 iron pieces, over 40 tonnes of paint and there are 1652 steps to the top.

What is called a “French kiss” in the English speaking world is known as an “English kiss” in France.

France Team Blog
<a href="http://france.worldcupblog.org/group-g/2006-france-world-cup-squad.htmlTeam Roster
Buy a France jersey to support the team

Spain

The 16th century Escorial palace of King Phillip II of Spain had 2673 doors.

In Spain children leave their shoes under the Christmas tree the night of January 5th and presents from the Three Kings (Los Reyes Magos: Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar) appear the next morning. Santa Claus is called Papa Noel and some children receive presents both days on December 24th (from Papa Noel) and on January 6th (from the Three Kings).

Spain whilst well over two and a half times the size of the UK, its coasts are nonetheless, only a quarter the length of those found in the United Kingdom.

Spain Team Blog
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TEAM BLOGS & DISCUSSIONS

France Team Blog
Spain Team Blog

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DIRTY STINKY SPANIARDS

COME ON FRANCE LETS SEND THOSE LOWLIFE SPANIARDS PAKCING BACK TO THEIR RACIST COUNTRY
susana

well, calling us like that way shows the world who is the racist person!
(And sorry for my bad english)
carlos

I have to agree with susana, you seem to have anger management issues. I would like to see a good game, a clean game and I hope Spain wins. We got robbed last world cup lets hope it doesn’t happen this time.

A por ellos oe
A por ellos oe
SES

I’m hoping for a Spanish win and a clean game. Let’s hope for no shady refereeing.
Kolombas

Oi Ispanoi einai Kolotrypides
black

Let them play the game. Let us enjoy this wonderful worldcup.
!!!! Grow up!!!!
http://www.geocities.com/thetropics/3416/errors_and_myths_about_brasilia.htm minhoca

Viva españa! …hasta que encuentras Brasil :-)
Addy

Spain will give a great fight…. But France will Win!!!
Deviilz.

my bookies gave me this odds:
Spain to win with a goal or more margin within the 90mins.
Which team to pick..?
DrOiD3

SPAIN > FRANCE

SPAIN 3 – France 0
Alex

This is what the World Cup is all about…Raw and unpredictable futbol between 2 of the greatest teams of all time. Anything can happen. As far as I see it, although Spain has been dominating its group and proven to be a very fast offensive side, France is very experienced and the Henry Zidane duo know how to step it up when they need to. My vote goes to France, by a small margin
Deviilz.

After the Brasil’s match…,I’m richer a little bit more..,hehehehe..!
Thanks to some brave blogger providing me with their piece of mind,I pick wisely.
Next,I’ve salivate for a Bra. vs. Spain SemiFinal.
Possible…?
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

This should be Spain’s year and CUP, if they live up to their potential and promise. So far they have been impeccable in their finishing. France on the other hand look a shadow of their 98 past. On paper it should be an easy victory for Spain. But the ground reality is always different. This should be a tightly contested match, with Spain holding the edge.
javier

If Spain does not take this unique chance to beat France, is because they are just good for nothing. I predict the “furia” win by 2-0.

Any other positive result for France should be taken into account by spaniards kids to dedicate their efforts to play tennis instead.
Deviilz.

Opps..!I mean the Brasil vs Spain’s quarterfinal..,can it be a reality..?
SES

France may be the veteran and have the most experience, but Spain has enough charisma and desire to win for their entire country. Unless the ref issues a lot of bad calls, I see a Spain-Brazil quarterfinal.
Roland

This could be the best game of the second round.
Ubi

Susana is right, “dirty stinky spaniards” is a duchebag. I hope Spain wins, France as a soccer team is over, at least for this world cup. Lets go Spaniards lets go!!!
Dave Hamilton

I am back in form after nailing the Brasil game (3-0), but admittedly suffered a horrendous day yesterday because of a few minor late factors I didn’t anticipate, but that is sport. As I continue on comeback trail, I will keep my 2-1 prediction for France to win intact. Enjoy the game, everyone.

Dave hamildav@yahoo.com
futbol

It’s good that BRA won’t meet ARG unless it’s final game. Otherwise, this is EU cup not World cup
Deviilz.

As it’s seems,this is gonna be close right..?
Can old-France last the 90mins ,or the young-Spanish going to turn on the style and deliver the goods..?
futbol

It’s going to be a close and exciting game. And SPA will win
Carolina

If all the Spanish are racist … are all the Americans like Bush?

Football is only a game

Sorry for my english
Ubi

WOW! I never knew that BOB was the president of Kazakhstan. I feel special that he would take time out of his busy schedual to do this blog for us who arent as fortunate to watch the game because we are at work. For that I THANK YOU KAZAKHSTAN. You have a noble and kind president!
Ubi

Carolina and Susana, dont worry that guy is a jerk. He just said that to see if he could upset some people! Just ignore him.
eric

world cup soccer yes.
NFL world champion??
http://brazil.worldcupblog.org Zé

Prediction: Spain 2 – 0 France.
http://www.fussballwmblog.de/ Norbert

Prediction:
Spain – France 2:1!
Matt

Although France has the experience, they lack the creativity on the attack. Spain will get a man in and outrun one of the French defenders ending in a 1-0 Spain Victory. Mais je dois dire que je preferais si la France gagne. Malheureusement, ils n’ont pas l’equipe cette annee.
squiggle

I love both France and Spain but I’m very much hoping for a French victory tonight. The thought of the loathesome Aragonés celebrating another victory is horrible.
squiggle

And if France lose, I hope Zidane has a great final match.
shuai

The field talked…. Hahahahahahahahaha its too gooooooooooooooooooood!!
Ipolite

I am so happy that France won the game…..The result should tell the world (those that are racist in this world)racist people need to get over themselves.It is not about race (Spaniard Coach) it’s about who plays the game better and obviously the French did and did it well. Leave Germany now and go take some diversity classes.Please do it because it is for your own good.
Dont make the world hate the Spanish because not all are racist.
GOOD BYE AND GOOD RIDANCE

VIVA LE FRANCE! VIVE LE FRANCE! Adios Racist Spaniards!And to those you say that not all Spaniards are racist well why dont you stand up and do something about it,you would never see racist chants from the crowd in any american sport,sorry but if you do not stand up for whats right then you are condoning it.GOODBYE AND GOOD RIDANCE!
OneLove

So Glad Spain is going home,and i am even happier that France beat them,HEY Aragones,who is a Black s**t now,i have to agree with GOOD BYE,the spanish are very racist and they allow it to go on in the club games.If you saw the Spain VS Tuisia game you could see a confederate flag flying in the crowd,these people are disgusting and i am glad to see them go.
Murpoz

Espagna a la casa
Gooood mornig Brasil…………….

Vive la France
Bobbio

Zidane had a great match AND won!
DIRTY STINKY SPANIARDS

JUSTICE SERVED!Thats all i have to say.
banjee

I followed the game in a Stadium in Paris with so many french supporters, the stadium was full ! It was an amazing moment ! Hope to see it again against Brazil on Saturday ! I think France can do it again !
http://www.ffffootballteam.piczo.com mathieu

unlucky france but 2nd place is still great bye zidane (craking headbut)

i love the french football team

why doeas none talk about thirry henry?

evryone keep suporting the french