Preview: France vs. Spain
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
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
Buy a France jersey to support the team
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
Team Roster
Buy a Spain jersey to support the team
TEAM BLOGS & DISCUSSIONS
France Team Blog
Spain Team Blog
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Comments
Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 40 comments.
Read the rest of the comments
By SES | June 27th, 2006 at 7:48 pm 
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.
Posted from 
United States
By Roland | June 27th, 2006 at 7:50 pm This could be the best game of the second round.
Posted from United States
By Ubi | June 27th, 2006 at 7:59 pm 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!!!
Posted from 
Canada
By Dave Hamilton | June 27th, 2006 at 8:05 pm 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
Posted from 
Germany
By futbol | June 27th, 2006 at 8:11 pm It’s good that BRA won’t meet ARG unless it’s final game. Otherwise, this is EU cup not World cup
Posted from United States
By Deviilz. | June 27th, 2006 at 8:14 pm 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..?
Posted from 
Malaysia
By futbol | June 27th, 2006 at 8:18 pm It’s going to be a close and exciting game. And SPA will win
Posted from United States
By Carolina | June 27th, 2006 at 8:19 pm If all the Spanish are racist … are all the Americans like Bush?
Football is only a game
Sorry for my english
Posted from 
Spain
By Ubi | June 27th, 2006 at 8:19 pm 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!
Posted from Canada
By Ubi | June 27th, 2006 at 8:23 pm 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.
Posted from Canada
By eric | June 27th, 2006 at 8:26 pm world cup soccer yes.
NFL world champion??
Posted from United States
By Zé | June 27th, 2006 at 8:29 pm Prediction: Spain 2 - 0 France.
Posted from 
Brazil
By Norbert | June 27th, 2006 at 8:39 pm Prediction:
Spain - France 2:1!
Posted from Germany
By Matt | June 27th, 2006 at 8:41 pm 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.
Posted from United States
By squiggle | June 27th, 2006 at 8:48 pm 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.
By squiggle | June 27th, 2006 at 8:52 pm And if France lose, I hope Zidane has a great final match.
By shuai | June 27th, 2006 at 11:11 pm The field talked…. Hahahahahahahahaha its too gooooooooooooooooooood!!
Posted from 
France
By Ipolite | June 27th, 2006 at 11:31 pm 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.
Posted from United States
By GOOD BYE AND GOOD RIDANCE | June 27th, 2006 at 11:43 pm 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!
Posted from United States
By OneLove | June 27th, 2006 at 11:52 pm 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.
Posted from United States
By Murpoz | June 28th, 2006 at 12:01 am Espagna a la casa
Gooood mornig Brasil…………….
Vive la France
Posted from United States
By Bobbio | June 28th, 2006 at 12:03 am Zidane had a great match AND won!
Posted from 
Netherlands
By DIRTY STINKY SPANIARDS | June 28th, 2006 at 12:47 am JUSTICE SERVED!Thats all i have to say.
Posted from United States
By banjee | June 28th, 2006 at 1:18 am 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 !
Posted from France
By mathieu | August 31st, 2006 at 3:01 am 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
Posted from 
United Kingdom
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