LiveBlog: France-Switzerland

June 13th, 2006 | by: Chris Heidrich |

The second draw of the tournment and it also finished 0-0. Not nearly as exciting, however, as France and Switzerland poked and prodded at each other without really showing any teeth. Both teams will be happy with the result as they look forward to the rest of the group to try and make up points.

Final: France 0-0 Switzerland

Full-Time: Thank goodness that borefest is over. Switzerland weren’t as uninspiring as, say Poland or Paraguay, and they had their share of chances which could have made this a real contest. The French showed they know where the goal is, but Henry could not find his normal killer instinct. Let’s hope he can get it back as it would be a shame for a player of his obvious talent to have a poor World Cup. The French can probably argue they were good enough to win it, but I wouldn’t say they dominated. Looking at the rest of the group, they probably aren’t unhappy with the result though.

92:26 – Frei misses a header from point blank range and get a yellow card for this trouble. Replay shows it’s well deserved after using his hand ala Maradona to try and score. He still missed which shows he’s not as talented as Maradona.

91:35 – Free kick for the Swiss wide right, surely the last attack of the game.

89:40 – Saha chest down beautifully for Dhorasoo but Tiramisu fires inches wide. Would have been a wonderful finish to an otherwise uninspiring game.

88:50 – I really don’t want this game to end as a draw. Who will step up and be a hero. Henry has ballted hard, but his shooting boots were left in the dressing room. Perhaps Trezuguet pawned those too. He’s a sneaky little bugger.

87:12 – A close up of Saha shows he’s trimmed his hair. Is this a disply of team support for those less fortunate in the team (cough…Zidane…cough…Barthez…cough…Henry).

85:25 – Degen suffering from some cramps. My girlfriend usually likes to eat chocolate when she has cramps. Luckily Switzerland is known for its chocolate and I fully expect Degen to recover swiftly. He’ll probably also ask me to mow the lawn during the next game.

82:00 – Nice one-two between Wiltord and Zidane. Wiltord jams his knee into the pitch under challenge and needs attention. he looks to be ok, but I can’t look at more replays of that. It just looks painful. In fact, Wiltord has been replaced by the very French sounding Dhorasoo. No bling for Dhorasoo as he throws his wedding ring at the French bench before running onto the field. Don’t worry Mrs Dhorasoo, he still loves you and Trezuguet isn’t ruinning into the locker rooms to pawn it off. Honest.

80:55 – Substitution for the Swiss. The equally wonderfully named Wicky makes way for Xavier Margairaz. I hope they’re not shutting up shop. This game is still here for the taking.

80:00 – Vieira earns the jeers of the crowd – French and Swiss alike – after a poor cross into the area. Just not seeing the quality we’d expect from a French team.

77:50 – Just struck me that we’v barely seen any shots from outside the area today. Certainly none from outrageous distances like we’v seen in other games. If there were any doubts about the effectiveness of the Teimgeist ball when shooting from long ranges, I think those have been answered in the opening days of the World Cup. Neither team today has tried their luck.

74:30 – Substitution for the Swiss. Mueller comes off and is replaced by Djourou who plays for Arsenal. Let’s hope he has an attacking bone in his body.

73:03 – Swiss really digging in now. I don’t know if we’ll see much of them in attack for the rest of the game unless they get a lucky break.

71:20 – Yellow card for the Swiss player Cabanas after a sliding tackle on Sagnol. Yellow card for Zidane after he tried to get on with the game and the ref decided he should have waited for the whistle. Bit harsh in my opinion.

69:52 – Sad point of the match. Ribery is out of the game. There is no more Ribery. On the plaus side, Louis Saha is much, much easier to type. I’ll try to work in an occasional Ribery for those following along.

67:33 – Players taking advantage of the break in play to suck down some water. Still very hot in Stuttgart. Free kick to the Swiss on the right side. Zidane clears and Magnin gets a touch of the magic spray. Replay shows his ankle twsisted like a pretzel. I’m impressed with the qualities of the magic spray.

66:00 – Still no replay of the Swis chance. Must be a French TV director. There we go, now I see it. Fantastic save with his feet by Barthez. Croupet will have to grudgingly give him that one.

64:30 – Great chance for Switzerland. Gygax’s header at the far post well saved by the Bald One. France is beatable with this defence. Of course, any team is beatable the longer it stays 0-0.

63:00 – Yellow card for Abidal for kicking the ball into the crowd after it had already gone out. The free kick sees Barthez awkwardly punch it away. He mutst have had problems seeing that.

61:44 – Nice chance for the Swiss capably defended by the French. No Maginot Line here today. I think I have to mention that at least once today, it’s compulsory. Props to those in the comments who beat me too it.

60:06 – More fouls starting to come thick and fast. Let’s hope the ref can keep this under control.

59:23 – Ribery has a shot blocked on the penalty area and I get to say his name again. Swiss fans and I are happy for different reasons.

57:25 – Not much imagination from the Swiss in attack. They’re standing in a line in midfield and you could throw a blanket over them, to borrow a cliche.

55:35 – Philipp Degen booked for the Swiss after tugging on Zidane’s shirt. Let’s hope Zidane’s little face holding routine did not influence the referee there.

54:08 – No Beckanbauer sightings in this game as yet. Is that a snub for the French team? He was with Platini at the previous match. Speaking of the French master, where is he today? Should he not be watching this game?

53:00 – Shot of Gygax on the sideline as a potential substitute for the Swiss. His name sounds like a drug. Maybe it can help Zidane and Barthez with some hair restoration.

51:10 – Ribery. I just like saying his name.

49:50 – Nice attack by Switzerland that does not result in a shot after Degen is blocked out of it on the 18 yard box. French counter sees Henry drifting left, but is eventually called offside after a one-two with Ribery.

48:10 – Vieira shoots from the edge of the area and Henry nearly blocks it while trying to get out of the way. Getting hit might actually have directed it goalwards. Story of the day for French shooting.

46:45 – Hard man Vieira bumps ‘keeper Zuberbuehler. The Swiss are a physical though and no handbags were thrown.

45:10 – Second half underway. Sun will be right in Barthez’s face for much of it. A good idea for the Swiss to shoot early and from distance.

Anyone have opinions about the handball in the box? I’m sure our Referee blogger will have somethign to say about it and I’ve been impressed with his breakdowns of the various games’ controversial decisions. This could be another. My take is that the ref made the right choice.

Half-time: Pretty even half, France looking the better team, but flashes of danger from the Swiss. I picked the Swiss as draw specialists before the tournament and they’re proving me right. I say that now because every other prediction I’ve made has not come true and I want to see a result in this game, not a draw. If I say it, it can’t be true, so come on boys, give us a goal.

44:10 – Swiss player Barnetta booked for a foul I missed. I gotta learn how to type without looking at my fingers.

43:23 – Most of France’s breaks have come from back Swiss defending – committing in isolated areas and missing the tackle which allows the French to pick their pass in the penalty area. Too bad their pass selection has so far been poor.

40:49 – Swiss defender Magnin booked at the next break in play. Could not have been for the hack on Henry as there was no free kick at the time. Strange decision from the referee. Henry back on the pitch and he appears fine.

40:15 – Henry is down after stretching to keep a ball in play. He’s off the pitch so Switzerland is under no obligation to kick the ball out of play. Whistles from the crowd but what can the Swiss do?

38:45 – Henry again released by Zidane but his shot is straight at the Swiss ‘keeper, Zuberbuehler. Henry will have to find his range soon if he keeps getting all these chances. Switzerland will have to find a way to deal with him or cut off his supply line.

37:00 – Ribery breaks into the Swiss box but for some reason gives up the resposibility of shooting in favour of a pass that goes behind Henry who shoots with less power and the ball strikes the hand of the Swiss defender. Could have a case for handball but I agree with the referee. The player did not move towards the ball with his hand and his head was turned in the other direction to protect himself.

35:40 – Very late flag for offside against Henry on a Zidane pass. Replay shows it was the right decision. Starting to hear the French fans wind up now.

32:40 – Nice close up camera work of the dribbling skills of Philipp Degen of Switzerland. We haven’t seen too much of that this World Cup, but then again, Brazil has not taken the stage yet. Stay tuned for our liveblog during that match later tonight.

30:50 – Shot just over the bar from Ribery. Nice chance. Saying his name makes me laugh: Riberte, Requality, fRanternity. Ahhhh, liveblogging, it makes no sense.

30:10 – Sagnol tripped while defending for France. Contender for Flop of the Day.

29:14 – Zidane tripped and another look at those special boots. Let’s hope they have the magic touch today.

27:56 – Does anyone else want to paint a moustache on Barthez to see how ridiculous it would look? Or is that just me?

26:40 – Sustained pressure from France now on the edge of the Swiss area, little one-twos involving Zidane. But it coms to nothing and Switzerland breaks free.

22:50 – Great free kick which comes back off the post. Frei only needed the slightest touch after the offside trap was Les Miserables. He couldn’t direct the rebound goalwards and the danger passed. Huge chance for Switzerland, big wake-up call for France.

21:50 – Nice period of posession for the Swiss. Results in a foul by Vieira about 40 yards out.

20:00 – Nice ball from Zidane puts Heny into space in the Swiss penalty area, but his touch and the defence pushes him wide and he can only deliver a cross across the goal face without any venom, nor any support.

19:40 – Game reaching somewhat of a stalemate in midfield. The crowd doing their best to liven things up.

16:40 – Switzerland is spelled Schweiz in German which is a lot shorter to type considering using that for the duration. Then again, I have copy & paste. France is Frankreich, which sounds extremely German and not at all French. Plus it’s harder to type. However, I love Germany in French – le Allemange. Sounds so much sexier.

14:00 – Vieira bangs his shot into the pitch and it bounces high over the crossbar. Shot of French coach Domenech on the sideline looking far trendier than Otto Pfister.

13:05 – Instead an angled cross to the far post, headed clear by Switzerland. Corner France and the screws are starting to turn.

12:22 – Hard foul on Wiltord. This is Zidane range.

10:20 – Zidane brought down. Did he borrow some boots from a Swedish player? What colour are those. On the plus side they’re easily noticeable in the shadow.

09:34 – Switzerland building nicely before giving away possession cheaply in midfield. Their game looks based on a short, quick passing game which is nioce to see after a fair amount on long ball stuff so far this World Cup.

07:01 – Zidane looks to be cruising. Much like Nedved yesterday for Czch Republic, using his experience to be involved in the game without running himself into the ground on this hot, hot day.

05:22 – Header from Henry after nice buildup play from Zidane released Wiltord, who got a nice cross that Henry just could not keep down. Good chance for France.

03:41 – Great fan support for Switzerland in the crowd today. A sea of red at the end they are defending. Fantastic last ditch tackle by France to deny a run into the box from Switzerland. It was in the shadow so I can’t tell who it was.

02:15 – Jinking run by Zidane showing shades of his younger self. I kinda want to see him do well consdering its the last time we’ll see him on the World stage.

00:30 – Switzerland kick off and once again we battle with a creeping shadow on the pitch that makes things diffucult from a viewing perspective. Let’s hope that’s not the story of the tournament.

00:01 – We’re off! Microscope is on the French team after their woeful performance in the ‘02 World Cup. The pressure and spotlight of defending champions is of them and they’ve had a solid build up despite some selection controversy and the sad loss of Cisse with a broken leg.

Switzerland has been flying under the radar for most people, but are quietly confident of doing quite well in this group thank you very much. We’ll see today. Good luck to both teams!

Pregame

Alrighty, in the saddle and ready for this one to kick-off. Thank you to all the commenters who think I can handle 14+ beers during the game. Hopefully we’ll see a bit more excitement than that and my fingers burn rather than my vision blur.
Who’s going to win this one? Who will be the star of the match? How many beers will Chris drink while he blogs?

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http://www.worldcupblog.org/game-previews/preview-france-vs-switzerland.html Preview: France vs. Switzerland – FIFA World Cup 2006 – World Cup 2006 Blog

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

Your sister is going to win this one!
Brandon

France 2:1 in a tough game.
Michael

This might very well be the best round 1 matchup of first games to be played. I may have said the same about USA-Czech but, 20/20 hindsight tells me otherwise.
NoName

Go Canada!
Vin

You have to love the random comments that have nothing to do with the blog.
lyn

14 beers..
mrbgoch

The youngsters will make it against the old “Les Bleus”
Go Switzerland, go!!!!!
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

France…but only 1-0
http://www.infynit.com Comm-Commander Radius

How can one find a job drinking german brew, and liveblogging world cup game live? sign me up, France 2-1, ESPANA finally plays tomorrow!
Viatche

Winner = France 2-1
Beers drank = 12 if your any good, if the game is good, or if the game sucks
http://www.pierretristam.com Pierre Tristam/Total Football

The French are going into this like they’ve just got back from Dunkirk in 1940: Here’s how Le Monde puts it this afternoon, on the front page: “After the mind-boggling defeats of 2002 and 2004 [in the 2002 World Cup the defending champion French were guillotined out of the First Round after scoring not a single goal, and had as blithering a showing at Euro 2004 in Portugal] the Blues begin the 2006 World Cup today in Stuttgart against a redoubtable Swiss team that has shed all its scruples [or complexes, as the French word has it]. Only a victory will enable forgetting the traumas of the previous World Cup, with that first-match loss to Senegal, 0-1, which derailed in one shot an overconfident team. Most of all, anything but a victory will compromise the harmony and cohesion of the squad.”

Chers amis, get ready for a fun match that should make for a flashy clash between the stylish French (when they choose to be so) and the uninspiring Swiss, who play like a three-point cross between Italian, German and Irish football. It’s fun to beat up on the French. They make it so easy. Even for me, who owes all to Jesuits and Voltaire, but against the Swiss I’d like to see them go on a rampage that would scare even Attila’s braids.
Andy

France: feed some cheese to those Swiss!
DIGGLARININSKY

I am enjoying Zidanne..aka Digglar…He is going to score a couple of goals today
Sam

Swiss, feed some chocolate to those snobby French!
Sam

…but actually, I like Zidanne a lot. Best Berber player in the world.
arnie

Can someone tell me why it seems that alot of times when a player scores he often pulls his shirt up to expose his belly or pulls his collar up over his chin and clenches it in his teeth as he celebrates?
Swiss Cheese

Scheiss Frankreich…HOPP SCHWIIZ!!! HOPP SCHWIIZ!!! HOPP SCHWIIZ!!!
Perry

France 4 – 1 Switzerland
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

All right…I got TVU player up and running…ready for the match!!! (only now I have to deal with teh annoying ESPN2 announcers)
Hex

My prediction
France 1 Swiss 1
Hex

Mike you wanted audio. LOL!!! :)
Tom

France 2 – 0 Swiss
ELECTRA

I have little hope for France. They can consider it a victory if they can even score 1 goal….

..they are living on their past laurels.
Vin

Be careful France… The Swiss played the Azzurri very physically… and it was a friendly. Get ready for them to shove and hack. :(
Roland

I like the French in this one 2 – 1.
Andy

I really look forward to seeing Zidane kiss that bald Barthez!
Hex

Hey Swiss Cheese, I would have to agree with you regarding France as a military power, they suck, but lets see how Die Schweitz plays lucky… France is either hot or cold so it’s pretty even IMHO.
http://www.pertinentverge.blogspot.com darkoze

I’d say France will win 2 games in their group, this one being one of them.
A treacherously dangerous 2-1, 1-0 for the Swiss @ half-time.
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

yeah i know…cant have my cake and eat it too! :-)
Hex

Nervous start!!!
Mamimi

Mike, watch the game through univision. It’s a LOT more entertaining and I’m guessing that if you are from argentina you can understand what the crazy announcers are saying.
Heike

Probst Chris! Keep your sights clear – we are depending on you here at work – I say the Swiss gewinnen and my collegue here says France. GAME ON!!
Ali Siddiqui

Ok fellas I’m out to get a haircut. I hope to be back before the 2nd half starts! I hope to see you all here again!

Prediction 2-1 France! Viva la France! Viva Zidane!
Perry

I had 14 beers in Pearson watching the Italy match yesterday. Brilliant game. Totti vut his hair and looks like he only wants to play ball – mean look in his eye. Just give Italy the cup now – it’s obvious.
http://blue2rose.blogspot.com Blah-Me

France 2 – 1 ? Most likely!

Salam.
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

I’m really neutral about this game, so I’m going with the Swiss.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

France almost scored there
zé

Zidane seems slow, but I hope he does score.
Keyser

Swiss 2:1
c’mon guys, I’ve bet a cheese fondue and I want to win it!
http://www.pierretristam.com Total Football

Not a fantastic start: More Descartian than Voltairean: a bit more doubt than lucidity in the French game, but the usual holes in the Swiss game.
Aimee

my money is on the swiss. . this whole cup so far has been teams under th radar making a play and putting up a fight, and i think this game it will have a result.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

the shadow is making a nice arc on the turf …french goal is totally in the dark…hope the swiss can see :)
Sam

My (bold) prediction: 2-2. France has some good goal scorers, but the Swiss are passionate and have been getting pretty rough
Laurent

ALLEZ LES BLEUS FR-3 SWZ-0
Andrew

GO ITALY GO!!!!! SCREW THE USA
Keyser

I cannot see a damn french in the shadow
Laurent

THEY ARE ALL FRENCH KAIZER
Roland

The Swiss need to pressure more at midfield if they hope to hold off the French for 90 minutes.
Chris

Priorities of all Swiss fans:
1) Win this one
2) qualify for the second round
Tom

Aimee, that’s true but the superior team has pretty much won all of the games they were “supposed” to win. France is the “superior” team here and a loss by France would be an upset.
http://none Lympadora

I am neutral on this one as well. Who ever wins, I hope korea can handle either of them next week. It is going to be a hard match.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

Zizou to take a free kick
Roland

I disagree Tom, unless “pretty” is the operative word. Australia was definitely an underdog against Japan.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

French Fan !

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41761000/jpg/_41761598_francefan416.jpg
Tom

Yeah, Australia was the only game I really considered to be a minor upset. Although I had Australia winning that one in a close one.

A friend of mine that is Japanese says that Japan’s psyche is easy to rattle, thus the late goals.
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

The complaining is getting to ridiculous levels, as it does with any world sporting event. If there’s no canopy, people complain about the heat, or the rain. If there is a canopy, it’s about the shadows. If they close the roof, it’s the heat. If it’s air-conditioned, it’s too cold.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

2-0 he says !
Roland

French playing mostly defensively. The heat is going to be a problem for their older players.
salman

France will win
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

shadow not good for television dw
Salman(Resitek)

France have chance to win simply
http://none Lympadora

I have a feeling that swiss will win.
Roland

France is having trouble controlling the tempo. The Swiss defence is looking pretty decent so far.
Salman(Resitek)

French playing mostly defensively but they should be offensive when they wants. The heat is going to be a problem for their older players, where as oponents are very young
http://www.pierretristam.com Total Football

No, a chess match would be more absorbing than this. This is more like football played as cricket. France is playing in perfect 2002 style. Switzerland at least has an excuse: it never pretended to have any style. C’est pas amusant, chers amis.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

raid after raid by France…but no goal
Roland

Ultimately I think France’s experience will prove the decisive difference; but the Swiss appear to be very good technically, and they look a little more animated.
Tom

Alemania in Spanish. German is an ugly language, in my opinion. Listen to some of Schubert’s Lieder to see how German poetry sounds…very harsh with all of those multi-syllabic words.

Boy why can’t I install Flash 8 on my PC here at work. :( I want to watch the game. Oh, well…time to live vicariously through you guys.
http://blue2rose.blogspot.com Blah-Me

Lol.. le allemange..

nice!!

Salam.
Hex

Did you see the Swiss player take that leg kick. No acting there. :)
http://www.pertinentverge.blogspot.com darkoze

Late kudos to Mr. DW for his “I’m really neutral about this game, so I’m going with the Swiss” remark.

Subtlety is rarely awarded or even spotted.
Roland

France escapes!!!!!
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

A big Swiss miss that !
Hex

The Swiss are playing some serious fussball, and the Frenchies are hackin because of it.
Roland

The 12th man shows up for France. Luck is so important.
zé

Wasn’t offside.
http://www.pertinentverge.blogspot.com darkoze

Are the Swiss poking around, searching for the Maginot line in the French defense?
zé

DW – what darkoze said.
Roland

France is playing a little soft, no doubt to conserve energy, and this has allowed the Swiss to develop some chances. This is rattling the French a little bit. They’re not comfortable, but not in a crisis yet.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

the main aim of Swiss seems to go for Zidane
Hex

HAH that was a great move on the goal line…
http://blue2rose.blogspot.com Blah-Me

SHIT! That was really close for Swiss!!

Salam.
Roland

Best chance for France so far, shot goes high…
zé

How do you say “between the legs” in french?
Roland

Game picking up now.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

Thierry Henry looks like scoring today ..soon
Hex

HAH :) Chris, nice comment.
Roland

French try to advance up the Swiss left wing, but are rebuffed.
Ahnie

……Mr. Blogger seems to getting bored….and it’s hilarious.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

there is no fluidity in the French moves..gets broken up rather easily
Hex

What the heck was that waste of a drive for the French…
http://www.voodoo4football.com VooDoo

Hi all!

Check this out! The football fans affect on the results of their football teams http://www.voodoo4football.com
It turns out, that one who has more fans – he will win? Or those one – who has a lot of money? Let’s get join them!
utd

“entre les jambes?” (between the legs)?? haha i dno
http://www.pierretristam.com Total Football

This game brought to you by the French law firm Morasses, Molasses and Degueulasses…
Andy

The French are showing their ages. No goals!
http://www.pertinentverge.blogspot.com darkoze

Chris, @ 30:50 of the game is officially snockered. Watch for other NEW words he’ll be inventing.

So, Chris, Combien biere pour cete situation?
Honey

my predictions: 1-1
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

bugles being played now…by whom?
Roland

Should have been hands and a penalty for France!
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

France made a mess of this opportunity
http://www.pertinentverge.blogspot.com darkoze

utd?
“jambes”? Close enough to “jambone”. Ham, right.

But that “between the legs”…Oh, I wouldn’t go there
Roland

Man this seems like a long first half.
Valie

I predict 1-1
Hex

I must admit there are more plays at the Swiss goal than the French goal.
Roland

France looked good on the attack there. They need more of that.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

Henry misses again
Roland

Henry might be hurt, bad news for France.
Hex

I agree with Roland. The butterflies are still controlling the game…
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

Henry and Zidane vs Switzerland !
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

“shadow not good for television dw”

But we have the same creeping shadow issues in US stadia all the time, and you rarely hear anything complaining about TV coverage. Heck, it’s a bit of an advantage in baseball.

“Late kudos to Mr. DW for his “I’m really neutral about this game, so I’m going with the Swiss” remark.”

Well, you live in England for a while, you learn how to mix British and American comedy.
Hex

Henry is faking it… Loooser!!!
Roland

Should have known. Henry back in now.
Keyser

Ze,
entre les jambes
Paula

entre les pieds de Zidane …Zidane will do it today !
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

replay clearly shows handball
Hex

That was a lame pass.
Keyser

france is approaching, but their powder is wet
zé

Thanks Keyser! :)
Hex

Yellow cheese!!! ;)
zé

Well, that sure was a boring 1st half.

C’mon Henry, what are you doing?
Keyser

handball but no intention. I wouldn’t have call it.
Roland

If they don’t work in Zidane somehow, France is going to lose this game. I don’t know if it’s the heat, but this has been one of the slowest halfs so far. Only England – Paraguay was worse.
Hex

Zidane looks frustrated. >:|
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

0-0 does not tell the story of the first half…should have been 3-1 for France
anthony

is anybody else besides me a bit sick of seeing that jose+10 adidas ad on tv?
utd

jambe = leg
pied = foot?
haha
uhm. does neone know if the ref’s american or not? i thot they said american but my friend’s saying hes german
Tom

Those sound right, UTD, as in Spanish it’s pie for foot. *shrug*
Denis

The ref is Russian. Ivanov.
utd

(im answering my own question: he’s Russian)
yeah i used to take french :s
http://blue2rose.blogspot.com Blah-Me

Boohaa.. France isnt all that after all.

*yawns*

I hope the second half makes the game worth watching.

The stupid stream is annoying me. Gets stuck at the best moments of the game. I’ll probably scream if I miss a goal because of it!! *tugs at hair*

Salam.
Futahaguro

They certainly didn’t capitalize on their chances.

Agreed, boring 1st half.
Football Freak

Hey Chris,

Don’ worry about your typing..You are doing a good job.

Cheers
utd

ah thanx denis
http://www.pertinentverge.blogspot.com darkoze

So, the pep talk from the Swiss coach at halftime? It’s in…
French?
Italian?
German?

Does he want direct or indirect communication?
Frank

haha
miss the first-half
Swissboy

WE will win!!!
http://blue2rose.blogspot.com Blah-Me

Chris.. dont worry. All that typing will auto teach you to type blind-folded!! Thats basically how I learnt (not blogging, I “was” chat freak – thats why)

Salam.
Swissboy

GOAL coming up!

GO SWITZERLAND…….
Sam

Chris: In the rules, it says if the player *intentionally* handles the ball its a foul. No intention = no foul, box or not
Tom

I hope that the Swiss can pop a goal in soon. I’m glad when my predictions are wrong and the underdog wins it!
Garvin

Long live the French. I am expecting two goals in the 2nd half. Switzerland has been very lucky so far.
http://hectalion.blogspot.com/ World cup fan

I think France will win, Zidane is a really good player and he deserves to say good bye winning, and by the way, France is far superior than Switzerland. Good luck France!
http://www.pierretristam.com Total Football

Good stat from ESPN: For France, 315 minutes and counting, going back to 1998, since its last goal (against Brazil; see article above). The second half starts with as much energy as the first. The crowd is riled up. But who isn’t? I mean, this is France’s one chance to show that it’s more than talk.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

I think the French team doesn’t know where the goal posts are !
Keyser

france is has more the ball but the swiss defense looks solid. i wonder if this is real or just my whistful thinking.
go schweis!
Garvin

Keyser, you are too funny, dude!
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

TVU Player is crashing on me every 5-10 minutes. Anyone else having tht problem?
Hex

Kesyer you have it nailed.
http://equateur Xavier

Go France!!!
Hex

Are you using XP Mike?
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

xp sp2
Hex

Hmmm. I am not having any problems. Are you losing the stream or actual program crash?
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

late late yellow card ..almost as an afterthought …for foul on Zidane
Tom

I can’t even download the TVU player as their server is running abysmally slowly…
http://www.pierretristam.com Total Football

Even the crowd has lost some of its edge.Togo and Korea can whip both these teams. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, THERE HAS NOT BEEN A SHOT ON GOAL THIS ENTIRE HALF. THE BALL HAS BEEN HELD AS IF IN A SPIDER’S WEB OF MIDFIELD SHENANIGANS. Have we not the right to use full caps against these alleged kings of the cap?
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

actual program crash where windows shuts it down. its not too bad…i just restart it…and when its on the quality is surprisingly good!
Hex

Yep, late. After the ball is gone and only after Zidane tries to win an Oscar.
Keyser

there it goes mu prediction. there is no way the swiss can score twice today. but i still hope they score once so they wim.
uuffff great tackle by senderos!go svizzera!!
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

5 features of this world cup
1) No rains
2) No penalties
3) Shadows…almost always
4) No ‘major’ upset
5) The Togo Team Dance
Hex

Mohan you are the WC archivist. :)
Hex

I just can’t get any work done today. :)
Hex

I heard the WC games are closing down markets and businesses early in Brazil and other countries. :)
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

yeah hex…its a pretty unproductive day for me too!
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

is she a waitress or a fan?..top right corner of this page
brian34

I think it’s almost time for Domenech to swallow his pride and bring in Trezeguet. So far the Ribery experiment has been a failure.
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

chris, whats the beer count at?
Hex

LOL! A yellow for kicking the ball in the bleachers.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

Barthez is blinded by the Sun..we are blinded by his bald pate :)
Andy

Woa! a game of bookings
Roland

Gygax so close to scoring for the Swiss.
Keyser

oh noooooooooooooooo
they need to put pressure on barthez. he’s horrible.
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

how did the swiss not score on that one??
Tom

Mike, I’m excisted about the Argentina game. I really want to see how they fare.
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

swiss are gonna score soon…i feel it
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

why is that photo on this page?? i am not able to focus on the game :D
Garvin

In your dreams, Mike….Go France go…
Hex

LOL Chris is sounding more like Bob now. :)
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

yeah tom…if we can win on friday it will be great!
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

Zidane is telling the team how not to score a goal
Keyser

yeah. nice old fashioned natural boobs
matthew

I hope whoever scores first adopts the Togo Homey Dance!
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

looking at that replay…barthez didnt even see the header…he got lucky there
Keyser

it’s raining yellow cards now.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

yellow for Zidane
Hex

Yeller for Cabanas…
Roland

That would have been offsides anyway.
Andy

Borrrrred! Hope my switch watch was running faster toward full time.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

Zidane was booked for taking the freekick before ref’s whistle…ref is sure throwing his weight around
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

wow…that was close
Frank

a little boring
http://blue2rose.blogspot.com Blah-Me

aww.. Ribery.. you shall be missed!!

I like Saha though. Especially the way this commentator says it. “Saaaha!” (a very thick “ha” like the arabic 5)

Salam.
Lympadora

Man, I am so tired right now and I am not seeing any change in the score. I think this game is going to end 0-0.
Hex

The ref must be as bored as we are….
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

zidane is getting a bit desperate it seems
Tom

I’m shocked that France hasn’t been able to score yet. Have they had a lot of opportunities?
Hex

The game will either be even or one lucky score. THAT’ssssss IIIIIT!!!
Keyser

the saddest part is that if the swiss would have had more guts and courage they would’ve won the match.and I would’ve won a chees fondue
brian34

Saha? Gees. Domenech must hate Trezeguet.
Lympadora

I think I am going to take a nap and come back for the Brazil’s game. That match will be awesome.
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

Go Croatia!
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

this match is in a way…a comedy of errors
Garvin

Go Brazil go…
Denis

Is anyone watching the game online through a live stream? If yes, through what website?
http://blue2rose.blogspot.com Blah-Me

Yea Hex.. the ref looks bored. I guess his way of spicing things up is – “pull out the yellow card!”

Either that, or the Swiss tipped him for an extra bunch of yellow cards.

Salam.
http://www.pierretristam.com Total Football

Paris is rebuilding the Bastille just to put these eleven into it. The guillotine is too good for them (and the US supremes have their doubts about lethal injection, judging from their arguments yesterday–should the French team choose as an alternative exile to the United States, where football underachievers are considered heroes).
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

Denis, I’m using the TVU Player
Denis

Where can I get the TVU player, Mike?
http://blue2rose.blogspot.com Blah-Me

Denis.. here.. (I hope you have better luck with it than I do)

http://www.livefooty.doctor-serv.com/tue13.6/France_Switzerland7.html
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

ref is handing out yellows because its his only chance at keeping the game from getting out of hand
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

Another French foray baulked by Swiss
Keyser

the french are horrible and the swiss are cowards. they’ll be both dead before quarterfinals.
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

http://www.tvunetworks.com
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

we should give credit to the Swiss defence..it has been outstanding in this half
harshad

hello, thanks for this blog of the match.. i like France and Brazil , i am from india ..
Denis

Great, thanks!
Hex

If I were French I would change my name and choose another country. :)
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

i hope the Beer Babe goes off during the Brazil game :)
DrChessMan

A few French players are throwing this game… especially Henry. It is so obvious. Some of the ways they are losing the ball in the attack half is quite incredible. With such a line up, how can this team not even have a shot on goal in the second half so far (80th minute). Shame on France!!
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

this has been a game of missed chances
Keyser

yes, good defense but is difficult to win if you don’t attack
http://www.pierretristam.com Total Football

This email just in from Verlaine: “Il pleure dans mon coeur comme il pleut sur mes Bleus.”
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

make that wasted chances…do these guys want to score?
harshad

swiss carry on , be as a strong wall of defence! Francis are just cant break u
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

I’m wondering if my TiVo has been lulled to sleep by this game yet. Guess I’ll find out when I get home.
Andy

Ivanov will be remembered by the Swiss for his painting em yellow!
Hex

Verlaine should join the Foreign Legion after this game. :)
Keyser

suizos maricones
harshad

just finishing moments now…. what will happen guys?
alex

The hand in the first half should have been a penalty – the ball was going to goal. To have a referee determine intention is ludicrous. Intention should not be a factor. If your hands are away from your body and you hit the ball – it is a penalty. Period.
http://blue2rose.blogspot.com Blah-Me

Swiss did play better than I expected them to. And France – no comments. Or was it just that I was expecting too much of them?

Mike.. “out of hand”? Thats an exaggeration. Zindane’s yellow card was so not needed!!

Salam.
Garvin

It’s a mickey mouse game…will end 0-0
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

swiss keeper has to come down with that ball
Roland

France with the best chances lately, but nothing coming from their effort.
Hex

If your TiVo could talk, it would say “LOOOSER”!
:)
http://www.pierretristam.com Total Football

It’ll be left up to Brazil and Croatia to salvage this day of disappointment from one of Europe’s supposed superpowers of football. What I smelled earlier was not the smell of goal, but of goat cheese rotting in my neighbors’ kitchen. What a lost chance by that Indian-French player, shooting his heart out… for nothing.
Keyser

the best of the match: the beer girl.
hope you folks agree with me.
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

Blah, ok, yeah…not quite out of hand, but frustration was taking over and i think he just wanted to keep things calm…but i agree…zidane didnt deserve that one
Tom

I finally got TVU. :)
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

how many yellows now? a new record??
Hex

I was being too optimistic with my 1-1 prediction. :)
DrChessMan

France has put money on themselves to not win !!!!!
Hex

this is it….
Roland

Oh my, the Swiss had their best chance of the game on that corner.
Keyser

there’s only one hand of god
Keat

haiiizzzzzzz……..

wtf france doin ?!??!
DrChessMan2

France has put money on themselves to not win !!!!!
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

eight yellows
Hex

Hand goal. LOL!!!
Michael

Dreadful
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

upset result for France
Roland

Tie. Snore. See you next game.
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

arghhh…either team could have won that game if they had wanted to
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

let’s hear it for Croatia!
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

‘If your TiVo could talk, it would say “LOOOSER”!’

Why? Because I went to work instead of watching this snoozer?

I took yesterday off to watch the US get beaten senseless by the Czechs. I’m not doing that again. Even if there is a Brazilian restaurant half a mile from work that’s promising live samba and HDTV during the noon game.
http://blue2rose.blogspot.com Blah-Me

This game was all about hands and legs flailing about in the field.

*cries* I wanted Swiss to make a goal!! *cries somemore*

Salam.
Keat

France….
hope u go back soon ……..
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

i just want to know chris’s final beer count
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

FYI: Live [british] english audio here: http://clients.mediaondemand.net/theSun/?Channel=1
http://blue2rose.blogspot.com Blah-Me

Livin’ La Vida Loca…!!

Go home and cry your brains out France! You’re a disappoinment to the World Cup!!

Salam.
Frank

Switzerland is so unluck.
pdt

France are useless. They will not qualify for the next round or even score in this world cup, just like their last one. Togo and Korea will both crush the French.
Ken

Where is Trezegetin this match pfff ??? He has score goals and is a great player. They put instead a first time player in the world cup who has no experience in world cup !!!! The coach said he does not like Trezeget because he is too individual, this is the dumpest things I heard !!!!
http://blue2rose.blogspot.com Blah-Me

:o Mike.. why did you keep that to yourself?? I have been looking for an English channel ever since!!@#*&!!

Anyways.. I’m gonna go mourn the fact that I wont get to watch Brazil.. nor follow up their match.. and then have a look at my books. I have a stupid exam tomorrow, for which I need to study. Life can be so cruel!!

Salam.
chris

HE MISSED!!! not only that, but Frei used his freaking hand! wow
Switz could have won but nope, got to be stupid…. AHHH

and france isn’t much better, missing the goal by so little….

i wouldn’t have cared if someone won, but both teams played poorly
Foobar

Put them in the overrated category with Sweden. A mere sense of entitlement won’t win you a game. Heart will!
michel platini

if frei hadn’t raised his hand… johan djourou would hae headed that it… that game was garbage
Matthew Wegner

France need to drop Paddy Vieria, put Saha and Trezguet together and perhaps yes even drop henry (I say that as a gooner).

4 or 5 changes are needed after that passionless abject display by France.
http://www.xanga.com/oneeyeddeer Mike

Sorry, Blah. Just recently found it. :-/ and it’s the WC, man…much more important than school!!! :-)
Lemon

France played so bad that I can hardly find a reason to support them now. What a disappointing match!
https://cwanderer.wordpress.com/ Cerebral Wanderer

The match was dull. French were disappointing. They lacked power and speed.
shuai

not THAT bad…

between the legs = petit pont (little bridge)
chris

Mike, sorry I couldn’t keep the beer count up. It’s so hot here in Berlin, water is the order of the day when you’re sitting in the liveblog hotseat.

I think I managed two glasses of beer, but more will be had tonight. Brasilien samba party in Berlin after the match. Be even better if they win.
harry

Les Bleus blew it. How many games now without a goal? They looked so bad and slow and unimaginative that even the US team could beat them. Well, ok, not that bad.
http://www.worldcupblog.org/daily-wrap-up/june-13-the-daily-world-cup-wrap.html June 13: The Daily World Cup Wrap – FIFA World Cup 2006 – World Cup 2006 Blog

[...] France vs Switzerland | LiveBlog [...]
shamwrok

“anthony | June 13th, 2006 at 6:46 pm

is anybody else besides me a bit sick of seeing that jose+10 adidas ad on tv?
Posted from United States”

Yes. That commercial is played so often, and I am so tired of watching it, that I change the channel on breaks and in-between matches so I don’t have to see it anymore. The first time I saw it I actually kind of enjoyed it… but it replays so often that I can’t take it anymore.
ZAID

FRANCE SHOULD HAVE TO KEEP ZEDANE UPTO NEXT WORLD CUP OTHERWISE THEY CANT WIN ANY MATCH WITHOUT HIM……………….
http://ringtone3.teach-nology.com/0/ craps .

Champions Juventus, AC Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina
could be relegated from Serie A and forced out of European
competition if found guilty.