Anyone else watching this? France finally seems to be getting their act together and look to be on the verge of scoring. But it's a great match-up! Go Senegal! -- I really want France to lose so that Denmark can win the group.

[quote]Originally posted by DCBucky:
Anyone else watching this? France finally seems to be getting their act together and look to be on the verge of scoring. But it's a great match-up! Go Senegal! -- I really want France to lose so that Denmark can win the group.

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Mission accomplished. I still think they will survive, and maybe yet win, the group, but my first view of the Senegal squad has floored me. They played like the pros they are..and fully a quarter of the squad rang my bell.

Even if France wins their next two, couldn't they still lose the group on points?

I think so. Senegal's win was spectacular--wow! But I still think France can advance, especially if Zidane comes back sooner rather than later.

[quote]Originally posted by curtj:
Even if France wins their next two, couldn't they still lose the group on points?

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Looks like another team could still be ahead of them with at least two wins and a tie. Even then they could progress as runner up. According to this site the scoring is as follows:

[quote]Each group of four teams faces off in a round-robin tournament. Three points goes to the victor of each match. In case of a draw, each team is rewarded with a single point. The teams in the top two positions advance to the second round.

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[ May 31, 2002: Message edited by: sportinlife ]

Well, France can advance and even win the group still. If Les Blues defeat Denmark and Uruguay by large margins, and Denmark beats Senegal and Uruguay and even if Uruguay beats Senegal, then France will be 2-1 and Denmark will be 2-1 and Uruguay and Senegal will be 1-2. With a France win over Denmark they will advance as the group leader. If Senegal beats Uruguay and finishes at 2-1 like Denmark and France, top position will be determined by goal differential. A 1-0 loss isn't the best, but if you're going to lose, it means you only gave up one goal and it only gives the Senegalese one goal in that column.

France with its talk of "we have a tradition of winning" and "we're sick of everything being Zidane this and Zizou that. we will show that even without Zidane we are a multi-faceted team and we will win" huh??

well.... without Zizou, you guys lost!! To Senegal!!! Merde! Putain! Quest-ce qu'on pensait lorsqu'on a repundu comme ca?

Come on France! You have to regroup and re-focus. Allez Les Bleus!!

[quote]Originally posted by ung:
[QB]
well.... without Zizou, you guys lost!! To Senegal!!! Merde! Putain! Quest-ce qu'on pensait lorsqu'on a repundu comme ca?
QB]

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Err ung, I hope that's not meant to reflect on the Senegalese

Les Bleus lost to les lions because they were the better team that game, not chumps that France could just breeze by.

As for Zidane's abscence that could have been an arrogant gamble that the French lost - no ex-colony merited risking further injury to a star player right, wrong. On the other hand if he was really unable to play without pain medication I would laud the French for not encouraging him to 'tough it out.'

I picked France to win their group due to lack of familiarity with the Senegalese players and lack of consideration for their motivation plus the fact that most African soccer programs fall prey to the kind of disorganized behavior, on and off the field, that nearly prevented the Cameroons from making it to the cup: A player strike because of nonpayment of salaries, and a delay in their flight because the pilot neglected to get permission to fly over a couple of countries on the way to South Korea/Japan [brain fart it's called I think.]

Regardless I'm looking forward to the Senegal Denmark game. Talk about eye-candy. Can you spell S-M-O-R-G-A-S-B-O-R-D? Two of my favorite flavors all mixed up!! Whoohooo!!

[ June 01, 2002: Message edited by: sportinlife ]

hey Sportinlife! whazzup playa!

anyway, getting your flavours all mixed up..... I believe i some circles that'll be called "doing the swirl"

Go France! Go Denmark! Go Spain!!

Call it what you like ung, I'm having a ball with these soccer matches!

Some of my favorite things so far:

South African coach Jomo (sumo wrestler) Sono giving instructions to the big Greek George Koumatarakis.

Who are you telling to lose a little weight?

Ireland's Matt Holland and Cameroon Marc-Vivien Foe getting to know each other.

Where are you Marc?...Right here down your sleeve..don't you feel me?

The Senagal Lions Chorus line

Auditioning for official World Cup boy band

Brazilian coach Felipe's training techniques.

Hope he isn't a priest.

Fun with the new soccer ball.

I know it's erratic but...