THOMAS KIENZLE / AP

BIG SUPPORT >>>> Fans from Switzerland — uniformly clad in the national colors of red and white — at the Gottlieb-Daimler stadion, Stuttgart

Web Exclusive | The World Cup | France v Switzerland subscribe to TIME Printable Version email this story

Posted Wednesday, June 14, 2006; 11.42BST
France notes: First off, no wise-guy jinx invoking here, but this is the fouth straight World Cup group match that France has played without scoring (including the three goal-less matches it played before leaving the Asian Cup in tatters). With a side boasting so many of Europe's pro leagues' most prolific scorers, one has to start wondering whether this French unit isn't one any more. It's too early to judge in this World Cup, but it's a fair bet that after a possible loss (followed by a draw), not managing to score had to be up on his list of "things that would really suck" for France's first match. If so, he got two of three. Not an auspicious start.

Is this the passing of the flame? Though most France fans expect Thierry Henry to step up as Big Man and team leader once Zinedine Zidane retires — due after les Bleus last match in Germany — Zizou himself seems to be looking to Marseille striker Franck Riberty as the next coming of himself. During most of the match against Switzerland, Zidane appeared to be anticipating passes or plays with Ribery even before he spotted the youngster down field. Indeed, the radar linking the two punchy, explosive players seemed so strong that Zidane's trio of passes to Henry in scoring situations almost seemed like forced politeness by comparison — the husbandly attention to the wife when he's really thinking of his younger sweetie.

Christophe ena / ap FACE IT >>>> Franck Ribery of France reacts after missing a shot

Despite their on-field cohabitation going back to the World Cup of 1998 — and all Henry's scoring in blue since — Zidane has never delivered Henry a ball he's scored with. Indeed, that single fact — plus lots of other fairly obvious evidence — has many French observers "guessing" the obvious that Henry doesn't respect Zizou with the same abandon the nation does; that ZZ doesn't think "Titi" is the guy who single-handedly made his pro club "un-boring, un-boring, un-boring Arsenal". With Ribery looking a lot like the other half of Zidane's aging heart, Henry's wait for that decisive ball may be eternal.

Ribery himself was, by far, the best reason for French fans to hope things may get better in this World Cup for them — and that the wider future may yet be bright. Although Ribery isn't (Ribery makes no bones about not having the world's highest IQ — or that has any impact on his superior skills as a footballer), his learned-in-the-streets soccer and never-say-die resilience is exactly the kind of energy and talent future French coaches may decide to built the next generation of Bleus around. And despite his meteoric rise (the working class-born Ribery was playing amateur ball less than four years ago), Ribery isn't the kind of player likely to let increased success and responsibility distract him from his game. The survivor of a terrible auto accident (which explains the considerable scarring on his face) and a convert to Islam, Ribery's clear discomfort before the cameras, and self-deprecating acknowledgement of not being the sharpest tool in the shed reflect a capacity for modesty rare in Tuesday's money- and fame-flushed world of football.

That's good news for France, whose technical flair and stable of stars needs some new blood, and different kinds of guts. Chances are, the brilliant Thierry Henry will remain France's indisputable star: his role and stylishness make him a natural. But bet on Ribery to become the carry-your-lunchbox-to-work driver that every team needs. Especially a team on the verge of losing Zidane.

BACK TO TOP

Printable Version

email this story

	From the TIME archive
	Officially Wrong Referee errors have marred an otherwise high-quality series   Sphere Of Influence What part does the new ball have to play?   Korea: Heavy Going The folks at home stay up late to support their team   The U.S. Bows Out With Honor Ghana delivers the knockout blow to Team USA's World Cup hopes   The Truth About Swiss Neutrality [June 14, 2006] The Crimson Tide hits Stuttgart to prove they are les Bleus worst nightmare   Party People [June 26, 2006] Germany stops worrying and lears to love itself   Jumping The Gun [June 16, 2006] No time for Italy to bring in a football amnesty   France: So Far, So Good [June 24, 2006] Are les Bleus united enough to go any further?   Technophobia [June 26, 2006] Why won't FIFA take the automatic route?   Japan's Soccer Samurais Are Left Feeling Blue [June 12, 2006] Asian champions in the doghouse after loss to Aussies   The World Cup Web Can't get to Germany? Experience the tournament online   Off To A Good Start [June 19, 2006] The first few days of the Cup have had it all   Mirror Images [June 19, 2006] Germany's coach and the U.S.'s compared   The Global Game [June 12, 2006] What football's success tells us about the modern world   Fair Play [June 12, 2006] Even Burma's generals realize the simple joy of kicks   New Pitch [June 12, 2006] Germany aims to demonstrate friendliness, creativity — and humor   Iran And Football [June 12, 2006] Football, politics and social change mixed in an uncertain cocktail   The Cup That Cheers [June 12, 2006] Moments that make the World Cup great   Global Game [May 22, 2006] Nike and Adidas are using the planet's grandest gathering to kick sale Search all issues of TIME Magazine Indicates premium content