Monday, May 19, 2008

Ligue 1 Roundup - offsideintahiti

For the first time in seven years, the title was undecided going into the last day of the season as Lyon (1st, 76 pts) held only a two-point lead over Bordeaux (2nd, 74 pts). [standings and points going into the last game] In fact, the suspense was global, with a "duel à distance" between Nancy (3rd, 60 pts) and Marseille (4th, 59 pts) for third place and the preliminary round of the Champions' League, a three- way race between Lille (5th, 56 pts), St-Étienne (6th, 55 pts), and Rennes (7th, 55 pts) for the other UEFA Cup spot, and another three-way race (of the hair-raising, don't-look-down, vertigo-inducing variety) between Paris Saint-Germain (16th, 40 pts), Toulouse (17th, 39 pts), and Lens (18th, 39 pts) to avoid the last relegation spot.

Ligue 1 has a reputation for being a low-scoring, cagey, boringly tactical league which Lyon invariably win anyway. Well, this time it was going to be massively different, at least with regard to the "low-scoring" tag. Those last ten games produced 43 goals, and with a modicum of research I might even be able to tell you whether it's a record or not, or how it compares with the season's average. Let's just say that it was a hell of a lot better than day 27, in which all of 13 goals were scored and four games ended nil-nil. And the suspense? It was incredible. Let's begin at the top.

Under so much pressure, would Lyon manage to get the draw they needed at Auxerre (15th, 44 pts)? Would they? The country was on the edge of its sofa, and it took Karim Benzema no less than 24 seconds to throw millions of French viewers slumping backwards under the weight of inevitability and earn himself the title of top scorer with his twentieth of the season. Fred, Lyon's Brazilian striker, wrapped it up in the 9th minute, thus making sure that Bordeaux's efforts at Lens would prove entirely futile and that the title would be heading back to the capital of the Rhône region for the seventh consecutive time.

And no one really wants to dwell on that so let's give credit to Bordeaux who, under the tutelage of rookie manager Laurent Blanc, and with a mix of youth (Bellion, Ducasse, Obertan) and experience (Micoud, Jurietti, Ramé), managed to push Lyon almost all the way. In the end, even though Bordeaux finished four points behind, it could be argued that they had a better season than the Champions. Over 36 games against all the other teams, they collected 75 points to Lyon's 73. It was only in the head-to-head that they were undone, beaten home and away by Alain Perrin's men. We will now find out whether Laurent Blanc is as good in the transfer market as he was as a centre-half, but if he can keep hold of his Argentine and Brazilian duo of Cavenaghi and Wendel (27 goals between them) and reinforce an ageing defense, he might put pressure on Lyon again next year. At least, this season's qualification for the Champion's League will give him the funds necessary for such a challenge.

And the suspense? Oh yeah. Elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain and Toulouse both scored early, thus making sure Lens's efforts to avoid the drop against Bordeaux would prove entirely futile. And so the club with the large neo-nazi element in their support stays up, while the club with the friendliest, noisiest fans in the country go down, and no one really wants to dwell on that. What Toulouse don't want to dwell on is the embarrasment of starting the season facing Liverpool in the preliminary round of the Champions' League and finishing it escaping relegation by way of a narrow, nervous 2-1 win over Valenciennes. So let's move on.

And yes, I did promise suspense. But there wasn't much of that on offer in the fight for fifth place. As Lille couldn't do better than a draw at Lorient and St-Étienne went on a 4-0 rampage against a desperately out of sorts Monaco (12th, 47 pts), "Les Verts" clinch it and will taste European football again for the first time in 26 years. The last time they travelled abroad, their number 10 was one Michel Platini and their current coach, Laurent Roussey, spearheaded their attack.

So what are we left with? 3rd place, the Champions' League preliminary round and the right to start next season with a heroic defeat against the likes of Arsenal, Barcelona, Juventus, or Liverpool. Marseille and Nancy really did fall over themselves to earn that privilege. Nancy, whose only claim to fame is a couple of domestic cups and bringing a young Michel Platini through their ranks, had been on the podium since day 5 and were unbeaten at home this season. If they could just get a draw at home to Rennes, their young Uruguayan coach, Pablo Correa, would equal the club's best ever finish. All Marseille could do was beat an already relegated Strasbourg at the Stade Vélodrome and hope for a little help in Lorraine.

Amazingly, it came through the unlikely source of Mickaël Pagis, whose goals had helped Marseille clinch a CL spot last season, only to be told his contract would not be renewed. The brace he scored for Rennes on Saturday proved just as important, as the club from Brittany ended Nancy's unbeaten home record, winning 3-2 and handing it over to Marseille on a plate. All the southerners had to do was help themselves. An opponent with nothing to play for. A sixty-thousand stong home support. No injury or suspension worries. How easy can it get?

Marseille duly took an early lead through their Senegalese striker, Mamadou Niang, and then quietly collapsed. Strasbourg scored twice in 20 minutes, handing back to Nancy. Marseille could be forgiven for their slumber. On day 12, they were in 19th place, and the long climb back up under newly appointed coach and ex Belgium international, Éric Gerets, had taken its toll. It took something out of the ordinary to revive them. A couple of minutes before half-time, Niang and the Strasbourg keeper both went for a high ball. The ensuing clash of heads meant play was held for long minutes and the visiting keeper eventually had to go off. His replacement's first intervention, in the third minute of stoppage time, was to bring Djibril Cissé down and give away a penalty. His second intervention was to save it, only to see the rebound hit the ex-Liverpool star in the head and go in. In the fith minute of stoppage time, Samir Nasri rifled in the sweetest left-foot volley from 12 yards to make it 3-2.

With the Nancy boys floundering, and Marseille cruising through the second half on auto-pilot, it looked all set. Until 20 minutes from time, when Strasbourg, who still had nothing to play for but were determined to enjoy themselves, scored again to level at 3-3. Nancy pushed everyone forward in search of an equaliser, but, with a few minutes left on the clock, it was Djibril Cissé who raced on a through ball and, with his 16th goal of a long, long season, sent the Vélodrome faithful into raptures and Marseille into the Champions' League.

In short: Lyon for the title, Bordeaux and Marseille for the CL, Nancy and St-Étienne for UEFA, Metz, Strasbourg and Lens down to Ligue 2, Le Havre, Nantes, and Grenoble coming up to replace them, PSG and Lyon to meet in the final of the Coupe de France next week, and my job is a lot easier than Premcorr's, who does it every week.

70 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Offy,
it's nice to see someone heroically shouldering the onerous chore of reporting on the minor leagues - lots of people complain about a media fixation with the Big 2 + Fairy Queens + ???, so this should suit them to a t-shirt.
If Laurent Blanc is as good a manager as he was a player, he might just be the man to succeed Lord Wrigley.

pipita said...

Extremely enjoyable read as ususal Offside. Glad you mentioned my beloved Cavenaghi, I'm somewhat relieved he finally proved his worth this season. Call it arrogance if you want, it's just that I assume anyone who makes it at River should make it anywhere...Voilá mon ami, made that sound a-la-Sinatra.
Only one thing I felt you had to explain a bit more. When I was a youngster following French football, in the 70's and 80's, I got used to reading about Nantes, PSG, Saint Etienne, Marseille, and ocasionally teams like Reims, Nancy and Tolouse, so my question is: when and why the hell did Lyon become so superpowerful in French football?? will they make it ten in a row?? It seems very likely

pipita said...

Forgot to mention Monaco, amongst the top teams, and Bordeaux amongst the second rank the

guitougoal said...

bien joué offie, excellent round up.
pipita,
"if you can make it at river
you can't make it everywhere"......
...ooops!you forgot the short trip of El burrito to Dubai via Villareal-in fact he is a special one who belongs to River only.
-Ironically the european football has produced similar dramas this year,between France, Italy and England same scenario:the championship went to the final game of the season.
Inter and Lyon thanks to their superstar Abramovitch and Karim Benzema closed out their season on brillant note.The deja vu with Lyon
is due as much as their economic advantage than the total mediocrity
of the other teams .

byebyebadman said...

I've had a soft spot for Larry White since I first saw him ambling round English grounds for France at Euro 96. I was one United fan delighted to see his last waltz in our colours from 2001-03, the guy was pure class. In his last game for us he won a Championship medal at Goodison Park, coming on as a substitute and keeping quiet some eighteen year old called Wayne Rooney.

So it's great to see his managerial career get off to such a solid start. I hope he gets the chance to invest in the Bordeuax squad to give it a fighting chance in the Champions League.

byebyebadman said...

Actually, Rooney was seventeen. Love the dual of the old master keeping at bay the rising star.

pipita said...

Guitou

Pretty much true what you say about Ortega being a River man through n' through, but you got the facts of his exile pretty much tangled up...Had a first sojourn in Europe, roughly 1997-2000, at Valencia-Sampdoria-Parma, then came back to argentina and headed a couple of years later to a catastrophic experience in Turkey

guitougoal said...

Ariel Ortega to Villareal? not so sure , it was Riquelme- maldita sea
my alma.

Unknown said...

would this be the place to mention ... (coughs) ... respectfully ... (coughs again) ... marcelo bielsa's chile and the rather praiseworthy achievement earlier this evening ...

they played well.
they beat france.

désolé, mes amis.

but adu lurve bielsa :)

Anonymous said...

Some people on here are straying seriously off-topic.
Beware of Lord Ebren!
Is that quiche I smell - or is it tapir??

offsideintahiti said...

gg, une taperoume française? Maintenant? Avec plaisir.

Marcela, what was that? Chile beat France? Where, when, what?

offsideintahiti said...

By the way, I've already got more comments (not that it's a competition) than the guy doing the Ligue 1 roundup on GU, so I'm well chuffed, thanks lads.

And this was handed in earlier too, but the editing and posting standards are slipping here. What can I tell you. Anybody seen the (land)Lord?

Unknown said...

Thing about landlords, is that even if you can't see them from the taproom, they are generally no further away than the flat above the bar.

Sorry Offy, I will be better in future - and might even change the date on this article for you so it's right. If you're nice.

pipita said...

Yeah marcelita, what you on about?????? Have found nothing on a Chile-France game this evening. Offie, i think comandante atahualpa GG was expecting some kind of reaction from you about his referring to those "minor leagues" you bother to report on......

Unknown said...

toulon.
under 23.
i'm telling you, chilean news agencies are already talking about 'historic' and 'heroic'

p'raps lolo blanc should take over 'infanto-juvenil' squads for france...

back on topic nuff for you, prof greengrass?

offsideintahiti said...

pipita,

it's just another of gg's usual digs, water off an eiderdown duvet's back (or something). If you respond, there's no end to it.

Marcela, congratulations to the Bielsa boys, then. Are they going to the Olympics?

Unknown said...

i don't know.

argentina's olympic under-23, though, are playing catalunya in barcelona at the weekend. and i'm going there.

for some different rain. it seems.

Anonymous said...

well done, Chile.

I like all the Nasri-to-Arsenal rumours going around. Yes, please.

So to follow on Pipita's question, if Lyon's advantage is mostly economic, where does their money come from - do they have a in-house zillionaire? (I suppose I could google, but easier to ask here).

By the way, anyone seen Vikash Dhorasoo's film? I must admit I am curious, may have to hunt down a dvd at some point.

byebyebadman said...

Offy

Teams going to Beijing are as follows

http://www.fifa.com/menolympic/teams/index.html

Quite evenly spread, continentally speaking...

what do you think of the France squad? Whither Trezeguet?

guitougoal said...

hola,people de la noche, what's so heroic about being under 23 and in Toulon when St Tropez is 60 miles away?..
Muni,
Nasri wants to go, pap Diouf wants beaucoup money, Arsene doesnt like to spend it, at the end,may be a swap will do it.

offsideintahiti said...

Marcela, just saw the highlights and goals. Chile came back from 3-1 down to win 5-3, after France were reduced to 10 men. Still, not bad at all. And Diego is at the Cannes film festival for Kusturica's movie. When do we get to read your critique?

Toulon, Cannes, the spotlight seems to be on the French Riviera today (and I'm stuck in this hellhole). Is Guitou still in Mougins? Can we have an eyewitness report?

Unknown said...

i agree, guitou should be reporting from the red carpet.
offie - you've had my review :) on this very site...

guitougoal said...

offie,
I was therefor the bachir's waltz and that's it, happy to be back in Paris, looking for a bookie, I take chels at 2 to 1.

guitougoal said...

red carpet is for the mickeys-
I couldn't even climb the stairs , we played 3 by side the day before with ex_St Etienne pros, I feel like a 70 years old.

offsideintahiti said...

Marcela,

I well remember reading your article on the (unfinished at the time) movie. For any who might have missed it, it's the vault, here:

http://pseudscorner.blogspot.com/2007/03/kusturica-on-maradona-marcela-mora-y.html

So my question stands, when do we get to read the follow up?


Guitou, 3 a side with ex St-Étienne pros? There's a tale to be told...

offsideintahiti said...

Munni,

Lyon's chairman, Jean-Michel Aulas (aka, Président Hélas) is a very shrewd and successful businessman. He invested a lot of his own money into the club, entered it on the stock market, etc... Regularly sees his best players plundered by bigger foreign fish and ruthlessly uses that money to plunder the best players of other French clubs (benching some of them, so that if they don't play for him, at least they don't do any harm, sounds familiar?) and thus stifling the life out of any budding challengers. I don't like it one bit, but if anyone can think of a solution to this merry-go-round, I'd love to hear it.

On a personal level, I think he's insufferable.

guitougoal said...

not to mention the revolving door
Aulas built for the managers-
Benching Benarfa this year was a disgrace, I hope Laurent Blanc get
a good player to replace Micoud with a strong midfield he can challenge Lyon for good the next time.

Unknown said...

a solution?
a solution??

if only...

perhaps it actually is the case that maradona's devotion to naples was the last true proletariat act in football. seriously. has it happened since then that 'talent' has just shoved two fingers in the face of 'establishment' and lifted the trophy?

tevez at west ham could have been similar, but they won not and it wasn't motivated by such driven desire to shake the powerful.

so... who will be the d'artagnan of league 1? the robin hood of the premiership?

NOT the Che Guevara of Cannes, of that I'm sure :)

Anonymous said...

offy, guitou, thanks for the detailed explanation, I suspected it was something of that sort.

marcela beat me to it, what we need is Revolution, but even that, I fear, is only ever a temporary solution.

guitougoal said...

the last one, not perhaps, for sure- I agree,however some experts would mention that Beckham
commitment to american soccer is another example of a true proletariat act.

guitougoal said...

Marcela,
Forget Barcelonna let's go to Fez Morroco,they have the best mint tea in the world we just bring our bottle of rhum and we'll make the greatest mojitos, porque no?

offsideintahiti said...

Badman, *sorry, missed your question there*

I do feel sorry for David Trézéguet, a player I rate very highly. But there is so much that is bizarre with Domenech's list that I wouldn't know where to start.

I suppose it's down to the system. Domenech will probably go for 4-2-3-1 and already has a choice of Henry, Anelka, and Benzema as a lone striker. I think he feels Trézéguet is no longer mobile enough for that system, and doesn't want to take such an experienced player along to sit him on the bench. He didn't take it well at the last World Cup and, allegedly, brought the mood down in the camp.

It's a shame, but you also have to wonder about the absences of Giuly, Clichy, Pires and others. And it's nothing to do with star signs.

Oh, and Boumsong is in. grmpf.

Unknown said...

guitou. are you crazy? forget checho batista's barceolna?!!

ok. let's do it. let's go to maRRuecos.

munni can lead the revolution and we shall download it from the mojito wireless pool-side terrace...

will henry fill in trezeguet's boots? 'experienced', 'benched', and 'bringing the mood down'?

is thierry the next tragedy in the soap that is big stage football?

buenas noches, all. alez les bleus!!

Anonymous said...

guitou,
ex-St. Etienne pros, is it?
Yesterday my students were playing end-of-term seven-a-side against a sibling school (n.b. PC terminology
- all those hours on the GU blog are paying dividends).
I had graciously agreed to be their
Lord Wrigley.
There were only 6 of them and they were flagging. They entreated me to
shed my track suit and join in, but I declined.
I pointed out that a substantial chunk of Sweden's health-service staff is now on strike, and I refuse to break my legs - thus breaking picket lines.

marcela,
will the above qualify for your competition for the last true proletarian act in footy?

pipita,
if Offie visibly reacted to my jibes, I would surely have him committed.

offsideintahiti said...

gg,

and Sibling is what, 20 miles or so north of Stockholm? Not far from Bildning in fact, non?

Committed? You bet.

Anonymous said...

offy,
yes - turn right at Bildning, sharp left at the Pakalolo Tavern, and you'll find Sibling, the ancestral seat of the Swedish sept of the Clan Greengrass.

Unknown said...

It's terrible this silverware chasing.

Diarra ditched Chelsea and then Arsenal so he could win a cup this season. The bastard.

Jonny Woodgate almost fitted in to this category, going back to Boro, but then ruined it by heading to Spurs.

Nicky Barnby at Hull might be a decent example. LeTissier at Saints?

guitougoal said...

gg,offie,
st etienne indeed,but retired 20 years ago,
one of them drinks twice more than the three of us all together- I am sure offie
remember la cuesta del sol...

offsideintahiti said...

Félix? Ah, come on, spill les haricots.

guitougoal said...

Also about Pires and Giuly , this year it's time to bring the new wave, Nasri, benarfa, even Gomis I think it was a great call. As far as Clichy or Baccary Sagna it's sad but the left and right sides are filled.Abidal ,Evra-Sagnol-?
the Boomsong pick it's so foolish, I suspect he needed someone for carrying the
heavy bags.

guitougoal said...

felix best buddy is a deutch retired alcoholic ship-captain-Both of them are spending their retirement funds at the same bar every day.

Anonymous said...

guitou,
I've never sailed an alcoholic ship, let alone captained one, though my father was the keeper of the Eddystone lighthouse.

guitougoal said...

dear professor,
The light just went on,
forgive my ignorance, I should have known
that you grew up in a lighthouse -Your legendary romanticism finally explained and understood.

Anonymous said...

guitou,
here is the complete version:

The Keeper of the Eddystone Light

Me father was the keeper of the Eddystone Light,
And he slept with a mermaid one fine night
Out of this union there came three,
A porpoise and a porgy, and the other was me!
Chorus:
With a yo-ho-ho, let the wind blow free,
It’s all for the life on the rolling sea!

One night, as I was a-trimmin’ the glim
And singing a verse from the evening hymn
I see by the light of me binnacle lamp,
Me kind old father lookin’ jolly and damp.
Chorus:
With a yo-ho-ho, let the wind blow free,
It’s all for the life on the rolling sea!

A voice from starboard shouted, “Ahoy!” And there was me mother sittin’ on a buoy
Meanin’ a bouy for ships what sail,
And not a boy what’s a juvenile male.
Chorus:
With a yo-ho-ho, let the wind blow free,
It’s all for the life on the rolling sea!

“Well, what became of me children three?”
Me mother then she asked of me.
Well, one was exhibited as a talking fish,
The other was served as a savory dish.
Chorus:
With a yo-ho-ho, let the wind blow free,
It’s all for the life on the rolling sea!

The phosphorous flashed in her seaweed hair
I looked again and me mother wasn’t there,
But her voice came echoing out of the night,
“To hell with the keeper of the Eddystone Light!”
Chorus:
With a yo-ho-ho, let the wind blow free,
It’s all for the life on the rolling sea!

pipita said...

Tremendous stuff GG!!!! Atahualpa would no doubt have been proud of this. But please don't tell me your not up for a seven-a-side kick about. Follow Guitou's example, 3-a-side!!!! The worse nightmare of my wednesday evening football is that we won't be able to get hold of 8-10 and that we'll end up playing three aside, so hats off for you monsieur. But, off course, in typical fashion, you don't want to name your st ettienne buddies

pipita said...

Marcela

Toulon it was...I didn't even know this meaningless tournament was stil being played. Chileans must be in a state of total ecstacy....I remember when Argentina won it in the mid seventies against France with a goal by a certain young promise called Valdano. It was before we won a World cup so there was a bit of fuss over here

guitougoal said...

Pipita,
I am speechless between Gg and offie we have very special Pulitzer material, may be we should start a new career as Talent agents with office in Paris, Buenos Aires y Los Angeles. We could cash 90% for our fees and leave 10% for their drinking habits, the pens and paper-You should draft the contract in spanish to make sure they don't get the rules of the game-

guitougoal said...

pipita,st etienne , Lacuesta, Christian Lopex y Ibanes (who never made it to the 1st team but he is the best of the three-Christian is an insurance agent and coach yougsters for Cannet Rocheville, Lacuesta is mentioned above.
Btw, I mentioned at the start of this season my expectations for St Etienne to do well, if you recall. I am pleased unfortunately Gomis is too good to be ignored by the big clubs.

pipita said...

You just keep thinking Butch, I mean Guitou, that's what your good at!! Off course I'm in for this talent seeking agency. You can't be so foolish as to leave an argie contact out of this kind of deal...I say, C Lopex!! didn't he play for France in the 78 WC in Argentina?? Centre-half, right?? Monsieur, you never cease to surprise me
Going back to a previous topic raised here. I find it totally unbelievable that France leave out such a luxury of a striker as trezeguet, 20 goals a year for Juve and not good enough to play for hid country...Get rid of that clown of a coach you have

guitougoal said...

Pipita'
you may ad 5% for their Pakalolo, these two exceptional artists may grab a Nobel prize with the usual medicine at hand-
I am off for to watch Makelele take care of Christiano ankles....

Anonymous said...

pipita,
I didn't write those lyrics (wish I had!) but I'll sing it with you when we all meet up in B.A., Barcelona, Tahiti or Gothenburg.

Zephirine said...

And a very fine lighthouse it is too.

I've just found out that a porgy is a fish, wonderful thing the internet. Doesn't stop this being a beautiful song though.

pipita said...

Don't worry GG, the pullitzer is what we are heading for now. Guitou, I'm not too sure about the pakalolo percentage you suggest, a bit stingy, no?? Off to watch the Russian finale myself. Adiós amigos

offsideintahiti said...

Yawn... 'morning ladies & gents. Zeph, thanks for the tune, lovely voice to wake up by.

I love lighthouses, me. Wanted to live in one. In Scotland, preferably. To watch the fog and drink whisky. Mrs O said no, let's go to Tahiti.

Enjoy the game!

offsideintahiti said...

Overtime.

*squeak squeak squeaketty squeak squeaky*

offsideintahiti said...

That's what I call squeaking through.

Congrats, gg!

BD & Co., it's cruel. Very cruel.

Anonymous said...

Ta very much, Offy!

Commiserations, dear Chelsea friends!

offsideintahiti said...

gg,

you sound very restrained?

Zephirine said...

Was that the slictueux Ronaldo sobbing into the Moscow turf? Hehe.

Blimey, I only watched the extra time and the penalties and I'm exhausted...

offsideintahiti said...

Yeah, I'm drained too. And I'm supposed to be a neutral.

Anonymous said...

offy,
definitely restrained, yes!

I exploded when we won, enjoyed a victory cigar, paid the bill for me and my Uruguayan mate - if ever there was a night to say "It's on me!", this was it - and, wreathed in smiles, wended my way home.

My thoughts were with my Chelsea mates - I would have hated losing a game like that. Thus no room for gloating, since it couldn't be done tongue-in-cheek.

I could have penned a few harsh words about certain players, but didn't bother. I did, however, spare a malevolent thought for a Chelsea groundsman; mea culpa.

Am I growing old?

guitougoal said...

Holly Night in Moscow, if you're red , you are supposed to win in Russia , if you're Abramavotich you shouldn't loose at a russian roulette game..cruel for the blues but I am happy for Giggs, Scholes, and sir Alex, their contribution to their club has been second to none.

offsideintahiti said...

It's OK, I like restrained.

Guitou, who the hell is Abramavotich? Another jazz singer in a Mougins restaurant?

Anonymous said...

Offy,
you mean you've never heard of Kinky Friedman's sidekick, Itchy Abramovitch?

His recording of "Am I Blue?" is legendary.

guitougoal said...

Abramovitch, jazz singer ,singing the blues;
born a morning when the sun din't shine
went to london and now Chelsea is mine
Didn't like Jose,with Avram things went up
at the last minute nicolas fucked it up

offsideintahiti said...

Thanks lads, sing me a moody blues, I'm off to bed. Good night/day/afternoon, whichever you're having.

Anonymous said...

The sight of Big John Terry lying on the pitch weeping like a baby will stay with me for a very long time.
And not in a good way.

offsideintahiti said...

End of season wrap-up:

Coupe de France final: Lyon beat PSG (1-0, AET)

Lyon win the cup for the 1st time since 1973 and do the double for the first time ever.

A logical result as PSG hit the bar twice, had a blatant penalty for handball turned down, had a shot cleared off the line, Coupet made a couple of miraculous saves, Lyon's Keita amazingly finished the game even though he elbowed Armand in the face and then attempted to amputate Mario Yepes just below the knee.

Lyon had one shot on target all night, deep into extra-time and Govous buried it.

Well deserved, then.

And I believe Coupet is going to England. Where to? That's the million euro question.

offsideintahiti said...

Govou. Not Govous.

There's only one of him.

And he's in Domenech's squad.

Bugger.

Anonymous said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxDVc80Z3FI

High class games ...

Tweet it, digg it