9/7: France vs. Cyprus [R]

[BrianCappellieri]

SoccerNet (http://www.soccernet.com/europe/news/2002/0903/20020903frahenry.html)Injured Henry misses qualifier

Arsenal striker Thierry Henry will miss Saturday's European championship qualifying match against Cyprus because of injury, France coach Jacques Santini said on Tuesday.

[BrianCappellieri]

SoccerAge (http://www.soccerage.com/en/13/h0381.html)TV Show More Important Than Cyprus-France

France manager Jacques Santini expressed his anger after the Euro 2004 qualifying match against Cyprus in Limassol was brought forward to 18.00 CET. "It's a total negation of our needs", he said in a press conference.

"We had to do so because at 20.00 CET the news are a steady fixture", French television Etienne Mougeotte explained. But it appears glossy singing competition "Star Academy" is the true reason why Cyprus-France was moved.

[Ombak]

What's the full squad for this match?

[BrianCappellieri]

FT Cyprus 1 - 2 France
13' Okkas
38' Djibrill Cisse
52' Sylvain Wiltord

[BrianCappellieri]

SoccerNet (http://www.soccernet.com/europe/2000/20020907/reports/60620_full.html)Wiltord Saviour

France, humbled at the World Cup finals, avoided a humiliating start to the defence of their European crown as they came from behind to snatch a 2-1 win over Cyprus in their opening group one qualifier on Saturday.

[BrianCappellieri]

SoccerAge (http://www.soccerage.com/en/13/h0833.html)Euro 2004 Qualifier Report: France Grab A Difficult Win Over Cyprus

Despite a very bad start, France managed to defeat 2-1 Cyprus in the first Euro 2004 qualifying match of the Group 1, which includes also Slovenia, Israel and Malta.

[BrianCappellieri]

Saw the highlights on Le Journal. The Cypriot goal was a chip over the keeper in the right side of the box. He had no shot at saving it. They also had a chance earlier when Desailly failed to head it back to the keeper and almost gave up a weak goal.

France's tying goal was Cisse's first internationally just poking near post past the keeper after battling with a defender.

The winning goal was the most spectacular. Wiltord from the top left-hand side of the box about 20 yards out. The keeper jumped to his left but Wiltord put perfect placement on it blasting it high into the right corner.