Les Bleuets [R]

[Montréal United]

To celebrate the advent of Les Bleus' forum, here's a thread for "Les Bleuets".

The subject is all national selections that are under the senior team. Before discussing the current generations, here's a look back at the previous "most senior" teams since U-20 don't exist anymore…

First up, the 2000-2002 (U-20) with clubs at the time and current clubs. Lots of familiar names in there…

**Note that the lists are not exhaustive and are listings of the typical selection**

Gardiens de but
• Sébastien Frey (Inter Milan) - Fiorentina
• Landreau Mickaël (FC Nantes)
• Grégorini Damien (Marseille) - Nice

Défenseurs
• Jean-Alain Boumsong (A.J. Auxerre) - Newcastle
• Armand Sylvain (FC Nantes) - PSG
• Jérémy Brechet (Olympique Lyonnais) - Real Sociedad
• Zoumana Camara (Olympique de Marseille) – St-Etienne
• Delpierre Mathieu (Lille) - VfB Stuttgart
• David Di Tommaso (A.S. Monaco) - FC Utrecht
• Franck Mantingou (S.C. Bastia) - Unknown
• Julien Escudé (Stade Rennais) - Ajax
• Anthony Reveillère (Stade Rennais) – Lyon

Milieux de terrain
• Mathieu Berson (FC Nantes) - Auxerre
• Mathis Lionel (Auxerre)
• Stéphane Dalmat (Paris-Saint-Germain) - Racing Santander
• Peter Luccin (Paris-Saint-Germain) - Atletico Madrid
• Steed Malbranque (Olympique Lyonnais) - Fulham
• Julien Sablé (A.S. Saint-Etienne)
• Olivier Sorlin (Montpellier H.S.C.) - Monaco
• Benoît Pedretti (Sochaux) – Lyon

Attaquants
• Cyril Chapuis (Stade Rennais) – None, last seen with Ajaccio
• Fabrice Ehret (R.C. Strasbourg) - Anderlecht
• Olivier Kapo-Obou (A.J. Auxerre)
• Pegguy Luyindula (R.C. Strasbourg)
• Sydney Govou (Lyon)
• Pierre-Alain Frau (Sochaux) - Lyon


Next up, the U-21 of 2002-2004, if I'm not mistaken. Fabien Laurenti, who???

Gardiens de but :
o Charles Itandje (Lens)
o Nicolas Penneteau (Bastia)

Défenseurs:
o Mathieu Delpierre (Lille) - VfB Stuttgart
o Patrice Evra (Monaco)
o Jacques Faty (Rennes)
o Gaël Givet (Monaco)
o Fabien Laurenti (Marseille) - Ajaccio
o Philippe Mexès (Auxerre) - Roma
o Sylvain Monsoreau (Sochaux) - Lyon

Milieux de terrain :
o Benoît Cheyrou (Lille) - Auxerre
o Alou Diarra (Bastia) - Lens
o Jérémy Mathieu (Sochaux) - Toulouse
o Lionel Mathis (Auxerre)
o Bernard Mendy (Paris SG)
o Jérémy Toulalan (Nantes)

Attaquants :
o Hervé Bugnet (Le Havre) - Montpellier
o Habib Bamogo (Montpellier) - Nantes
o Djibril Cissé (Auxerre) - Liverpool
o Anthony Le Tallec (Liverpool/ANG) – Sunderland
o Florent Sinama-Pongolle (Liverpool/ANG)

[gaijin]

Matingou is still at Bastia I believe...

[Montréal United]

I'll now track the results of the latest generation going:

Current selections:

U-21 2004-2006
Gardiens :
o Jérémy Gavanon (Clermont) -
o Steve Mandanda (Le Havre)

Défenseurs :
o Jérémy Berthod (Lyon)
o Jean-Michel Badiane (Paris-SG)
o Grégory Bourillon (Rennes)
o Gaël Clichy (Arsenal)
o Jacques Faty (Rennes)
o Bakari Sagna (Auxerre)
o Ronald Zubar (Caen)

Milieux de terrain :
o Mathieu Debuchy (Lille)
o Lassana Diarra (Chelsea/ANG)
o Etienne Didot (Rennes)
o Julien Faubert (Bordeaux)
o Rio-Antonio Mavuba (Bordeaux)
o Franck Ribéry (Marseille)
o Jérémy Toulalan (Nantes)

Attaquants :
o Bryan Bergougnoux (Toulouse)
o Jimmy Briand (Rennes)
o Anthony Le Tallec (Sunderland/ANG)
o Florent Sinama-Pongolle (Liverpool/ANG)


Latest U-19 (original selection)
Coach: Philippe Bergeroo, ex-Rennes if I'm not mistaken

Gardiens de but
• Benoît Costil (SM Caen)
• Rémy Riou (Olympique Lyonnais)


Défenseurs
• Ognandon Akakpo (AJ Auxerre)
• Abdelkarim El Mourabet (FC Nantes)
• Thomas Mangani (AS Monaco)
• Mustapha Omari Alaoui (B. Châteauroux)
• Sandy Paillot (Olympique Lyonnais)
• Steven Thicot (FC Nantes)


Milieux de terrain
• Romain Beynie (Olympique Lyonnais)
• Pierre Ducasse (FCG Bordeaux)
• Benjamin Laurant (Le Havre AC)
• Blaise Matuidi (ES Troyes AC)
• Samir Nasri (Olympique de Marseille)
• Franck Songo'o (Portsmouth, Ang)


Attaquants
• Hatem Ben Arfa (Olympique Lyonnais)
• Karim Benzema (Olympique Lyonnais)
• Issiar Dia (SC Amiens)
• Jérémy Menez (FC Sochaux)


Latest U-18 (original selection)
Coach: Guy Ferrier

Gardiens de but

• Anthony Scribe (Montpellier HSC)
• Kevin Olimpa (FCG Bordeaux)

Défenseurs
• Paul Baysse (FCG Bordeaux)
• Garry Bocaly (O. Marseille)
• Yannick Konki (FC Sochaux)
• M. Henri Ekwe Ebele (RC Strasbourg)
• Nicolas Fernandes (FC Metz)
• Lossemy Karaboué (Ol. Lyonnais)
• remplace Onanga Itoua (AJ Auxerre)

Milieux de terrain
• Maxim Jasse (AJ Auxerre)
• Malaury Martin (AS Monaco)
• Oumar N'Diaye (Toulouse FC)
• Frédéric Nimani N'Galou (AS Monaco)
• Quentin Othon (RC Strasbourg)
• Steve Pinau (AS Monaco)
• Damien Plessis (O. Lyonnais)
• Geoffrey Tulasne (FC Sochaux)
• Jerry Vandam (Lille OSC)

Attaquants
• Rudy Gestede (FC Metz)
• Kevin Monnet-Paquet (RC Lens)
• Anthony Modeste (OGC Nice)
• Jimmy Roye (OGC Nice)


Latest U-17 (original selection)
Coach: Luc Rabat

Gardiens de but

• Vincent Degré (FC Metz)
• Mathieu Dreyer (FC Sochaux)

Défenseurs

• Loïc Abenzoar (Olympique Lyonnais)
• Loïc Nestor (Le Havre)
• Antoine Picot (RC Strasbourg)
• Léo Schwechlen (AS Monaco)
• Christian Tadembo (Lille OSC)
• Melvyn Vieira (AJ Auxerre)

Milieux de terrain

• Romain Dedola (Olympique Lyonnais)
• Jérémy Pied (Olympique Lyonnais)
• Loïc Poujol (FC Sochaux)
• Anthony Mascarte (Lille OSC)
• Morgan Schneiderlein (RC Strasbourg)
• Moussa Sissoko (Toulouse FC)
• Distel Zola (AS Monaco)

Attaquants

• Dominique Malonga (AS Monaco)
• David N'Gog (Paris SG)
• Gabriel Obertan (Girondins de Bordeaux)

Latest U-16 (original selection)
Coach: François Blaquart

Gardiens de but

• Joris Delle (FC metz)
• Samir Kouakbi (Olympique de Marseille)

Défenseurs

• Kévin Barre (FC Nantes)
• Omar Benzerga (Lille OSC)
• Medhi Bousbaa (FC Metz)
• Harold Ebrard (AJ Auxerre)
• Aristote Lusinga (FC Nantes)
• Aurélien Teaudors (FC Sochaux)

Milieux de terrain

• Frédéric Bulot (AS Monaco)
• Jérémy Daouk (Montpellier HSC)
• Guillaume Insou (Girondins de Bordeaux)
• Saïd Mehamha (Olympique Lyonnais)
• Martial Riff (FC Sochaux)
• Henri Saivet (Girondins de Bordeaux)
• Gwenael Souprayen (FC Sochaux)

Attaquants

• Vincent Acapandie (AJ Auxerre)
• Thibault Bourgeois (FC Metz)
• Yann Ekra (Olympique Lyonnais)
• Steven Monrose (RC Lens)

[Montréal United]

Matingou is still at Bastia I believe...

He still is indeed, but is far from a regular...

[Montréal United]

For fun, a U-15 selection from 2000…

Even at that level, a professionnal career is still a longshot dream…

Gardiens de but
• Benoît Benvegnu (Toulouse FC)
• Nicolas Cousin (PSG)

Défenseurs

• Thomas Alexandre (RC Lens)
• Mickaël Bertrand (AJ Auxerre)
• Guillaume Dumast (Montpellier HSC)
• Abel Favry (Stade Lavallois)
• Steven Inzerillo (Montpellier HSC)
• Olivier Veigneau (AS Monaco)

Milieux de terrain
• Mathieu Debuchy (Lille OSC)
• Jonathan Bru (INF)
• Guillaume Plessis (RC Lens)
• Samuel Robail (Lille OSC)
• Mohamed Sissoko (AJ Auxerre)
• Ali Samy Yachir (Montpellier HSC)

Attaquants
• Jimmy Briand (INF / Stade Rennais)
• Saïd Khitter (RC Lens)
• Sylvain Laurent (FC Nantes)
• Kevin Lejeune (AJ Auxerre)

Who actually was fortunate enough to make it already to the big lights:
Olivier Veigneau still with Monaco
Mathieu Debuchy playing the CL with Lille
Sissoko now with Liverpool via Valencia
Jimmy Briand still with Rennes

That's 4 out of 18… Actually pretty good considering that a lot happens growing up from 15 year old to 20.

[gaijin]

Berthod, Clichy, Ribery and Toulalan should be in Les Bleus side pretty soon....

[gaijin]

Sissoko now with Liverpool via Valencia


And choose Mali over France....

Works both ways as many people seem to forget. :rolleyes:

[Montréal United]

And choose Mali over France....

Works both ways as many people seem to forget. :rolleyes:

Wow, I didn't remember that one.

I'm glad it works the other way. Maybe they could find some Canadian links and take up our nationality...

[sl7vk]

And choose Mali over France....

Works both ways as many people seem to forget. :rolleyes:

As did Freddi Kanoute.... I think both have questioned that decision due to some of the violence they've both faced after losses. Kanoute in particular has questioned whether he will play for Mali again.

[jambon-beurre]

The biggest loss for France among players who chose to play for the country of their parents is Marouane Chamack, I think. He's a truly great player who's already a starter for the moroccan NT, and I'm convinced he could have played for the french NT in a few years.
Everytime I hear him talking with his southern France accent, it makes me sad :o :D

[Montréal United]

2000-2002 (U-20) with clubs at the time and current clubs. Lots of familiar names in there…

Défenseurs
• David Di Tommaso (A.S. Monaco) - FC Utrecht


http://www.football365.fr/depeches/story_191696.shtml

Sad news today as David passed away at the age of 26.

[sl7vk]

http://www.football365.fr/depeches/story_191696.shtml

Sad news today as David passed away at the age of 26.

Wow that is horrible! I remember watching a young Di Tommaso playing at Monaco when i was in France. I wonder what the hell happened.

Football: le Français du FC Utrecht Di Tommaso décède durant son sommeil (http://fr.sports.yahoo.com/29112005/1/football-le-francais-du-fc-utrecht-di-tommaso-decede-durant.html)

This article goes into some more detail, but is in French.

Edit, found it in English.

Utrecht defender Di Tommaso dies aged 26 (http://fr.sports.yahoo.com/29112005/1/photo/david-di-tommaso-portant-le-maillot-de-l-as-monaco.html)

[Douai]

Is anyone else bothered by this "did not qualify" record:

* 1978: Did not qualify. Finished 3rd of 3 in qualification group.
* 1980: Did not qualify. Finished 2nd of 3 in qualification group.
* 1982: Losing quarter-finalists.
* 1984: Losing quarter-finalists.
* 1986: Losing quarter-finalists.
* 1988: Winners.
* 1990: Did not qualify. Finished 2nd of 4 in qualification group.
* 1992: Did not qualify. Finished 2nd of 5 in qualification group.
* 1994: Losing semi-finalists. Finished fourth.
* 1996: Losing semi-finalists. Finished third.
* 1998: Did not qualify. Finished 2nd of 5 in qualification group.
* 2000: Did not qualify. Finished 1st of 5 in qualification group. Lost qualification play-off.
* 2002: Runners-up.
* 2004: Did not qualify. Finished 1st of 5 in qualification group. Lost qualification play-off.
* 2006: Losing semi-finalists.
* 2007: Did not qualify. Lost qualification play-off.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France_national_under-21_football_team

[guignol]

Is anyone else bothered by this "did not qualify" record: not really... you can chalk it up imo to so many potential bleuets being A-team material. can anyone imagine not qualifying with nasri, benzema, ben arfa, briand, diaby, diarra... ??? it would be a massacre!

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

As he typically is, guignol is right, we shouldn't be bothered about Les Bleuets not qualifying when a good amount of Bleuets get called up to the senior team. However, I have to admit I am disappointed with losing in the playoffs to Israel, and also with team selection (though I admit I'm very biased on Ben Arfa).

The good, though, is that there a ton of very good players who have not been called up by M. Domenech and are eligible to be on Les Bleuets.

Since I got back yesterday from a 2-week vacation in France, I thought I'd give a bit of an update on the status of some of them, as well as my own thoughts.

This is based off of the squad picked in their last match, which had been in June. Guys whom I personally believe to be a bit more noteworthy are in bold.

Gardiens de but (Goalkeepers)

Hugo Lloris (86, Nice): Already one of L1's best goalkeepers, Lloris had some wonderful matches for Nice in which he pulled off some brilliant saves.

Rémy Riou (87, Lyon, loaned to Lorient): Riou I would say doesn't have as much ability as Lloris, though take a look at Lorient's defensive record with him and their record without him. It is like night and day.

Défenseurs

Sébastien Bassong (86, Metz): I have to admit I don't know anything about this guy.

Habib Bellaïd (86, Strasbourg): Bellaid is a big (1m88) defender who's good in the air and is quite strong. He is a good leader as well. He has to work on defensive awareness and positioning, though.

Mouhamadou Dabo (86, Saint-Etienne): I don't know much about Mouhamadou, except that he's being used at right back with Les Espoirs, though he is listed at his club as a midfielder.

Didier Digard (86, Le Havre): There are L1 clubs (PSG and Monaco) who are reportredly extremely eager to get this guy, and with good reason, though at first glance, it's not that easy to understand why. Diidier I think is like the other Didier (Deschamps) in that he's not particularly brilliant at anything, though he's the consummate team worker, and a guy who makes everyone around him better. Didier has been playing at the back with Les Bleuets, but he's also a defensive midfielder (like Deschamps).

Younes Kaboul (86, Auxerre, though apparently now heading to Tottenham): With his size and strength (he's 1m90+) Kaboul is a very powerful defender who is dominant in the air. Had a good season at Auxerre, though he can be beaten on pace.

Florian Marange (86, Bordeaux): Flo's been a bit disappointing, in my opinion. In every game I've seen, he appears to lose the ball, or be in the wrong place (he actually scored an own goal in the lsat match). Nevertheleess, he has speed, a good shot and doesn't appear to tire much during the game.

Milieux de terrain

Clément Chantôme (87, PSG): Chantôme came out of nowhere to break into the lineup at PSG, but I'm not convinced yet, actually. I mean, I've watched him play, and to me, anyway, he doesn't appear to have that much ability, except he's always hustling. (I would say the same about Cebello Rodríguez as well.)

Mathieu Coutadeur (86, Le Mans): Already a starter at Le Mans, Coutadeur is a speedy defensive midfielder who almost always puts in good efforts. Like a lot of the defensive-minded players on this list, he won't "wow" you, though he's the kind of guy that helps his team win.

Issiar Dia (87, Nancy): After all the solid, dependable guys who won't do anything brilliant but are effective, here's a guy who is capable of amazing stuff. Dia has been compared to Frank Ribery, mainly because he's a diminutive (he's even shorter at 1m65), lightning-quick dribbler with a lot of tricks up his sleeve. He is also capable of playing anywhere in midfield or attack. He doesn't score as often as Ribery, though, although when he does, it will likely get on a highlight reel.

Yoann Gourcuff (86, Milan): I expect the majority of you know who Yoann Gourcuff is, though in case you don't, he's a midfielder who can do almost anything on the pitch, and do it with much class. He has the physique, technique and mentality to be a top-notch midfielder, and though he didn't appear much at the end of Milan's Champions League campaign, he got into a decent amount of games earlier in the campaign. Actually, many in the French press expected him to be called up by le Raymond for the Lithuania as well as Ukraine/Georgia qualifiers, though we all know how Ray treats Italian-based guys. :rolleyes:

Sylvain Marveaux (86, Rennes): Another member of what I have to admit is an impressive Rennes centre de formation of late (Didot, Mvuemba, Briand, Faty, etc.), Sylvain is a little guy who has quick feet and a good shot. However, he can disappear from games.

Blaise Matuidi (87, Troyes): Wanted by a few clubs in L1, Blaise is a solid defensive midfielder who is a good passer and has a heavy shot. With Troyes being relegated, Matuidi should be at a L1 club very soon, and likely be a starter.

Attaquants

Hatem Ben Arfa (87, Lyon): I don't think that it's a stretch at all to say that Ben Arfa has as much ability as anybody in France today, though he hasn't been able to put it all together yet. When he's on his game, he can cut through a defense and finish with ease, blast a 35-m shot into the top corner, do bicycle kicks, etc. The issue with Hatem Ben Arfa is, well, Hatem Ben Arfa. He's been lazy, insouciant if you will, and inconsistent, though he's admitted it. That's good, Hatem. Admitting the problem is the first step. Taking the departing Flo Malouda's place at left winger is the second. Do that successfully, and soon you'll be joining your friends buddies Nasri and Benzema chez Les Bleus.

Yoan Gouffran (86, Caen): Also courted by a bunch of L1 clubs, Gouffran is a speedy attacker with a very good shot and good technique. After all, he did score 15 goals in L2. Definitely a good player to have on Les Espoirs, although there's a mountain of guys to overtake (Benzema being one) to get into the senior team.

Jérémy Ménez (87, Monaco): Arguably the lowest profile of the attacking trio that brought home the Euro U-17 crown (Ben Arfa, Nasri, Ménez had been the attack of the tournament), Ménez is definitely not short of ability, as he can score amazing goals, along with very good speed and technique. A first-teamer at Monaco, Ménez is actually not that far away from the senior squad, as Domenech listed him among the attackers he will follow in an interview after the Georgia match.

Dimitri Payet (87, Saint-Etienne): In a sad season for Nantes, :( Payet was one of the highlights. As a left-sided attacker who is also capable of scoring goals (he came off the bench to score a brace in an earlier Espoirs match), Payet is a speedy dribbler and should do well at Saint-Etienne in replacing the apparently departing Gomis (I think I'm one of the few out there who actually think that's an upgrade). Like all the players above, he is technically very good, which is our trademark these days. :)

So, well, there you have it. Let's hope Clairefontaine can continue to produce as they have.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Oops, to be thorough, I should add both of these guys to the list, they were called up in the previous selection as well.

Julien Quercia (86, Sochaux): Another diminiutive guy with tons of speed, Quercia can play in the "support striker" Ludovic Giuly role, or as a striker, as he's capable of dribbling around defenses while getting goalscoring chances for himself as well. With Karim Ziani's departure to OM, one can only expect Quercia to start more often than he did this year.

Mamdou Samassa (86, Le Mans): The only attacking player in this selection that is above 1m85, Samassa is strong and dominant in the air. That's about it, or rather, that's all I know about him. He has been starting, and one has to think a lot of that could have to do with his aerial game. He is definitely a foil for the likes of Dia, Gouffran and Payet.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Thought I'd mention that the U-19 team is preparing in Grenoble right now for the Euro U-19 Championship in Austria, which starts on July 16. 25 guys have been called up, and to be fair, I don't know that many of them, with the exception of my Monaco ones. Anyway, here's the list, and those of you who are supporters of other clubs, you are more than invited to chip in and contribute what you know about your players.

Gardiens de but

* Johann Carrasso (Montpellier HSC)
* Simon Pontdeme (Chamois Niortais)
* Kevin Olimpa (FCG Bordeaux)



Défenseurs


* Paul Baysse (FCG Bordeaux)
* Thomas Heurtaux (SM Caen)
* Jean-Yves Mvoto (Paris-SG)
* Nicolas Fernandes (FC Metz)
* Damien Da Silva (Chamois Niortais)
* Guillaume Borne (Stade Rennais)
* Garry Bocaly (Libourne-Saint-Seurin)
* Quentin Othon (RC Strasbourg)
* Jean-Alain Fanchone (RC Strasbourg)



Milieux de terrain

* Kévin Bru (Stade Rennais)
* Etienne Capoue (Toulouse FC)
* Lossémy Karaboué (Olympique Lyonnais)
* Malaury Martin (AS Monaco)
* Granddi Ngoyi (Paris-Saint-Germain)
* Steve Pinau (AS Monaco)
* Damien Plessis (Olympique Lyonnais)
* Bakary Sako (Berrichonne Châteauroux)
* William Vainqueur (FC Nantes-Atlantique)



Attaquants


* Frédéric Nimani-Ngalou (AS Monaco)
* Rudy Gestede (FC Metz)
* Kevin Monnet-Paquet (RC Lens)
* Anthony Modeste (OGC Nice)

Here are my comments on my Monaco players.

Malaury Martin (88, Monaco, defensive midfielder): Even though he's from Nice, Martin has been in the youth ranks at l'ASM since he was 13, and has been steadily progressing. He is now the captain of this U-19 side, and seen as an automatic starter. Martin is an intelligent defensive midfielder in the Toulalan-style, as he isn't the bulldog Gattuso-type, but instead a guy who'll make the tackles he has to make, then distribute well. Now that Yaya Touré has gone to Barca, the door is open for Martin to claim a starting role. Of course, however, he will face competition from the guys mentioned below as well as Distel Zola, who happens to be the French U-18 captain.

Steve Pinau (88, Monaco, attacking midfielder): Not to be confused with the Colombian Juan Pablo Pino, Steve Pinau plays a bit like Samir Nasri, though I'll certainly admit he's nowhere as good. Pinau has very good speed as well as a good shot, though he is inconsistent and somewhat lazy. Considering who we have lost this offseason, Pinau could definitely get into the mix, though I would say that is less likely than the other 2 on this list.

Frédéric Nimani (88, Monaco, left winger/attacker): If one is looking for an attacker with tremendous speed and tremendous size, Nimani is your man. In terms of physique, he's been compared to Henry (who also developed at Monaco), and while it'd be insane to think Nimani could be another Henry, in terms of size/speed, he's there, while having a better aerial game than Henry. What Henry does so well that at this point, Nimani isn't very good at is involving other teammates. Too often Nimani appears as a solo artist on the left wing, beating defenders with his speed or dribbling by them, though when he has to make that pass to an open teammate, he struggles. Also, Nimani occasionally has difficulty making turns as even though they are the same height, Nimani is, and plays, a lot heavier than Henry. In any case, Nimani certainly is a player worth watching, and will likely command a starting role in the years ahead at l'ASM.

Now that Jérémy Ménez is with Les Espoirs, Monaco now has a minimum of 1 player in each every France national youth team from U-18 to Les Espoirs. :)

[Douai]

Malaury Martin (88, Monaco, defensive midfielder): Even though he's from Nice, Martin has been in the youth ranks at l'ASM since he was 13, and has been steadily progressing. He is now the captain of this U-19 side, and seen as an automatic starter. Martin is an intelligent defensive midfielder in the Toulalan-style, as he isn't the bulldog Gattuso-type, but instead a guy who'll make the tackles he has to make, then distribute well.

Sounds good for AS Monaco's future.

[Douai]

Thought I'd mention that the U-19 team is preparing in Grenoble right now for the Euro U-19 Championship in Austria, which starts on July 16. 25 guys have been called up, and to be fair, I don't know that many of them, with the exception of my Monaco ones. Anyway, here's the list, and those of you who are supporters of other clubs, you are more than invited to chip in and contribute what you know about your players.

Gardiens de but

* Johann Carrasso (Montpellier HSC)
* Simon Pontdeme (Chamois Niortais)
* Kevin Olimpa (FCG Bordeaux)



Défenseurs


* Paul Baysse (FCG Bordeaux)
* Thomas Heurtaux (SM Caen)
* Jean-Yves Mvoto (Paris-SG)
* Nicolas Fernandes (FC Metz)
* Damien Da Silva (Chamois Niortais)
* Guillaume Borne (Stade Rennais)
* Garry Bocaly (Libourne-Saint-Seurin)
* Quentin Othon (RC Strasbourg)
* Jean-Alain Fanchone (RC Strasbourg)



Milieux de terrain

* Kévin Bru (Stade Rennais)
* Etienne Capoue (Toulouse FC)
* Lossémy Karaboué (Olympique Lyonnais)
* Malaury Martin (AS Monaco)
* Granddi Ngoyi (Paris-Saint-Germain)
* Steve Pinau (AS Monaco)
* Damien Plessis (Olympique Lyonnais)
* Bakary Sako (Berrichonne Châteauroux)
* William Vainqueur (FC Nantes-Atlantique)



Attaquants


* Frédéric Nimani-Ngalou (AS Monaco)
* Rudy Gestede (FC Metz)
* Kevin Monnet-Paquet (RC Lens)
* Anthony Modeste (OGC Nice)


Here are the groups for the UEFA U-19 Championship:
Group A
Austria
Greece
Portugal
Spain

Group B
France
Germany
Serbia
Russia

How do you guys think France will do?

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Here are the groups for the UEFA U-19 Championship:
Group A
Austria
Greece
Portugal
Spain

Group B
France
Germany
Serbia
Russia

How do you guys think France will do?

The thing is, unlike other versions of the U-19 team (including the 2005 one, which won the tournament), there aren't any L1 starters in this team (although correct me if I'm wrong). However, the skill is definitely there, as my Monaco guys (Nimani, Martin, Pinau) as well as KMP (Kevin Monnet-Paquet), Gestede and Bocaly should all be L1 starters or more at some point.

Overall, though, I am hopeful that we will perform well, though to be completely objective, I wouldn't be that optimistic. I also don't know a thing about the coach, Guy Ferrier, except we lost to Slovakia with him at the helm. If KMP/Pinau in attack destroy opposing defenses, Malaury Martin controls the midfield, and we play solid team defense, we're in good shape. The other thing to note is that we have played with a different starting lineup in each of the qualifiers, hence, other than KMP, Martin and Pinau, no one it appears is guaranteed a starting role.

I'll try to see what I can dig up about the other teams competing, although I'd expect Spain, led by Aarón, to be a definite contender, as they typically are.