[jamison]

Okay, just to break up the log jam of posts recently..

Group 1

Teams--- Pld--- W--- D--- L--- GS--- GA--- Pts
France--- 3--- 3--- 0--- 0--- 11--- 1--- 9
Israel--- 1--- 1--- 0--- 0--- 2--- 0--- 3
Slovenia--- 2--- 1--- 0--- 1--- 3--- 5--- 3
Cyprus--- 1--- 0--- 0--- 1--- 1--- 2--- 0
Malta--- 3--- 0--- 0--- 3--- 0--- 9--- 0

Remaining fixtures:

France Malta 29/03/03
Israel France 02/04/03
France Cyprus 06/09/03
Slovenia France 10/09/03
France Israel 11/10/03

So, I'm figuring on France finishing their 5 games like so:

France Malta 4-0
Israel France 1-3
France Cyprus 2-0
Slovenia France 0-0
France Israel 2-0

And getting 22 of 24 points while going 7-1-0 (w/d/l) in their 8 games. Arrogant estimation of their chances perhaps, but they are in a shockingly easy group. I guess things like this happen when you let 50+ teams into the same confederation.

From there, I think they reach the semis (final four) if everyone stays healthy, and will win it if the team is on form. Main worries are central defense and keeper, as Desailly will be gone (at 36) and Barthez will be 33.

Thoughts on my stating the painfully obvious?

[FIFA_King]

Don't be so confident with France beating Israel that easily! They are a good side and are capable of beating France in Israel (although the game will probably be played elsewhere due to political reasons) and will have to play at the peak of their game to beat them at home. I see no problems with the beating Cyprus and Malta though.

[SportBoy321]

This group is so weak that its hard to get excited about it if your a France fan. I'm waiting for the next phase to get really into it. I have no doubts we will crush Isreal.

[FIFA_King]

Originally posted by SportBoy321
This group is so weak that its hard to get excited about it if your a France fan. I'm waiting for the next phase to get really into it. I have no doubts we will crush Isreal.

Those doubts will be your undoing. People should stop underatting Israeli football and realise that they are becoming a big threat to other teams. Israel could easily beat France if France go into the match with the arrogence they showed during the WC!

[n00bie deluxe]

France seems to have gotten their form back with their last 2 fixtures. I expect nothing less than 5 convincing wins from them. I think it was a smart move on Santini's part to add some "young blood" to the team.

[Papa Bouba Diop]

Originally posted by FIFA_King


Israel could easily beat France if France go into the match with the arrogence they showed during the WC!

I don't think it was arrogance, the whole teams system was screwed up with the injuries to Zouzou and Pires, they needed a playmaker like Carriere to fill that gap, Micoud or Djorkaeff just didnt cut it.

You also saw how tired the players looked on the pitch the first two games, that was the case for most big teams thought.