Entries By francecom

Euro finals will mark end of French golden generation

LA GRANDE MOTTE, France, May 31 (Reuters) – Whatever the outcome of Euro 2004 for defending champions France, the tournament will mark the end of the generation brought to life by coach Aime Jacquet.

In the space of 10 years, the team, arguably the best France has ever produced, wrote the brightest and the darkest pages of French soccer’s story under Jacquet and his successor Roger Lemerre.

They became the first side to clinch the World Cup and the European Cup in succession before they experienced one of the biggest failures in World Cup history.

The generation emerged when Jacquet was named to replace the sacked Gerard Houllier after France were eliminated by Bulgaria in their last qualifying match for the 1994 World Cup finals.

French honoring WWII vets

He is a successful business man, proud father of two and a highly decorated World War II veteran, but Charles Uranga will soon be adding something new to his list of accomplishments.

Uranga and 99 other former U.S. soldiers will soon receive the most prestigious award the French government can bestow.

The veterans are being decorated in France on the 60th Anniversary of the Normandy landing for their part in the liberation of France during World War II.

The French Government has chosen these soldiers to be named Knight of the Legion of Honor.

The former soldiers are also receiving an all expense paid trip to Paris so they can accept this award in person.

Serena wins over French

Serena Williams won her fourth-round match and the hearts of fans at the French Open yesterday, while Daniel Nestor of Toronto and partner Mark Knowles of the Bahamas are through to the quarter-finals. Williams, jeered earlier in the tournament, drew only cheers after beating Shinobu Asagoe of Japan, 6-3, 6-1.

It was the sort of dominating performance so typical of the Williams sisters. Second-seeded Serena smacked 24 winners to three for Asagoe.

Williams, the 2002 champion, closed out the victory when she put away a swinging volley from the baseline — a shot most players wouldn’t even attempt. She curtsied and smiled as the centre court crowd applauded.

Zidane set to grace the big stage perhaps for last time

PARIS, May 24 (Reuters) – France went down on their knees at the 2002 World Cup because Zinedine Zidane injured his thigh a few days before the start of the tournament.

French fans might also kneel, this time as a testimony of admiration, if the balding playmaker leaves his mark on the European Championship as he did in the 1998 World Cup final or the 2002 Champions League final.

With the Euro 2004 finals starting next month, the soft-spoken Zidane will have the opportunity to show once again that he is among the world’s greatest ever players.

The brilliant playmaker has extended his contract with Real Madrid until 2007 but he was a little more coy when asked if he would go on with Les Bleus after the competition in Portugal.