Reply #31: France [View All]

They have not played anywhere near their best football yet, although there have been a few moments where you could see the potential. As long as they stay patient and look to counter they can beat anyone left seems to me. Zidane's creativity feeding the speed and consumate skill of Thierry Henry, plus the opportunism of Trezuget, man, that's good stuff.

They are a bit fortunate though. They played the first round much the way Italy did, ie try not lose. Just take whatever opportunities you get and make em count. Italy just didn't make that work though. They didn't lose but they didn't dominate as they should have either and got squeezed out in the first round. Granted it was a tougher group but still.

My prediction is that France will beat Portugal handily in one semi, while in the other the Netherlands will win a rematch against the Czechs. In the final France will win a great game against Ruud and his mates 3-2. You heard it here first :)