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If France coach Raymond Domenech is to be reportedly believed, Les Bleus will win their third European title this summer at Austria and Switzerland. That is indeed an ambitious statement to make, but few will dispute the fact that the French are one of the favourites for the Euro 2008 title despite them being placed in the Group of Death along with the Netherlands, Italy and Romania. France have had mixed performances in major international tournaments since their historic Euro 2000 triumph. They performed poorly in the defence of their world title in Korea and Japan, and were knocked out in the first round without winning a single game. At Euro 2004, they suffered a shock exit in the last eight at the hands of outsiders Greece. Despite starting slowly at the 2006 World Cup, they made a mockery of pre tournament predictions by reaching the final before losing to Italy. But you can be assured that none of the teams will be taking the French lightly, even if they are without the mercurial Zinedine Zidane. There is a healthy mix of players from Ligue 1 Orange and players who ply their trade abroad. Our package allows you to watch France live at Euro 2008, at an amazing price of only £9.99. And along with Euro 2008, you also get to watch Lyon, Marseille, Paris St. Germain and other top clubs slogging it out in the French Ligue 1 for one full year.

The French qualified as Group B runners up, with twenty six points from twelve games. Topping the group was Italy, against whom France won at home and drew away, with twenty nine points. France scored the most number of goals ( 25) and conceded the least ( 5) in their group. Both their losses were against Scotland, who threatened to upset the applecart at one point, but eventually finished third in the group. Qualifying also saw Nicolas Anelka making a return to the French team. The Chelsea striker scored five goals, one less than Thierry Henry, and is a strong candidate to partner Henry at Euro 2008.

France's group fixtures at Euro 2008

June 9- Romania vs France in Zurich ( 18.00)

June 13- Netherlands vs France in Berne (20.45)

June 17- Italy vs France in Zurich ( 20.45)

Past performances at the European Football Championship

France took part in the inaugural tournament in 1960, and led 4-2 in the semifinal against Yugoslavia after sixty three minutes. However Yugoslavia scored three goals in five minutes to win the game 5-4. France lost the third place playoff 0-2 to Czechoslovakia.

Nearly two and a half decades later, France made their second appearance at the European Football Championship in 1984 as hosts. Riding on the brilliance of midfield playmaker Michel Platini, who scored nine goals, France breezed through the competition and beat Spain 2-0 in the final. Platini scored in all five of France's games, and scored two hat tricks. France's midfield was their strength, with Platini, Fernandez, Tigana and Alain Giresse forming a strong quartet.

Embarrassingly, France failed to qualify for Euro 1988, and thus, did not defend their title. At Euro 1992, needing a point to qualify for the next round, they lost to Denmark, and were knocked out of the tournament.

At Euro 1996, the team, consisting of Youri Djorkaeff, Laurent Blanc, Zinedine Zidane, Bixente Lizarazu and others picked up seven points from a group that also consisted of Spain, Bulgaria and Romania. As group winners, France played Holland in the quarterfinals and won 5-4 on penalties. The semifinal against the Czech Republic also went to penalties. The five who had scored against Holland in the previous game, scored this time too, but the sixth- Reynald Pedros missed his spotkick and France were out of the tournament.

France came into Euro 2000 as strong favourites, having won the World Cup at home two years earlier. They lost to the Netherlands in their final group game, but qualified for the knockout stages behind the Dutch. Spain were beaten 2-1 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, France faced Portugal, a team that impressed one and all with its performances in the tournament. After David Trezeguet cancelled out Nuno Gomes' opener, it was left to Zinedine Zidane to convert a penalty in the 117th minute to give France victory. The Euro 2000 final, against Italy, went down in history as one of the finest finals. Delvecchio gave Italy the lead, but with seconds ticking away, Sylvain Wiltord scored to take the game into extra time. Late into the first half, David Trezeguet scored a golden goal, and the French had created history- they were both World and European Champions.

Euro 2004 will be chiefly remembered for Zinedine Zidane masterminding a late comeback against England in the group game between the two sides. The French reached the quarterfinals, but were upset by little known Greece, with Angelos Charisteas scoring the only goal of the game.

Current team

Raymond Domenech is spoilt for choice. Sebastien Frey has been brilliant in goal for Fiorentina this season, and it will possibly be a toss up between him and Gregory Coupet. At left back, Domenech has Abidal and Evra, with Sagna, Sagnol and Clerc competing for a spot on the right. Thuram and Gallas will be his first choice pairing in central defence, with the likes of Squillaci providing backup.  Strangely enough, Phillipe Mexes has never really found favour with Domenech, and this time around too, the Roma centreback may find himself ignored. Ribery, Florent Malouda and Rothen will compete for a spot on the wings. Jeremy Toulalan, a nominee for Ligue One young player of the year, will fight it out with Patrick Vieira and Claude Makelele in midfield. Upfront, Henry and Anelka will form his first choice pairing, with Karim Benzema and Samir Ben Nasri waiting on the side. Louis Saha is too injury prone, and it remains to be seen what decision Domenech takes with Trezeguet, Govou and Cisse.

If France could win the first co hosted European Football Championship, why can't they do it this time too ?

Allez Les Bleus !

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