After a disastrous World Cup campaign in 2010, the French scraped into Euro 2012 courtesy of topping one of the weaker qualifying groups, where they edged Bosnia and Herzegovina for the top spot. But as the Euro nears there is a feel-good factor around the squad once again, with players motivated to play as a unit than focusing on individuals.
Laurent Blanc's team, which lost just once in 10 qualifying games to top the group, now relies on a younger set of players in Adil Rami, Yann M'Vila and have some stars name such as Samir Nasri and Frank Ribery. The goal-scoring responsibilities will fall upon the shoulders of Karim Benzema, the young Real Madrid striker, who has been in superb form in La Liga.
France are a work in progress after all the changes brought about by the South Africa debacle, and although Blanc has done a reasonable job in steadying the ship. Les Bleus find themselves grouped together with England, Sweden and Ukraine. With England first up, a victory over them would see the French take a huge step towards winning the group.
The attack line will be led by Ribery, Nasri and Benzema - three men who have goals in them - but the biggest worry for France is their defence. The coach will have to make do without left back, Eric Abidal, who recently had a liver transplant, as well as his counterpart on the right, Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna, who suffered a fracture while playing for the English club. The likes of Mathieu Debuchy and Laurent Koscielny will play at the centre of the defence and the left-back position will be either given to Gael Clichy or Patrice Evra.
The bench strength will also be a worry for France as less experienced faces will have to fulfill the role. Olivier Giroud helped fire Montpellier to the French title, while Marvin Martin (Sochaux) and Yann M'Vila (Rennes) delivered plenty of eye-catching performances but this will be a different ball game.
If this group of French stars can avoid the in-fighting which scuppered the team’s chances in South Africa, Euro 2012 could prove to be a valuable learning curve. And if they pick up some momentum in the group stages, there could even be an early bonus. Though they are not favourites, France have it in them to go all the way.
France squad:
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Olympique Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Girondins Bordeaux).
Defenders: Gael Clichy (Manchester City), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Philippe Mexes (AC Milan), Adil Rami (Valencia), Mathieu Debuchy (Lille), Anthony Reveillere (Olympique Lyon.
Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Samir Nasri (Manchester City), Alou Diarra (Olympique Marseille), Yann M'vila (Stade Rennes), Marvin Martin (Sochaux), Blaise Matuidi (Paris St Germain).
Forwards: Hatem Ben Arfa (Newcastle United), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Olivier Giroud (Montpellier), Jeremy Menez (Paris St Germain), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique Marseille).
Recent Euro performances:
2008 - Eliminated bottom of group
2004 - Eliminated in quarter-final
2000 - Winners
1996 - Eliminated in semi-final
Keep an eye on: Karim Benzema, Frank Ribery, Laurent Koscielny
Prediction: The team still looks divided, though things are improving for Laurent Blanc's men. If they can play to full potential, a spot in the semis looks well in reach.
Fixtures:
June 11, 2012: France vs England, Donetsk
June 15, 2012: France vs Ukraine, Donetsk
June 19, 2012: France vs Sweden, Kiev
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