France Soccer

Wow.  Disappointing.  France exits the UEFA Euro 2008 championship with a mere 1 point and at the bottom of Group C results.

Today’s match-up was excitement filled, but none of it positive for the French national soccer team.  It started with Franck Ribery going down with a tough injury only 7 minutes in, continued with Eric Abidal being sent off a mere 18 minutes later.  The Italians dominated most of the game, especially the opening half.  If Luca Toni was more precise for Italy, the game could have easily ended 4-0.

The French national soccer team got an old fashioned whoopin’ in their second UEFA Euro 2008 game versus Netherlands.  France soccer lost to the Tangerine machine 4-1.  France took 2 more shots than Netherlands, but its opportunities were not strong and only 47% landed on net compared with 80% for the Dutch.  Henry netted the only French goal in the 71st minute to make the score 2-1, but Robben immediately answered for the Dutch the next minute.  Sneijder put it further out of reach in the 90th minute.  France still has a chance to move on, but Romania must lose to Netherlands, who is already into the quarterfinals.

France tied Romania 0-0 in the opener of the UEFA Euro 2008 soccer championship.  The tie puts France in a tough position with Netherlands trouncing Italy 3-0 in Group C play.  The game was largely dull with neither keeper playing much of a role in the outcome.  Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry both sat out the game for France, which clearly put France in a different position than it would have liked.  France will surely need to draw points in their match-up with Netherlands on Friday.