France favored in Croatia match

Web posted July 8, 1998

By Raf Casert
Associated Press

SAINT-DENIS, France -- France has known nothing but frustration in its long World Cup history. Croatia has known nothing but stunning success in the one tournament it's entered.

Which of these streaks will end in the semifinals tonight probably will depend on which of two ironclad defenses cracks first.

France, which dreamed up soccer's world championship in the Roaring '20s, never has reached the title game. It also is seeking to become the first host nation in 20 years to reach the final, but has lost its scoring touch along the way.

Croatia, which gained independence only seven years ago, already has surpassed whatever modest expectation it had to reach the final four in its very first try. Unburdened by pressure, it has improved game by game and is within one win of a shot at being the first World Cup rookie to win the title since 1934.

The Croatian presence in the semifinals is arguably the biggest event in the nation's history since it broke away from Yugoslavia. Players, coaches, fans, even President Franjo Tudjman have talked of soccer success giving the nation an identity.

And their team has looked very good.

In this coming-of-age game against Germany, a 3-0 win last Saturday, Davor Suker personified Croatia's play with deft skills and lethal finishing, showing that newcomers can have the cool heads of veterans.

Suker believes Croatia has the edge because it will be fresher for the semifinal than France, which needed a sudden-death overtime goal to down Paraguay in the second round and penalty kicks to overcome Italy after a scoreless draw in the quarterfinal.

``This is our advantage,'' Suker said. ``They will feel that more and more with every minute the game goes on.''

French forward Youri Djorkaeff conceded: ``They have the wind in their sails.''

Yet, France is considered the favorite.

For one thing, the French have the crowd behind them. The nation of 60 million has slowly but surely woken up to the prospect of winning the Cup, and with every game the pulse of France has quickened.

At the Stade de France today, the vast majority of the 80,000 fans will be rooting for ``Les Bleus,'' dressed all in royal blue for this match of majestic proportions.

Home advantage would seem a formidable help, but no host nation has won the Cup since Argentina in 1978.

Three times before, France's World Cup run ended in the semis -- in 1958, 1982 and 1986.

This French team, though, has shown great confidence throughout the tournament, and with a defense like it has, who wouldn't.

Led by Marcel Desailly and Laurent Blanc in the center, and Lilian Thuram and Bixente Lizarazu over the wings, it has conceded only one goal so far, a penalty shot against Denmark. The defense is tall and tough in the middle and quick on the wings to counter deep moves by opponents.

It seems the only person not impressed with the French defense is Croatian coach Miroslav Blazevic. He calls it ``not that strong'' and ``vulnerable.''

France's defensive midfield features Didier Deschamps and Emmanuel Petit tirelessly working to feed playmaker Zinedine Zidane.

It is up front that the problems lie. Everything works perfectly until the ball has to be put into the net. There, everything has stalled for the last two games.

The sudden-death winner against Paraguay last week was scored by Blanc, a defender.

The situation is so bad that forwards such as Djorkaeff are driven to bold predictions.

``I know I will score. I feel I will score against Croatia,'' he said.

For other strikers, only the result counts.

``It doesn't matter if I don't score. The most important is the defense and the title,'' Stephane Guivarc'h said.

Croatia hasn't allowed a goal through a 1-0 second-round win over Romania and its demolition of Germany, with Igor Stimac, Slaven Bilic and Dario Simic providing a rock- solid base.

The heart of the team is captain and central midfielder Zvonimir Boban, who may be less elegant than Zidane, but who also spreads the ball around with great efficiency.

Wingers Mario Stanic and Robert Jarni keep play open wide as much as possible with deep runs providing space for Boban and the forwards.

Suker already has four goals and can equal or surpass the top scoring of the tournament -- five goals by Christian Vieri of Italy and Argentine Gabriel Batistuta -- with two games to go.

``They have great individuals,'' French coach Aime Jacquet said.