France take familiar approach

The FIFA World Cup runners-up will attempt to go one better this summer after coping admirably with the retirement of Zinédine Zidane to qualify from a difficult group. France coach Raymond Domenech has opted for continuity since the campaign in Germany two years ago, with the absence of Zidane representing one of few personnel changes.

Coupet chance
Another, the retirement of Fabien Barthez, has opened the door to Grégory Coupet who, aged 35, will finally get the chance to shine at a major tournament. The Olympique Lyonnais goalkeeper should be well-protected by a vastly experienced back four of Willy Sagnol, Lilian Thuram, William Gallas and Eric Abidal.

Captain Vieira
Robust defending has been the cornerstone of Les Bleus' recent success, as their record of five goals conceded in 12 qualifiers suggests. The continued presence of two of the game's finest holding midfielders, Patrick Vieira and Claude Makelele, certainly helps – and if the former missed much of qualifying through injury, the latter enjoyed more playing time than anyone. Vieira will captain France if fit.

Record scorer
Domenech relies largely on a 4-4-2 formation, switching only occasionally to 4-2-3-1. Franck Ribéry and Florent Malouda are now fixtures on the right and left wings and Thierry Henry is a guaranteed starter in attack. The country's record marksman – he went into 2008 on 44 goals, three more than Michel Platini – will be partnered either by Nicolas Anelka, who caught the eye in 2007 and scored four times in qualifying, or by Lyon's exciting 20-year-old Karim Benzema.

Talented tyros
Two more emerging talents have forced their way into contention as France's next generation comes to the fore. Olympique de Marseille starlet Samir Nasri could feature in the Zidane role should Domenech opt for Henry as a lone frontrunner, while Lyon's left-winger Hatem Ben Arfa, 21 in March, has made a promising start to his international career. The versatile Sidney Govou provides useful cover.

Post from: www.en.euro2008.uefa.com

Final ball rolled out in Vienna

The specially-designed silver ball that could make or break the dreams of a nation went on show in Vienna today as the official ball of the UEFA EURO 2008™ final, the adidas EUROPASS gloria, was handed to UEFA President Michel Platini by adidas AG chairman and CEO Herbert Hainer.

Created exclusively
The state-of-the-art ball, created exclusively for the climax of the tournament in the Austrian capital on 29 June, shares the classic black dots and markings of the EUROPASS ball to be used in the run-up to the final. However, a number of innovations made by adidas, suppliers of official match balls to major FIFA and UEFA tournaments since 1970, make the EUROPASS gloria - like the final itself - a one-off.

Coveted trophy
The 'gloria' in the ball's name echoes the fame and glory which the winner of UEFA EURO 2008™will experience, while its shimmering silver surface incorporates the coveted Henri Delaunay trophy, as well as images evoking the past European champions that the two teams will be hoping to emulate at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion.

Know-how
Style was not adidas' only concern however, and they have called on all the know-how and experience garnered from 35 years of manufacturing footballs to produce the EUROPASS gloria with the same cutting-edge technology used on the EUROPASS, which should allow players involved in the UEFA EURO 2008™ final the chance to show the full range of their skills.

Unique structure
The 14-panels of the EUROPASS gloria have been joined using revolutionary Thermal Bonding Technology, which - along with the unique PSC-Texture™ surface structure - ensures exceptional ball control, greater power transmission, swerve and accuracy, whatever the weather.

Post from : www.en.euro2008.uefa.com

Celestini brings the stars to Geneva

Switzerland midfielder Fabio Celestini will invite an all-star cast to play in a friendly game in Geneva on 21 April for his '4-4-2' children's foundation.

Friendly fixture
The 32-year-old, who is currently playing for Getafe CF in Spain, will line up an all-star XI to play against a team of former Olympique de Marseille players at the Stade de Genève. The proceeds will go towards the '4-4-2' foundation as well as helping to build an artificial pitch and buy sports equipment at FC Renens, the club where Celestini started his career.

Key values
"We want to use football to transmit values like integration, respect, enjoyment and education," explained Celestini. Among the projects the match will benefit, is one which will send equipment to a football school based in Cuba supported by the United Nations cultural foundation Unesco. "Receiving a pair of boots or a shirt is always a pleasure for children," said Celestini.

Star guests
Among the stars who Celestini has persuaded to take to the pitch in Geneva are Eric Cantona, Stéphane Chapuisat, Michael Laudrup, Bixente Lizarazu, Jean-Pierre Papin and Zinédine Zidane. "This has been an idea of mine for quite a few months," said Celestini who hopes that the stadium will be full, with the excitement building ahead of UEFA EURO 2008™.

Posting from www.euro2008.uefa.com