Team: FRANCE

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Vieira will miss the opener against Romania but will remain with the squad.
channel4.com - Football Italia

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Vieira Out Of Euro 2008?

France may be dealt a huge blow ahead of their Euro 2008 challenge, as reports are circulating that Patrick Vieira will be ruled out of the tournament with a muscular injury. Mathieu Flamini has been called up to act as the 24th man until a definite decision is made on whether to send Vieira home...

Goal.com

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France have passed their general test ahead of their first Euro 2008 match.

They beat Columbia 1-0. Goalscorer: The Franck Ribéry, from penalty.
(Match report: Goal.com - Internationals - France End Warm-Up On A High With Colombia Win)

Still not a good result though. Seems they're still not there at 100%.

Typical France though, they are always like this.

Awesome attack, billions of chances, and yet, they hardly manage to score one.

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Ribéry: We Want To Win

After France’s 1-0 victory over Colombia dynamic midfielder Franck Ribéry told French television of the side’s desire to win the European Championships…

Once again one of the leading lights in a French team that is failing to wow their support Franck Ribéry proved the match winner against Colombia. The Bayern Munich winger calmly dispatched his penalty kick into the very corner of the net after 25 minutes of play.

Speaking after the game to French television station TF1 Ribéry noted that he had taken a slight knock to his ankle but said he would “look after himself and be ready for Romania.”

Central defender William Gallas has already spoken of the side’s desire to succeed in the tournament and Ribéry simply reiterated this point.

“I think that everyone knows our ambitions; we want to win the European Championship. There are many teams that also wish to win it. It will not be easy.”

France take on Romania next Monday in Zurich as they attempt to reclaim their European crown. With the Netherlands and Italy to follow the German League’s Player of the Year knows the importance of a strong start to the competition.

“It will be necessary to start this competition well against Romania, to take the three points against a good team. I feel good. There is a good squad and a nice atmosphere.”

Goal.com

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Vieira Optimistic About Recovery

Patrick Viera says he is optimistic about his fitness for the European Championships, even though he's been ruled out of France’s opening Group C match against Romania with a thigh injury.

The captain of France, Patrick Vieira, has offered an upbeat assessment of his fitness prospects with the Euro 2008 tournament due to kick-off on Saturday.

Vieira had been expected to be available for Les Bleus’ final two group games, but there were concerns that his injury problems could wreck his hopes of participating in the tournament at all.

However, the Inter Milan midfielder has revealed that although he has a “little tear” in his thigh muscle, he is hopeful it will not affect his involvement in France’s campaign this month in Austria and Switzerland.

“It is nothing serious, but unfortunately it has happened at a bad time because every day counts now and the tournament is approaching,” said the former Arsenal and Juventus star on French TV channel TF1.

“Now, what I have to do is try to recover as quickly as possible. If by the end of the week I am not training with the squad, that would mean I will not be participating in the Euros. But I am still optimistic.”

Goal.com - Euro 2008 - Vieira Optimistic About Recovery

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Henry Enjoys Benzema Link Up

Thierry Henry has dropped a huge hint that he believes Karim Benzema would fit in well at Barcelona after stating that he had a great understanding with the Lyon forward.

The pair played together in the French team's friendly win against Colombia in midweek and the former Arsenal player was delighted with the way they gelled.

Barcelona have targeted Benzema this summer and are keen to make him their fifth and final new arrival after Gerard Piqué, Seydou Keita, Martín Cáceres and Dani Alves, and Henry would be be delighted if he moved.

"I noticed that between myself, Benzema and Ribéry there was a good understanding. We have combined well and created chances," the former Arsenal star said.

Benzema returned the compliments and said that he also felt comfortable alongside the two stars and believes that it is not difficult to raise your game in such exalted company.

"With Ribéry and Henry I have struck up an understanding and we did well going forward. They are great players and that makes it easier," he added.

Henry made his 100th appearance for France in the game and admitted that he had to work very hard to make it to the century.

"It is a marvellous thing, a reward for all my hard work. I do not think there are many forwards in the big national teams that have reached this figure," he explained.

Finally, Henry said that he understood that there were a few whistles for him after he failed to score and believes that a goal would quickly win the doubters back over.

"That has happened to me before and I know what can happen if you miss chances. When I have then played in games and scored everything changes," he concluded.

Goal.com - Barcelona - Henry Enjoys Benzema Link Up

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Henry And Ribéry Miss Training

French duo Thierry Henry and Franck Ribéry’s participation in training was cut short as a “precautionary” measure with both players aggravating existing injuries on Thursday.

Having trained for an hour with their teammates, Ribéry appeared to take a knock to his right ankle in a repeat of the injury he picked up in the friendly win over Columbia on Tuesday, forcing him out of the remainder of the session.

Barcelona forward Henry has struggled with a sciatic nerve problem and sat out the rest of the session in order to receive treatment.

French officials insisted, however, that the pair were not suffering from serious injuries and both are expected to line up for France in their opening Euro 2008 clash with Romania on Monday.

The nation’s mamager, Raymond Domenech, was handed an injury boost, however, as Patrick Vieira completed the full training session, though he will not feature in Monday’s game as he looks to regain full fitness.

Goal.com - France - Henry And Ribery Miss Training

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Inside 060608

Franck Ribéry and Thierry Henry have resumed the training with the French squad on Friday, and both are fit to play against Romania on Monday.

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YouTube - FRENCH NATIONAL TEAM BUS CRASHES AFTER LOST GAME VS ITALY

That just about sums up their Euros