The Guardian | Saturday July 1 2006 9 World Cup Brazil v France France draw on memories to reinforce new freedom defeated the favourites back in 1998. Six thing changed in the blink of an eye. I had balon d’or winners in their side [Ronaldo Veterans of Paris final meet members of the current France squad a right go at Marcel for letting me down, Vieira’s rallying cry and Ronaldinho], you’re already beaten.” again and Les Bleus are were involved, in the side or on the bench, though only between friends. There is a sense that France, having that day with the same number of Brazil- “It was disappointing because I’d Patrick Vieira last night warned there ground out a passage from the group, are buoyant after rediscovering ians retained in Carlos Alberto Parreira’s featured in the six games up to then and was more to come from France as steadily recapturing the mystique of that best form against Spain squad. There have been meetings in the I’d hoped to contribute to us actually they set about knocking out Brazil in World Cup winning side. “Getting out of Confederations Cup and in Fifa’s Centen- lifting the trophy, but the fact that we won the quarter-finals tonight. the group freed us up,” said Thuram, now nial match since but this is the re-match it made up for everything. I was only 20, France demonstrated their quality his country’s most capped player and fea- Dominic Fifield Frankfurt that has been wildly anticipated. so it wasn’t as if it was the end of my with the 3–1 defeat of Spain in the turing in his 119th international this France have had to live up to the repu- career or anything. Can we use that as second round and Zinédine Zidane, evening. “As soon as you reach the knock- tation they forged for themselves on that inspiration in Frankfurt? Well, all matches so instrumental against the Spanish, out stage, a whole new competition opens Mention Brazil and the veterans of the night in Paris ever since, with their failure are different but a lot of the players are trained last night and will be fit to up. We raised our game when we were most glorious day in French footballing to make any impact in the defence of their the same and it’s all still so fresh in the start against the world champions. confronted by a good side like Spain. history slip gracefully into nostalgia with trophy when Brazil became champions memory. But they’re world champions “We’ve surprised a lot of people after There was no fear in our play. But Brazil a smile. “It was as if I was living in a dream four years ago weighing heavily even now. this time.” the group stage but we knew from are much stronger than Spain. Their start- from start to finish, from the moment the Yet, for those who were there, the mem- They were then, of course, too but the start that we had the quality to go ing XI is incredible but, in football, the team bus left Clairefontaine to the second ory of St Dénis and the wild celebrations Brazil are also a team steadily finding their a long way in this tournament,” favourites don’t always win.” the referee blew his whistle,” said Lilian along the Champs Elysées that victory feet with Ronaldo, ill overnight and dis- Vieira said. The Brazilians will be aware of that Thuram, recalling that heady day at the provoked can now serve to inspire. tinctly off colour throughout that finale, “We all believe that we can achieve much. Overwhelming favourites in 1998, Stade de France a little under eight years “That whole occasion was extraordi- now established as the World Cup’s lead- more. We can do better than we are they were trounced in Paris, athough they ago. “It all seems a bit of a blur. It didn’t nary, a moment to savour,” said Thierry ing overall scorer and still a potent force. doing now. Brazil are one of the could shudder just as much at the painful feel real but we lifted the World Cup, in Henry, an unused substitute that day but “Ronaldo is always dangerous,” added favourites for this competition and memories of the 1986 quarter-final meet- France, with our friends and family in the attempting to make amends this time Henry. “I know he’s been criticised beating them would be a huge step ing in Guadalajara. Back then Brazil were stands. An incredible day.” around. “It was disappointing, frustrat- recently but as far as I’m concerned he’s towards winning the World Cup. profligate and France prevailed on penal- In Frankfurt tonight Brazil and France ing. I remember [the coach] Aimé Jacquet an incredible player and if you give him a When a team attacks like they ties. “They dominated that game, we meet for the first time in this competition telling me: ‘Get ready, you’re going on in sight of goal or space in which to acceler- [Brazil] do, they will leave space sometimes don’t acknowledge that, but since two headers from Zinédine Zidane, five minutes.’ I was off down the touch- ate he’ll punish you. He’s a threat. But, if behind and that is something we we went through,” added Henry. still integral to Les Bleus, and a late line warming up just like that but then you go out on to the pitch thinking about need to exploit.” Dominic Fifield France would take more of the same Emmanuel Petit goal ensured the hosts Marcel [Desailly] was sent off and every- the five stars on their shirts and the two tonight. Scenes from 1998: Aimé Jacquet holds the trophy, then clockwise from top, Didier Deschamps trips Rivaldo; Ronaldo at the finish; Emmanuel Petit hits the third; Zinédine Zidane after his second Peter Turnley/AP Wary Parreira warns Brazil not to underestimate Gallic guile Alex Bellos Frankfurt Madrid forward — who impressed as a sub- Brazil v France 8pm ITV1 Quarter-finals left in the tournament and Parreira stitute in the first two games — has an out- believes this experience means that the side chance of replacing Adriano along- game would be like chess. He said Brazil’s coach Carlos Alberto Parreira side Ronaldo. Again the team will not be Venue Waldstadion Referee L Medina Cantalejo (Sp) matches 3 Y18, R2, 6.66 cards per game Weather 24° Zinédine Zidane was still a huge threat, admitted last night that his team needed announced until an hour before the game. Odds Brazil 5-6 France 7-2 Draw at 90 mins 9-4 Radio Radio 5, Talksport Warm and clear despite his age. “If you give him the space, to step up a level if they want to beat Parreira paid tribute to French football Brazil Dida Match pointers the freedom, he can make the difference, 1 France this evening. After four games in by saying that, alongside Brazil, France are Manager Carlos Alberto Parreira Lucio Juan • Brazil have won a record 11 still he can make the difference.” Fifa ranking 1 successive matches at the which Brazil have been victorious but the team with the most individual talent Subs from Gilberto Silva, Robinho, 2 3 4 6 World Cup finals, stretching Lucio has yet to commit a foul and, if hardly convincing, the coach said he was at the World Cup. “All of their players are Rogerio Ceni, Cicinho, Luisao, Cris, Cafu Roberto Carlos back to their 2–1 win over he continues for 23 minutes more, he will Gilberto, Mineiro, Juninho Pernambucano, Emerson Zé Roberto Turkey in their opening match very aware of the dangers France pose. the stars of their club teams,” he said. Ricardinho, Fred, Julio Cesar 5 11 in 2002. break the record for a defender, currently “France are in no hurry to play,” he But he was quick to dismiss the idea Doubtful None 8 10 held by the Paraguayan Carlos Gamarra. Injured None said. “They have very experienced play- that the game was a revenge match for the Kaka Ronaldinho • Their last defeat in the Parreira confirmed he was very pleased Suspended None 9 7 competition was against France ers. They don’t rush about. They have this 1998 defeat in Paris, saying that would be Ronaldo Adriano in the 1998 final. with his back three. “Our defence is well apparent calmness and then all of a sud- the case only if the teams were meeting in positioned. In four games we have made France 12 • Since the 1998 final, the den they move the ball quickly to the final. He did point out, however, the Manager Raymond Domenech Malouda Henry Ribéry teams have met twice, France only one mistake, against Ghana [when] [Thierry] Henry. We can’t allow ourselves continued danger France pose from dead Fifa ranking 7 7 10 22 winning 2-1 in the semi-finals Dida made a great save from a corner.” Subs from Landreau, Dhorasoo, Vieira Zidane Makelele of the 2001 Confederations to be hoodwinked by this. This is a phase balls — two of the goals in that 3–0 defeat Govou, Wiltord, Silvestre, Saha, Diarra, Cup before a goalless draw in a Another record highlighted by the 4 6 in which errors are not permitted. We are were from corners. “Lilian Thuram, Will- Trezeguet, Chimbonda, Coupet friendly in 2004. Brazilian press was that the day before Abidal Sagnol hoping for a jump [in quality].” iam Gallas, Patrick Vieira are tall and head Doubtful None yesterday was the one-year anniversary Injured Givet (illness, July 2) 3 5 15 19 • France have been caught Brazil expect Kaka and Emerson to start well.