France soccer team arrives in Switzerland ahead of Euro 2008 tournament
June 6, 2008
Soccer training begins for Les Bleus after landing in Geneva, 10 years after 1998 World Cup victory
The French soccer players, affectionately known in France as Les Bleus, arrived in Switzerland Wednesday in preparation for the Euro championship to be hosted by that country and Austria this year. The team touched down under stormy skies which diverted their landing from another airport, as well as clouds of concern over the readiness and health of certain French football players recovering from injuries.
After landing in Geneva under tight security, the French soccer team was transported by bus to their home base for the Euro tournament, the luxurious Hotel Mirador Kempinski, which sits on a hill overlooking the city of Vevey and the picturesque Lake Léman. The hotel was chosen for its isolation as well as for its luxury; it is accessible by only one road and has been closed to other visitors since June 1. Les Bleus attract heavy media attention and passionate fans wherever they go, and the choice of hotel should keep both under control. This was enough excuse for the soccer federation to spend 1 million euros on these accommodations for the French team.
Les Bleus will have their first official training match in Switzerland on Thursday afternoon at the Lussy stadium, which is at Châtel-Saint-Denis, a town neighboring the city of Vevey. The French soccer team’s first match will be in Group C against Romania, in Zurich. But there are fears that France’s soccer players will not all be on the field.
Patrick Vieira’s thigh tear has ruled the midfielder out of the team’s opener against Romania on Tuesday, winger Franck Ribery hurt his ankle in Tuesday’s 1-0 friendly win over Colombia, defender William Gallas says he’s only 70 per cent fit, and fullback Willy Sagnol also appears out of condition.
“The players are not at really at their top level, but there are still a few days left to get there,” striker Thierry Henry said. Coach Domenech has until June 8 to decide whether to drop Vieira, the team captain, from the tournament squad and replace him with Mathieu Flamini, who is a backup. Despite these fitness concerns, Henry remains confident Les Bleus can win the June 7-29 tournament. After the Romania match, France plays Netherlands on June 13 and Italy on June 17.
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