tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361787.post-1087956676197425282004-06-22T19:11:00.000-07:002004-06-22T19:11:16.196-07:00June 21, 2004 <br /> <br /><strong>Group B 2:45 PM Switzerland 1-3 France </strong> <br /> <br />They didn’t impress doing it, but France qualified for the quarterfinals by beating a Swiss team that had more holes in it than a horse trader’s mule. France, coming off an unconvincing 2-2 draw with Croatia, controlled the match through steady build-ups and short passing down the flanks. Pires stretched the Swiss defense but he wasn’t aided by Trezeguet and Zidane, who managed to look like tourists on a day trip rather than vital components of the vaunted French team. <br /> <br />With nothing to lose the Swiss chased the French around the pitch, winning free kicks and earning several set pieces. Hakan Yakin looking dangerous on several occasions and forcing some remarkable saves from Barthez. As the match warmed up in the first half Trezeguet latched onto a Thierry Henry cross and managed to get off a shot that resulted in a corner. Henry was just getting started and minutes later he zoomed past Liverpool defender Stephan Henchoz (who looked like his boots had been nailed to the pitch). Henry was definitely looking sharper but not necessarily sharp. Trezeguet was looking decidedly blunt. <br /> <br />It took 20 minutes but finally the France scored. A corner kick found its way onto Zidane ever-receding hairline putting France up 1-1. Just when France looked to take control the game, the Swiss cuckoo clock struck. A sloppy pass from Silvestre (his second glaring mistake of the tournament) gifted an opportunity to the 18-year-old Swiss striker, Vonlanthen, who I’m sure the Swiss will soon make Count Von Lanthen. Vonlanthen stole Wayne Rooney’s record as the youngest ever goalscorer in the European Championships, Vonlanthen being three months younger than Rooney. Rooney instead will have to settle for being the top scorer of the tournament thus far with four goals. <br /> <br />With the game leveled at 1-1, the French looked for answers but found none. The class and style that had seen France win the previous European Championship wasn’t there. Instead it was the case of eleven frustrated Frenchmen hoping the Swiss would deflate like a flan in a cupboard. The Swiss fought gamely, but eventually succumbed in the 76th minute to a masterful flick from Louis Saha and a lovely piece of finishing from the French maestro Thierry Henry. The partnership of Henry and Trezeguet was highly touted prior to the tournament but apparently it’s quickly turning into “The Thierry Henry Show”, perhaps co-hosted by Louis Saha. Trezeguet has failed to impress and I would imagine there are concerns at Juventus. Henry’s goal left the aging Swiss keeper Thiel flummoxed and within minutes a red-hot Henry struck again. 3-1 France. <br /> <br />No one expected much from the Swiss but it should be said that they gave France a run for their money but were ultimately dispatched by the class of striking ace Thierry Henry. <br /> <br /><img src="http://www.soccernet.com/images/jb2/piresblur_get350.jpg"> <br />Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01174010124017319084noreply@blogger.com