Part 21 of 32: The French Interview
Brian Priddy joins us from France for part 21 of the series. Brian was born in the States but has been living in France for 15 years, and his life as a football supporter starts from a couple of years after that. What was at first just a replacement for baseball or gridiron has now become his great sports passion. Nothing can compare with “the beautiful game”, Brian says. And he is right!
I thank Brian for agreeing to the interview.
Tell us a bit about the French football history and the football culture which exists.
France is a much greater sporting country than their record might indicate. The modern olympics, the champions league and the world cup were all dreamed up and instituted by the French! This great love of sports is spread over several disciplines: rugby, basketball, cycling, even fencing, sailing and judo get big sports page coverage, but except for the rugby-loving southwest, football is king.
Tell us a bit about the Road to the World Cup – the qualification, and the emotions the fans went through at the time.
Even after the retirement of so many of the heroes of 1998, the team looked great on paper, and confidence was high. But as the qualifiers went on, doubts arose. France wasn’t losing, but had only draws against the real opponents in the group, and by September 2005, our backs were to the wall. That’s when Zidane, Thuram and Makalele decided to come back. Besides their talent and experience, they brought faith. The hard-won victory in Dublin that turned things around was a relief, but wasn’t really a surprise. Not qualifying didn’t seem possible!
What style of football does the national team play?
Balanced. Players like Zidane and Henry are second to none in technique, but there’s lots of physical and athletic ability too. the French style combines technique with blistering pace down the wings and stern physical presence in duels.
What do you think your country’s prospects are at the World Cup?
For the first time in years France goes into a tournament without being tagged favorites, and for good reason: they simply haven’t impressed! But four years ago the same was said about Brazil, while France looked like shoo-ins. The great thing about football is that it’s not played on reputation or on paper but between 4 white lines, over 90 minutes, and France at their best this summer could be better than any except Brazil.
Who will be the most important player for your country?
Zidane. France is a good team even with a pale replica of the great Zizou. But if the real thing can show up in our important matches, we can be great.
Which player in your country’s side would you most like to get rid of?
Of the players who have been capped repeatedly lately, Boumsong has impressed the least, and he’s taking a spot Gallas should fill.
Who are the players to watch from the other countries?
Ballack; I’ve seen him play like he really couldn’t care less, even for the Mannschaft, but in a WC at home he’s going to shine bright. Kaka; If they’re there, Totti and Rooney.
What will be your excuse in the event of failure?
Excuses? Since we’re not favorites we won’t need any. But if we lose it will be because of tension between the old guard and the rest of the squad. If the old ones can really lead on the field everything will be accepted. If not, their weight in squad selection and in the changing room will be bitterly resented.
Have you got the right manager?
Domenech was the perfect manager for the task he had when he was chosen: rebuild an aging team. (He had coached a lot of these players in U-21). In the present situation he may not be the best man for the job, and I wish he had formed a more coherent squad before now, but the criticism being heaped on him now serves no purpose. We have to get behind him.
What advice would you give him?
Give Coupet the nod, and tell the old ones they can like it or lump it, it’s not their team.
Which team do you most want to beat?
Perhaps Italy. maybe that’s a cruel streak in me coming out!
Which opposition player will get the most stick?
Van Nistlerooy because what goes around comes around. He doesn’t seem to be imbued with a great sense of sportsmanship to me!
Where will you watch the matches?
At home, but maybe at a big open air screen if we make the Final.
How keenly will the World Cup be followed in your country?
Besides France’s matches, only moderately, but when les bleus are on, the country will come to a stop.
Who will be the player of the tournament?
Hopefully Zidane. It will be his last and greatest hurrah.
Who will win the Golden Boot?
Ronaldinho.
Which team will disappoint the most?
The USA will play the farthest below their FIFA rating, but I don’t think that’s a surprise. England seems to me the country whose hopes are the most inflated; they seem to think they’ve got a worldbeating side but so much of their squad is just average! Lampard and Gerrard are very good, but they’re not gods, and without Owen or Rooney England will struggle.
Who will be the surprise team of the tournament?
Ivory Coast. They have such talent, and after losing the CAN final and getting drubbed in a friendly against France, I think they’ll have the humility and determination to show up 100%. They are the greatest hope for a country that has very little right now, that’s tremendous motivation.
Finally, Who will win the World Cup?
France! If I said otherwise would I really be a supporter?
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I hope you enjoyed part 21. Follow up questions for Brian can be e-mailed to me. Also, feel free to contact me if you would like to be interviewed or know a friend who would like/could be interviewed. Specific questions for specific countries which might pop in your mind in due course may also be sent.
For the rest of the interviews, check out the World Cup interview series page.
Tags: FIFA World Cup 2006, Football Interview Series, France.
