Emotional farewells in France

Despite being without David Trezeguet for their final friendly against Ukraine before UEFA EURO 2004™, French fans have plenty to whet their appetite on the eve of the Stade de France encounter.

Spotlight shared
The match has been arranged to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the French Football Federation but the spotlight will be shared by centre-half Marcel Desailly, whose display will be his last at the stadium where France won the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Full-back Bixente Lizarazu could also be making his farewell appearance.

Santini cautious
Trezeguet injured his right ankle in a training-ground collision with Michael Landreau on Friday and a scan revealed the Juventus FC striker will be out of action until the middle of next week. Frustrated France coach Jacques Santini said: "An MRI scan revealed that France's saviour at [UEFA] EURO 2000™ would have to rest for three or four days. We always have to pay attention to injuries."

'I'll be back'
Desailly was in positive mood ahead of his 116th cap. "It will be my last appearance at the Stade de France with Les Bleus," he said. "But I will return after retiring to back my friends." Lizarazu hinted that he may only be back in a spectating capacity when he said: "There is an possibility that I will retire from football after EURO 2004™. Even if this is a slight one, I cannot rule it out."

Zidane vow
French fans will recall with unease a disappointing last warm-up ahead of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan, when the French side lost to Belgium and set off for a disastrous campaign in the Far East. Zinedine Zidane vowed there would be no repeat performance on Sunday when he said: "Against Ukraine, we will see a big French team."