France will take nothing for granted

France are the only team in qualifying Group D destined for this summer's FIFA World Cup but their technical director Gérard Houllier refuses to treat the section lightly. Opponents Bosnia and Herzegovina may never have been to a major championship yet they were only denied a ticket to South Africa in the play-offs, while Romania are familiar rivals to Les Bleus from recent campaigns.

Gérard Houllier, France technical director 
It's not as easy as it looks. Romania are a tough team with improving young players. Safet Sušić is the Bosnia and Herzegovina coach; I coached him at Paris Saint-Germain, we won a title together, so a little touch of fate there. I know the Belarus coach very well as I went there recently. Albania and Luxembourg are countries that love France, but it is never easy to beat them. Luxembourg beat Switzerland in Switzerland. We know Albania can be tricky over there. I have a lot of respect for those teams and they can be tough stadiums to play at. The group is harder than it looks.

Razvan Lucescu, Romania coach
I wanted to avoid France so in this respect the draw is a little unlucky for us. We played them recently and although the results weren't bad [2-2 and 1-1 draws in FIFA World Cup qualifying] there was enormous pressure attached to those games. This could be the most difficult group, although it is balanced and a number of teams have an opportunity to cause a surprise. Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Belarus, have both made big strides. Do I leave Warsaw happy or sad? I will leave thinking about this group.

Safet Sušić, Bosnia and Herzegovina coach
I think we were lucky. France are one of the teams we hoped to draw from pot 1 and they will be favourites as they have such great players. I believe we'll fight with Romania for second place, although the other teams shouldn't be underestimated. Belarus and Albania are able to surprise anyone and the competition will go to the wire. Before the draw I wanted to avoid Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands, but you cannot have a weak team from pot 1. Playing against France will be personal as I spent some years with Paris Saint-Germain. I think I have a squad that can make a dream come true and get Bosnia and Herzegovina to the finals.

Bernd Stange, Belarus coach
We are lucky not being in the same group as Spain, Italy or England. These three are the strongest in Europe, although we cannot underestimate France. I'm pleased for the Belarusian fans who will see star players like Franck Ribéry, Thierry Henry and Samir Nasri. At the same time I'm not happy to be drawn with Romania, Albania and Luxembourg – we played these teams in EURO 2008 qualifying and it would be better for our fans to see other sides. Bosnia and Herzegovina, though, have a good group of players who play for great clubs. Edin Džeko and Zvjezdan Misimović are stars any club in Europe would want. Our goal is to finish top two.

Josip Kuže, Albania coach
It's a tough group. I didn't want to play Croatia, but now I see every game will be difficult. Belarus, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, are the teams we'll need to be most careful of, while France and Romania are the favourites. We will be prepared for the challenge.

Guy Hellers, Luxembourg coach 
We are always the outsiders. France are, for us, for all our amateur players, a top team and playing them will be an experience we will never forget. We have nothing to lose. We will give our all in every match, as we have for many years, and approach these games not with fear but respect. Maybe the other teams will not be so motivated when they play Luxembourg – then anything can happen.