French forwards in full swing

The build-up to France's participation in the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Championship focused mainly on the absence of Djibril Cissé, the star of their qualifying campaign, because of his call-up to the senior squad for FIFA World Cup duty. However, those who reckoned that Les Bleuets would be fatally weakened by his absence reckoned without the Olympique Lyonnais duo of Sidney Govou and Pegguy Luyindula.

Demoralised defence
Govou scored an exquisitely opportunistic opener and Luyindula carved open the defence for the second as France overwhelmed the Czech Republic 2-0 in their opening match of the U21 final tournament in Switzerland. Luckily for the overworked Czech keeper Petr Cech and his demoralised defence, Govou only lasted the first 45 minutes; unluckily for them the deadly duo needed only the opening half to give France the perfect start in the competition.

Riches up front
When France won the World Cup in 1998, it was said that they succeeded without any strikers such was the scant contribution of Stéphane Guivar'ch et al. Four years later, France's forward riches are such that Nicolas Anelka and Steve Marlet will be kicking their heels this summer. And in Govou, the French league player of 2001/2002, and club colleague Luyindula France have a precocious pair that would not look out of place alongside Zinedine Zidane and Patrick Vieira.

Defenders bamboozled
Govou's goal stemmed from him charging down a defensive clearance. He then raced clear of his pursuers and roll a perfectly placed shot past Cech. Luyindula's run for France's second saw him cut inside from the right wing and bamboozle four defenders before he laying the ball off for Oliver Sorlin to apply the finish.

Fancy footwork
To extend the comparison with Roger Lemerre's senior side, Govou and Luyindula are more Henry and Henry than Henry and Trezeguet. Devastatingly quick, they also possess a delicate touch, all feints, flicks and fancy footwork.

Increasingly influential
The pair dovetailed delightfully throughout. After 19 minutes Govou raced to the by-line and pulled the ball back low for Luyindula, who showed fine technique to keep his shot down only for Cech to save. And they worked well with playmaker Steed Malbranque, who was increasingly influential as the game progressed, and Sorlin, who found himself on their wavelength after a slow start.

'Good to dream'
Coach Raymond Domenech did not refer directly to Govou and Luyindula after the match, except to mention that one of his main tasks ahead of the game against Greece was to get Govou recovered from the knock he sustained in the first half. Domenech added: "I also have to bring the team back down to earth. It is good to dream but we have to think of the Greeks next."

Physical presence
Domenech also praised the team's physical presence and ability to retain possession. Central defenders Jean-Alain Boumsong and Jérémie Brechet certainly impressed with their presence - showing why Boumsong's AJ Auxerre colleague Philippe Mexes, the French league's outfield player of the season, only merits a place on the bench with their complete subjugation of the Czech attack. The aforementioned Malbranque, at the hub of every French attack in the second half, epitomised their ball retention with his intelligent passing, while raiding full-back Anthony Réveillère, Sorlin and Mathieu Berson confirmed that this is no two-man team. And even should Govou not be fit for the match against Greece, Pierre-Alain Frau, especially with one audacious volley that the impressive Cech turned over after 57 minutes, showed himself an able deputy.