France confident to avoid repeat of 2002 fiasco

PARIS, Jun 2 : France, in a much better mood than before their 2002 World Cup fiasco, are determined to restore pride in Germany and their recent form suggests they might.

A goalkeeping spat and negative headlines have failed to spoil the atmosphere in the French camp and several players have said they have a much better feeling than before the previous campaign.

''I don't want to talk about the past too much but I can say things are different,'' midfielder Patrick Vieira said this week.

''There is an excellent atmosphere in the team. This is a new group with many new players. We're starting a new adventure and we all believe it will be a great one.'' What Vieira and company want to avoid at any cost is what happened in 2002 when France, then the defending champions, were sent packing after failing to win a match in the group stage and could not even score a goal.

From the outside, French preparations for this World Cup have been all but smooth.

Coach Raymond Domenech argued with his reserve goalkeeper, Gregory Coupet, who cannot accept being number two behind Fabien Barthez.So upset was Coupet that he briefly left France's camp in the French Alps last week before deciding to return.

''It's easy to understand Greg's frustration,'' said defender Lilian Thuram.

''It's a good thing it happened early in our preparations.

Had it lasted, it could have got worse and damaged the atmosphere in the squad.''

Reuters