France ready for war, says Abidal

HAMELIN, Germany, June 9 (Reuters) France defender Eric Abidal believes the World Cup is more than simply a soccer tournament.

''We're warriors in this team and the World Cup is a war,'' Abidal told reporters on Friday.

''It doesn't mean you have to hurt your opponents. It just means you have to make it clear to them that they're not going to win,'' he added as he prepared for Tuesday's Group G game with Switzerland in Stuttgart.

The 26-year-old Abidal has won only eight caps and has never played in a major competition.

''When I'm on the pitch I always give 100 percent, never less,'' said Abidal, who featured in Wednesday's 3-1 warm-up win over China.

''My duty is to make sure nobody enters the box and nobody scores.'' Left back Abidal made headlines when his club Olympique Lyon started a legal battle with world soccer's ruling body FIFA after he fractured his left foot during a 3-2 friendly victory over Costa Rica in Martinique last November.

Lyon were furious because Abidal was out for five months but the result is that he is fully fit here while others are exhausted after a gruelling season.

''It's true I'm fresher than other players because I did not play for a long time,'' he said.

France also face South Korea and Togo in the group.

''Some don't believe in us but we're competitors,'' Abidal said.

''We did not come here to play three matches and go home.'' REUTERS PR KN2319