France fans pessimistic, poll shows

PARIS, June 10 (Reuters) A vast majority of French fans would be surprised if France were to become world champions for the second time.

A poll conducted by the Ifop institute showed 66 per cent of the 1,003 asked believed the 1998 champions would not go all the way in the World Cup finals in Germany.

The poll, to be published by tomorrow's newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche, showed 69 per cent wanted newcomer Franck Ribery to start France's opening match against Switzerland on Tuesday in Stuttgart.

South Korea and Togo are France's other opponents in Group G.

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