French media relieved after Les Bleus win at last

PARIS, June 24: French media were relieved after Les Bleus finally grabbed a berth in the last 16 of the World Cup but are still not convinced of their true potential.

''That feels good'', was the main headline of sports daily L'Equipe today after France beat Togo 2-0 in their last group match.

''It's done'', said Le Parisien on its front page.

''France save their skin and invite themselves to third week by the back door,'' commented Le Figaro.

France needed to beat Togo by two goals to avoid an early exit after drawing 0-0 and 1-1 with Switzerland and South Korea.

They finished second behind the Swiss in Group G and will next play Spain in the second round in Hanover on Tuesday.

''The minimalist Bleus have done the minimum but they have done it. What a relief,'' wrote L'Equipe in its front page editorial.

''Les Bleus had to wait for an hour to score two goals... We shall wait for a few more days until Tuesday to see if they are up to what we can expect from a French World Cup team... Spain will be a different opponent than Switzerland and Togo.'' ''...the saviour is named (Patrick) Vieira,'' said the sports daily referring to the midfielder who on his 30th birthday scored the first goal and set up Thierry Henry for the second.

The Juventus player was handed L'Equipe's best mark, 7.5 out of 10. Winger Franck Ribery was awarded 6.5, Henry six and the lowest mark, 3.5, went to fullback Mikael Silvestre.

Reuters