France's old stagers hungry for one last hurrah

HAMELIN, Germany, June 28 (Reuters) With ageing legs but soccer instincts still razor-sharp and plenty of class still in the tank, France believe they can go all the way to the World Cup final.

''We're old but we're still smart,'' coach Raymond Domenech said after Les Bleus used shrewd tactics and a couple of clever moves on their way to a 3-1 win over Spain yesterday for a place in the last eight.

Relying on several players past their prime but still exceptionally talented, France patiently waited for their chances and downed the Spaniards with two late goals.

Now they face Brazil, whom they beat 3-0 in the 1998 final at Stade de France, and will have to accept being underdogs in Saturday's game in Frankfurt.

''We will have to play even better to stand a chance but I believe we can because that team can adapt to the opposition and raise the level of their game,'' Domenech said.

France were indeed a lot more convincing against Spain than they had been in dismal draws with Switzerland and South Korea and then in a 2-0 win over modest Togo in their Group G decider.

Brazil will be a tougher proposition with the likes of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Adriano and Kaka but that does not mean Les Bleus have no chance.

''All the teams in the quarter-finals are capable of going all the way and every match now will be a small final,'' Domenech said.

''We're getting closer to our goal, which is to be in the final on July 9. We feel that something's happening.'' PERFECT TIMING Maybe not as fast as when they ruled the world, France nevertheless produced one of their most convincing performances in the last six years.

''The France team had not been as good as that for a long time,'' acknowledged striker Thierry Henry.

''We were a great team tonight (Tuesday). We believed in ourselves and fought like lions. That's what made the difference.'' France, who had looked sluggish in their previous outings, stepped up a gear with perfect timing, Franck Ribery cancelling out a David Villa penalty before late goals from Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane saw them through.

Zidane, who will retire after the finals and realises any match now could be in last, looked nervous at times before showing his class with a superb goal in added time.

''Retirement? I'm sorry to tell them (the Spaniards) that it won't be after this match,'' Zidane said. ''The adventure continues.'' Whether France can trouble a Brazil side blessed with such talent remains doubtful but a least yesterday's burst of pride provided Zidane with a chance of making a decent farewell.

Not only Zidane, now 34, but also Lilian Thuram, Fabien Barthez and a few others might bow out when France eventually leave the World Cup.

When that will be remains unclear. Soon enough, however, the curtain will fall on the finest generation ever to wear France's colours. They have done enough already to suggest they would leave the stage in style.

REUTERS PDS VC1501