France make a splash in Sarajevo

Julien Faubert's wife dived into the family swimming pool fully clothed to celebrate her husband's first goal for France in their 2-1 win in Sarajevo.

Unusual celebration
With coach Raymond Domenech having made significant changes from the squad that lost out in the 2006 FIFA World Cup final, Faubert - one of the new faces - scored a late winner against Bosnia-Herzegovina to trigger the rather unusual celebrations back at home. "She was watching the game on television with my son - I thought about them when I scored and that was an intense moment," said the 23-year-old. "I expect that she jumped into our swimming pool. It was a bet between us: if I scored for Les Bleus, she had to take the plunge."

Good atmosphere
"It's a perfect start for me but it's just a goal and I missed chances before it went in," added the FC Girondins de Bordeaux winger, who was standing in for Franck Ribéry. "But I felt great during the whole trip. Everyone has been helping me. The coach talked to me a lot as did the more experienced players." Faubert may have grabbed the headlines, but Domenech will be delighted with the way that his whole squad slotted into his 4-4-2 formation. Rio Antonio Mavuba looked a natural replacement for Claude Makelele in the anchor role with the veteran still considering whether to quit international football.

Ready for competition
"Fitness can still improve but that's no surprise and not a problem and we are mentally ready to face competition action," said Domenech, who was taking charge of his 29th France game in Sarajevo, two years after leading his side to a 1-1 draw against the same opposition in his first match with Les Bleus. Bosnia-Herzegovina had led through Sergej Barbarez before goals from William Gallas and Faubert won the day for France. "It was a far from easy game," admitted striker Thierry Henry. "However it was ideal preparation for what we will be up against in [France's first UEFA EURO 2008™ Group B qualifier] in Georgia."