Benzema backing Tafer and France
Monday, May 12, 2008
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Karim Benzema helped France to U17 victory four years ago and is tipping Les Mini-Bleus to do it again this week according to current top scorer Yannis Tafer.
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Top scorer
Four goals in three games from Tafer have helped France to second place in Group B and a Tuesday semi-final with hosts Turkey at the Mardan Sport Complex. Benzama has been a keen viewer, and although Lyon's failure to wrap up the Ligue 1 title at the weekend has scuppered his plans to fly out to Antalya to watch his U17 successors, Tafer revealed that the recently-named French Players' Player of the Year is in regular contact with his young club-mate.
Benzema friendship
"I have talked to Karim Benzema, a very good friend of mine, and we spoke about his experience four years ago," Tafer told uefa.com. "Karim has been watching the games on Eurosport. He wanted to come here for the semi-finals but Lyon have not yet won the title so it is not possible. If Lyon had won the title he would have come. Karim said that, from what he has seen, France have the best team and the potential to win the European title."
Lyon loyalty
Tafer, along with equally hotly-tipped squad-mate Clément Grenier, recently signed professional terms with Lyon, and he sees his future at the Stade de Gerland. "I don't have any ambitions outside Lyon," Tafer said. "They are my club, I love Lyon, and I take the example of Karim Benzema, who took everything step by step, and I'd like to do the same."
In form
These finals represent the latest step in his development, and it has come as no surprise to Tafer that he is outscoring every other players at this tournament by at least two goals, having registered in all the matches so far. "I have had good statistics at my club this season, 25 goals in 18 games, so I arrived full of confidence," he said. "When I scored the first goal I knew everything would come right."
Turkey challenge
To emulate Benzema's feat and lift the trophy on Friday, France must get past Turkey at the Mardan Sport Compex tomorrow evening. "I am expecting a very tough game," Tafer said. "It will be very difficult, we are trying to prepare ourselves for the home supporters. We expect a good atmosphere. In football you have to make sure you are stronger mentally than your opponents so it is important to be well prepared, and we feel strong."