France look to former glories

By Christian Isnard

Having won the UEFA European Under-18 Championship on four occasions, the last in 2000, Jean Gallice's team are keen to claim the U19 crown for the first time as they travel to Northern Ireland for this summer's final tournament.

Notable names
France last ruled Europe at this age level five years ago, when a side featuring the likes of Djibril Cissé, Bernard Mendy and Gaël Givet triumphed. Since this tournament was reclassified as an U19 event ahead of the 2001/02 season, however, France have not had the same impact. They fell at the first hurdle in autumn 2001 - comfortably defeating San Marino and Albania only to lose to the Netherlands in their group decider.

Liechtenstein disappointment
The following season, France enjoyed better fortune in the qualifying round, scoring 14 goals without conceding to beat Luxembourg, Albania and Russia. They then overcame Israel and Poland before drawing with Spain to progress from the Elite round on home soil, yet disappointed in the Liechtenstein finals by drawing with the Czech Republic and Austria either side of a defeat by England to finish bottom of Group B.

First hurdle
In 2003/04 France failed to progress from the qualifying round again, as a 2-1 reverse against Ukraine in the final round of matches condemned the French to third place in their section. Nevertheless, hopes are high for the 2004/05 vintage, who have lost only once - to Group B opponents England in a friendly in November 2004 - in 14 outings and eliminated holders Spain in the Elite round. Lining up in a 4-4-2 formation, their main quality is their fighting spirit, with eight of their eleven wins this season coming by a one-goal margin.

Key players
Aside from the English, France will be reunited with Armenia in Northern Ireland, whom they edged out 2-1 in the qualifying round last September thanks to goals from Montpellier Hérault SC defender Cédric Cambon and midfielder Yohan Gourcuff of Stade Rennais FC. Of the squad for the finals, a number have already appeared in their clubs' senior sides with the most experienced being AJ Auxerre centre-back Younes Kaboul, who played 12 Ligue 1 games last term and three UEFA Cup matches. LOSC Lille Métropole midfielder Yohan Cabaye appeared ten times in the top flight and UEFA Cup, and recently signed a contract extension with the French runners-up. The main source of goals is Paris Saint-Germain FC's Franck Dja Djé Djé, who spent the campaign on loan at Ligue 2 outfit Stade Brestois 29. The striker, born in the Ivory Coast, has registered seven times for the U19s.

Best performance in UEFA European Under-19 Championship
Group stage 2003

Honours in UEFA youth competitions:
UEFA European Under-16 Championship
Runners-up 1996, 2001
UEFA European Under-17 Championship
Winners 2004
Runners-up 2002
UEFA European Under-18 Championship
Winners 1983, 1996, 1997, 2000
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Winners 1988
Runners-up 2002

Other honours:
FIFA U-17 World Championship
Winners 2001

For France's U19 team page, click here.