World Cup: France has to guard itself against euphoria

Even FIFA president Sepp Blatter joined the bandwagon Monday, praising veterans like Zinedine Zidane who helped France win its first title in 1998.

Photo: World Cup: France has to guard itself against euphoria

Little wonder coach Raymond Domenech has to keep his players from getting too confident.

Even though the team was expected by few to get this far, Domenech now has all eyes focused on Wednesday's match in Munich.

Portugal, with its distinct Brazilian flavor, has plenty to worry the French.

Brazilian-born Deco and defensive midfielder Costinha return after sitting out the quarterfinal win over England because of suspension.

And Portugal's Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is riding a 12-game unbeaten streak at the World Cup.

France has a half-dozen players including Zidane on a yellow card. Picking up a second would mean missing the final in case of qualification.

And Portugal has a reputation for playing passionate games.

When the two sides met in the semifinals of Euro 2000, it ended in chaos and fighting following a last-minute penalty that gave France a 2-1 win.

And considering most of Portugal's matches at the World Cup so far, Domenech knows what to guard against. In five matches, Portugal's opponents have combined for 21 yellow and four red cards.

Barely a month ago, Domenech and his team were booed and whistled off the field at Stade de France, where they won the World Cup eight years earlier, after a bad warmup match against Mexico and Parisian fans thought they were ready for another first-round exit. In South Korea four years ago, France did not score a single goal and became the first defending champion not to survive the opening round.