Continental France is partner of the French National Team since the beginning of 2004. Beside of boardings at the home games of the team we can use a special partner signet for promotions. In addition to that Continental France is using the tickets available for game visits together with business customers and journalists. In parallel to the start of this very attractive team sponsoring Continental France has reduced the intensity for the very successful sponsorings of Olympique Lyon.

Great international careers end as a rule after big tournaments. It was no different in the Grand Nation’s case. Football authorities, coaches and fans have to resign themselves to the fact that there will be changes every two years. But do the changes the French are experiencing have to be so radical? Bixente Lizarazu, the little terrier on the left side of the defence, Lilian Thuram his pendant on the right, Marcel Desailly the rock in the defence, the defensive midfielder Makelele, who elegantly cleaned up the supposedly dirty work in the middle of the park, they all retired after the European Championships 2004 in Portugal. And then “Zizou”. The magician, the genius whose two goals in the final against Brazil gave France their first FIFA World Cup™ in 1998. Most saw it coming but when Zidane actually uttered the words that put an end to his career in the Equipe Tricolore, it nevertheless came as a shock.

They combined tactics, art, and strength and were considered favourites for the 2002 FIFA World Cup™ in South Korea and Japan. But they were on the way back home after the group matches. A part of the blame could be put on Zinedine Zidane’s left thigh, which caused problems during the tournament due to a torn muscle suffered only just previously. But the explanation was a little bit too simple for the Equipe’s fans. “South Korea was a nightmare,” said Zidane.

Things were not right in the team. Freshness was lacking, there were only occasional flashes of brilliance, the team spirit was showing signs of wear and tear. However, the painful European Championship elimination was more than just a bad day at work.

“France are the top favourites,”  said the German team coach Rudi Völler just before the start of EURO 2004. Only two months previously, the former Olympique Marseille striker had seen his team get taken apart in the Arena in Gelsenkirchen. The French strolled to a 3-0 win. The victory again masked the weaknesses observed during the qualifying competition. A rude awakening followed in Portugal.  Two moments of brilliance from Zidane rescued a win against England, against Switzerland the team struggled to a 3-1 victory. And then the Blues could only draw 1-1 against Croatia. Elimination came in the last 16 against Otto Rehhagel’s team of journeymen, who were slightly ridiculed prior to the tournament. Greece, the eventual European champions, won 1-0.

The schooling in the football academies sets an example all over Europe. There is a big number of promising young players. The fans just need a bit of patience.

That the team is going through a process of radical change has been made obvious by the first 2006 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying matches. Though the two away games against the Faroe Islands and Cyprus both ended in 2-0 wins, at home against Israel and Ireland the team coached by Raymond  Domenech were unable to put the ball in the back of the net. In spite of the mediocre results and a few stumbling performances, the French association’s officials are standing by the national team coach, who has called up and tested a large number of new players since taking office in July 2004.

France is one of two countries to have competed at every FIFA World Cup™ since 1930. The team got through the qualifying stage on eleven occasions and the Grand Nation will do everything in their power to get to Germany. Great eras begin as a rule at major tournaments.