Sports in our modern society have become the opium of the people, somewhat like in the Roman civilization where emperors provided gladiator fights and chariot races to the citizens. Sports excite us and can bring smiles back to our faces. We all remember 1998 and the World Cup effect with the famous “Black Blanc Beur” France. In a gloomy economic situation, following the failures of the French team in 2002 and 2004, and the loss of the Olympics, we hope that through victories, French athletes will ease tensions.
What a great sports year it will be! Everything begins on January 16 in Melbourne with the Australian Open tennis tournament. A little yellow ball. An Australian summer. Always intense matches. We remember the 2005 semifinal between Roger Federer and Marat Safin, a man-to-man duel and dream-like tennis. This year’s duel will not happen due to Safin’s likely withdrawal. Who could stop the world number one Federer from lifting the trophy? Andy Roddick? Leyton Hewitt, the local favorite? David Nalbandian, the surprising Argentinian who knocked off king Roger at the Masters? On the French side, we will closely follow the performances of the two youngsters on the circuit: Richard Gasquet and Gaรซl Monfils. But we will especially keep an eye on the women’s draw with Amรฉlie Mauresmo and Mary Pierce, the tournament favorites. The tennis season will continue with Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Flushing Meadows, and on the French Riviera with the Monte-Carlo Masters Series starting April 17.
A week later, it’s time for rugby. The Six Nations tournament begins on February 5 with Scotland vs. France. The grand slam should play out in the last two matches with France vs. England on March 12 and Wales vs. France on March 18. The English will be keen to take revenge, having been defeated at home last year by just one point, 17 to 18. A year before the Rugby World Cup, the Tournament will help gauge the level of the French team and confirm their excellent performance in the autumn test matches.
In the meantime, our viewer’s eyes will travel to Turin where the Winter Olympics will be held. The spectacle begins on February 10 with the opening ceremony. Who will be the big names of this Olympiad? Bode Miller, Hermann Maier, Daron Rahlves among the skiers, Janica Kostelic and Anja Paerson among the women. In the French camp, obtaining 11 medals like in 2002 seems difficult unless there’s a skiing miracle: Carole Montillet, Frรฉdรฉric Covili, Antoine Denรฉriaz or Ingrid Jacquemod. We expect medals from Raphaรซl Poirรฉe in Biathlon, Vincent Vittoz in cross-country skiing, or why not Brian Joubert, or ice dancing couple Isabelle Delobel and Olivier Schoenfelder. Snowboarding, Freestyle Skiing, disciplines less known to the general public, will bring their share of medals as usual. The Winter Olympics are also an opportunity to see some great Ice Hockey games. And let’s not forget the housewives’ favorite event – curling! Long live the Games, long live sports, long live Olympism!
Tennis, rugby, and the winter Olympics for appetizers, football will once again be the main course with the World Cup in Germany from June 9 to July 9. 32 teams. Some newcomers like Togo (France’s opponent), Ivory Coast, Ghana, Angola, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine. Brazil is the favorite to succeed itself with Argentina, Germany, and England as main rivals. France will try to surprise. Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands are in the same rank as our blues. In 2002, South Korea and Turkey surprised. This year, one could bet on Ivory Coast if they make it out of their group, Mexico, or why not Australia with coach Guus Hiddink, who took the South Koreans to the semi-finals in 2002. Among the players, we’ll watch Ronaldinho, Lampard, Zidane, Ballack, Drogba… The revelations will be named Robben the Dutchman, Borghetti the experienced Mexican striker, Reyes the Spaniard… Answers on July 9. Meanwhile, predictions on the matches or players will animate enthusiasts’ gatherings.
The last major sporting event: the Tour de France. The riders will travel through France, of course, but also Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Belgium. Starting from Strasbourg on July 1 and finishing on the Champs Elysรฉes three weeks later. Who will succeed Lance Armstrong? The Texan having retired, it is difficult to identify a clear favorite. A list of outsiders and declared contenders includes Ivan Basso, Jan Ullrich, Alexander Vinokourov. Alejandro Valverde or Jaroslav Popovych, the two young cycling hopefuls, might also create a surprise. On the French side, only a very fit Christophe Moreau can aim for a podium in Paris.
We will soon return to the calendar of sporting events on the French Riviera.
Meanwhile, play the prediction game on our forum:
-Who will win the Six Nations Tournament?
-How many medals will the French get in Turin?
-Where will the French team finish in the Football World Cup?
-Who will be the world champion?
-Who will be the top scorer?
-What will be the revelations at the player and nation levels?
-Who will win the Tour de France?
-Can Roger Federer win Roland Garros?
-Can Richard Gasquet claim to finish among the top eight in the world?
