The season is over but international duty isn’t

By: Inara | May 30th, 2007

Ligue 1 ended last Saturday, but 25 Lyon players (including three on loan and five from OL Feminines) still have games to play, this time shedding their club jerseys to represent their countries for Euro 2008 qualifiers, African Nations Cup qualifiers, friendlies, the Copa America, and youth tournaments, as well as the Women’s Euro 2009 qualifiers.

Random factoid: only one player on Lyon’s current roster has not represented his country: Fabio Santos. The 30 other players are internationals at either the youth or adult levels. OL ladies (French champions this year) also feature seventeen internationals at various levels.

And people wonder why Lyon buy so many players. Without a deep squad, no way they would make it through even three months of Ligue 1, with all the internationals and cup competitions the players take part in. They won’t get much rest either, as summer training begins July 2nd, with an Asian tour at the end of that month.

France vs. Ukraine (6/02/07) and France vs. Georgia (and 6/06/07): Gregory Coupet, Francois Clerc, Eric Abidal, Sebastian Squillaci, Alou Diarra, Jeremy Toulalan, Sidney Govou, Florent Malouda, and Karim Benzema, as well as Lyon and France NT fitness coach Robert Duverne (note: Sylvain Wiltord was not called up this time).

Denmark vs. Sweden (6/02/07) and Sweden vs. Iceland (and 6/06/07): Kim Kallstrom

Wales vs. Czech Republic (6/02/07): Milan Baros

Belgium vs. Portugal (6/02/07) and Kuwait vs. Portugal (6/05/07): Tiago

Switzerland vs. Argentina (6/02/07): Patrick Muller

Copa America (6/26/07 to 7/15/07): Fred

Cape Verde vs. Algeria (6/02/07) and Algeria vs. Guinea (6/16/07): Nadir Belhadj, Yacine Hima (on loan to FC Aarau)

France U21s vs. Romania U21s (6/01/07): Hatem Ben Arfa, Remy Riou (on loan to Lorient)

Tournoi de Toulon (5/31/07 to 6/09/07): Loic Remy and Sandy Paillot

Feminines – France vs. Slovenia (5/30/07) and Iceland vs. France (6/16/07): Sonia Bompastor, Sandrine Dusang, Laure Lepailleur, Camille Abily, and Hoda Lattaf (note: Sandrine Bretigny was not called up this time).

Anthony Reveillere and Cris are once again sadly overlooked by their NTs (France and Brazil, respectively).

Category: Internationals, OL Féminines, Team News and Rumors

Tags: Internationals, Lyon, OL Féminines, OL Ladies, Team News and Rumors

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Comments  

• Joffrey |  May 31st, 2007 at 12:58 am

  
  
  

  I really DO NOT understand why Cris isn’t in Brazilian NT !!! When I see how unsteady brazilian Denfense is, and how “Cop” Cris do his job in all the 90 minutes oh the match… That seems to be a joke !

  Posted from France

  

• Corey |  May 31st, 2007 at 5:31 am

  
  
  

  I thought Yacine Hima had been sold, I dont think he ever made a 1st team appearance for Lyon, the same with Sylvan Idangar, youth products of Le Guens first year in charge. Hooray for Ben Arfa and Remy Riou, as well as Loic and Sandy Paillot??? Who is he, I dont know much about Lyons youth setup because I can read French.
  As for Cris, I do not understand it, he is solid and chips in with goals from set pieces, what more could you want. Even Cacapa has never played for Brazil, it does not make much sense to me, yet they are still the most talented nation in the world.

  Posted from United States

  

• Inara |  May 31st, 2007 at 6:48 am

  
  
  

  Cris is far better than most Brazilian defenders called up by Dunga, but apparently he has a bad reputation from his days in Brazil (he scored several own goals). However, in his three years at Lyon, he’s been exemplary. I would think Dunga would overlook the past for current form, but I guess not.

  Posted from United States

  

• Thomas |  May 31st, 2007 at 7:56 am

  
  
  

  I always wondered too why Cris wasn’t called to play for Brazil. Zidane had said after the match against Lyon 2 years ago (to be verified) that he was the best defender in Europe…and he has always played well in Champion’s League. Parreira used to take Cris though he was a substitute but perhapps dunga and he aren’t getting on this well…

  Posted from United States

  

• Corey |  May 31st, 2007 at 11:45 am

  
  
  

  Dunga is like Van Basten, he picks the players that will work for his system, so sometimes the best players are not always picked, even the star names. i wouldnt make much of the copa america squad list, its the wc2010 squad call ups that matter, but Cris may be what 34 by then so he may just be bogged down by his reputation as a brute, not a skillful player.

  Posted from United States

  

• Inara |  May 31st, 2007 at 1:07 pm

  
  
  

  Apparently, Cris scored an own goal during a Brazil-Argentina match, and it turned out to be the match winner.

  Ouch.

  Oh well. At least he stays fresh for his club!

  BTW, Fred left for Brazil without the club’s permission. I wonder what’s going to happen.

  Posted from United States

  

• Corey |  June 1st, 2007 at 5:01 am

  
  
  

  He was called up for the Copa, so i dont think there is much malious in it, he probably just wants a break before that starts and eats away at his holidays.

  Posted from United States

  

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