Big Three await a shot at glory

It is this second miracle that is catching the eye now, possibly because, with the departure of the South Americans, France play closest to Brazil8217;s style; possibly because Thierry Henry, universally acknowledged as a great club footballer, is finally reproducing some of that form for his country.

But it wouldn8217;t have been a miracle without the contributions of the team8217;s three elder statesmen: Zinedine Zidane 34, Claude Makelele 33 and Lilian Thuram 34. The three returned en bloc to the national team last August after a year8217;s retirement in the wake of a disappointing Euro 2004; now, having undertaken an unwritten pact to recreate the past, they are fuelling France8217;s progress in that direction.

Zidane8217;s contributions are well-known: A goal of sublime quality against Spain, turning past Carlos Puyol, in the second round was followed by an assist from football heaven for Henry, a deep, deep free-kick which only those two players seemed to know about.

Yet the contributions of Makelele and Thuram are equally significant. If France have conceded only two goals in five matches, it is because Makelele 8212; not called Lord Claude without reason 8212; is keeping the opposing team8217;s playmaker on a tight leash and because Thuram, with William Gallas, is closing down whatever gets through.

These three have provided the springboard for the younger players; Henry has found his touch again and the new star, Franck Ribery, is now a fixture in the team. Even Patrick Vieira is back to his Arsenal best playing alongside Makelele.

What is more surprising is that France have found their rhythm despite obvious tensions within the team and between Zidane and Domenech. The captain and the coach have had strong disagreements over tactical formations, and within the team Henry has been publicly critical of Franck Ribery. But there8217;s no better unifier than a winning streak and France, after those two mind-numbing draws at the start of this World Cup, have only grown in style, flair and confidence of course, they could hardly get worse.

France8217;s task on Wednesday will not be an easy one; Portugal are tougher than Brazil and, though less talented, will have their hugely inspirational playmaker Deco back in the fold. They have already noted France8217;s weakness down the flanks and will hope their two wingers, Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo, can exploit those chinks. They are young, they are hungry.

They are also inexperienced at this level of the game. Five of the players who line up for France on Wednesday have World Cup winner8217;s medals.

And the Big Three, whose combined age crosses 100, will be waiting for the chance to recreate the past.