Germany vs. France: Road Win in Friendly Bodes Well for French Squad's Future

France sent an emphatic message to the rest of the soccer world on Wednesday by beating Germany. They are not only improving from a dismal showing in the 2010 World Cup but are now a real threat to win at Euro Cup 2012 and even at the 2014 World Cup. 

This club has been on a tremendous roll since their unceremonious dismissal in 2010, but Wednesday's win gave France great reason to be encouraged. 

Just two days ago, French coach Laurent Blanc told the Associated Press that his squad still has a long way to go before being a real threat on the world stage. 

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You need a lot of time to establish your way of playing, a lot of time to put a playing style into place. You can talk about it all you like but it's the most difficult thing to do...Our game is less developed than Spain, Germany or the Netherlands, that is a certainty.

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That is no longer a concern. Both squads entered the contest short-handed, but that is part of playing a friendly. France took the German crowd out of the game early, dominating the action. The fact that Germany was kept out of the net until the game's final minutes tells you France doesn't take a backseat to them. 

France now carries a ton of momentum into the summer, as they haven't been downed in 18 consecutive matches. If they can go in to Germany and beat a team like this one, they can beat anyone at a neutral site. 

That is what is so impressive about this win. Reading what Blanc said in the days leading up to this match, you would have had a hard time picking France to win. Sure, they were looking good, but the memories of South Africa are hard to shake, and that was a dismal performance, especially when compared to some of the top squads in the world. 

All of a sudden, it is clear that they emphatically belong on that stage. If you don't believe me now, wait to see what happens when it comes EuroCup time. The hottest club in the world will be at full force and an absolute favorite to win the whole thing. 

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