Euro 2012: Olivier Giroud Makes Case to Start for France This Summer

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at Internationaled.org

Published: May 29, 2012

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The heralded "1987 generation" consisting of Jeremy Menez, Hatem ben Arfa, Karim Benzema and Samir Nasri—all born in that year—shared the bulk of the praise following Sunday's France—Ireland friendly.

The friendly in Valenciennes marked the first time those four had shared the pitch together at the senior level, and their potentials were on full display.

Ben Arfa, Benzema and Nasri engaged in a mesmerizing bit of link-up play on the edge of the area at the end of the first half, resulting in Nasri playing Benzema through to goal with a neat, Arsenal-esque pass. It resulted in Benzema firing venomously at the keeper.

Yet for all their prodigy in the attacking third, it was another attacking player who ended up making the greatest impression in the eventual 3-2 victory for Les Bleus.

Olivier Giroud was born one year ahead of that heralded generation (Sept. 30, 1986), and while he was not in the side populated by those now famous names who won the 2004 U-17 European Championships, he is well on his way to rivaling them for notoriety.

Giroud led Ligue 1 last season with 21 goals, helping lead Montpellier to its first-ever L1 title. A move to a continental power is expected later this summer, with Arsenal emerging as the latest club to express interest in acquiring his services.

If he adapts to his next club with the same alacrity he's shown in his initial appearances for the French national team, Europe could be in for a barnstorming season from the man who was plying his trade in the French second division as recently as the 2009-2010 season.

Giroud earned his first call-up to Laurent Blanc's side last November ahead of friendlies with the United States and Belgium. He made his first appearance in the national colors against the U.S.



Blanc had spoken of Giroud's qualities then, calling him an "atypical striker," and said that he enjoys having a player o...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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