Sacre bleu, it was the ballboys' fault France lost

THE French could have found several reasons for their first defeat in a qualifying match in seven years after Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Scotland at Hampden Park.

Thierry Henry's close-range header straight into the arms of Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon would be one. Another would be the offside decisions against David Trezeguet and Patrick Vieira, who both found the net but had their 'goal' disallowed. And what about that poor Scottish weather?

But bizarrely, France coach Raymond Domenech pointed the finger at a more unlikely source as the dust settled at Mount Florida. It was the ballboys wot done it.

"I was disappointed with the ball boys for slowing down the game," said Domenech. "I think they may have been educated in that. It's regrettable that it was here in a country known for its fair play."

The French players proved more magnanimous in defeat, but the message seemed a clear enough one as they ambled through the 'mixed zone' area having spoken to reporters - wait until we get you back to the Stade de France.

The return match in Paris in March next year has already been ringed in red ink by those French players who saw their reputations count for nothing in Scotland. As the wind howled and the rain began to swirl around a packed ground, comparisons with the night 17 years ago when Scotland last defeated France were all too easy to make.

Back then a brace from Mo Johnston in the driving rain earned Andy Roxburgh's side a famous victory, but seven months later in Paris the Scots were well beaten by three clear goals.

But it didn't matter in the long run, with Scotland still qualifying ahead of France for the World Cup finals in Italy.

This time, however, there remains a lot of football still be to played and France are not resigning themselves to anything after only three matches.

"I knew it would be like this here," said Henry, who later instructed a Scottish journalist to show him "more respect". An initially jocular exchange had soured over the issue of whether the result would be regarded as shameful back in France.

"It is the same as when we play away from home with Arsenal," continued the Arsenal striker. "Long ball, long ball. I am surprised James McFadden did not get upset because he can play.

"Sometimes you lose when you shouldn't but the game is all about winning. I knew this would be the most difficult group of them all.

"I am not upset. I would be upset if we were out-played and out-muscled, or if we didn't turn up."

"I am not trying to understand why Scotland won. The fact is they won 1-0. Congratulations to Scotland, but why should it be shameful for France?

"Anything can happen in football. Scotland won and I am delighted for them. We will see what is going to happen in Paris. I will see you all in Paris."

Elsewhere in Scotland's group, Italy returned to their efficient best with a 2-0 victory over Ukraine in Rome.

It was the Azzurri's first win since Roberto Donadoni took over as coach. Italy had opened their qualifying campaign in Group B with a 1-1 draw with Lithuania and a 3-1 loss to France.

Italy were grateful to an inspired performance from keeper Gianluigi Buffon who made a string of saves to ensure the first clean sheet of Donadoni's tenure before a 71st-minute penalty by Massimo Oddo broke the deadlock.

Luca Toni also gave an impressive performance in his first international since the World Cup final in July. The Fiorentina striker scored twice in the 3-0 win over Ukraine in the World Cup quarter-finals and was again on target on Saturday, grabbing Italy's second goal with a dipping shot from outside the area.

"It's obviously a team that brings me luck," he said. "I was pleased for Donadoni, who has been going through a tough period, like all of us."

Toni's strike partner Alessandro Del Piero warned, however, that Italy could not afford to get complacent in the run-up to their next qualifier away against Georgia on Wednesday. "We deserved the win, but we need to win on Wednesday to keep up," he said.

In Torshavn, a last-minute goal from former Dunfermline defender Andrius Skerla gave Lithuania a 1-0 win over the Faroe Islands, who showed a vast improvement on their pitiful 6-0 capitulation at Celtic Park against Scotland.

Skerla finally broke the stubborn resistance of the Faroes, heading in a corner from Mindaugas Kalonas.

Taken from the Scotsman