Zidane Feels Good - And It Shows
BRUGES, Belgium, June 25 (Reuters)(DS) - Zinedine Zidane said he was feeling great after looking exactly that way as he inspired France to a hard-fought 2-1 win over Spain on Sunday for a spot in the semifinals of Euro 2000.
"I'm 28 and I'm at the peak of my powers," said the gifted playmaker after offering an outstanding display two days after his birthday. "I'm feeling really good. Let's hope it will continue."
Not only did the Juventus player put the world champions in the lead with a superb 32nd minute free kick -- his 14th goal for France in 57 appearances. France's number 10 also orchestrated play with mastery throughout an exciting game. He was at the heart of every move the French made, demonstrating his unique skills and vision.
"When we don't know what to do with the ball, we just give it to him and he works out something," said wing back Bixente Lizarazu, summing up how vital Zidane is to his team. The 1998 European Footballer of the Year -- who may well win the award this year again if he helps France go all the way -- simply did everything right.
AWESOME
"Zizou, Zizou," chanted the French fans in the Bruges stadium after he danced passed three Spanish players to set up a perfect cross -- which found no takers -- in one of the highlights of his awesome performance.
"He really is exceptional," said striker Christophe Dugarry, a close friend of Zidane since the two played together for Bordeaux. "Sometimes you want to stop playing just to watch him."
Zidane's showing naturally drew comparisons with another French hero, Michel Platini, who was equally brilliant and also scored from a free kick in another great victory over Spain, in the 1984 European final.
But everything almost went awfully wrong for France on Sunday, Raul firing a penalty kick over the bar in stoppage time. "We were getting ready for extra time," said Zidane. "It would have been tough for us, but for them as well, and I think we were fresher. But looking at the whole 90 minutes, I think we
deserved to win."
The quiet, almost shy, son of North-African immigrants became a French monument when he scored two headed goals in the 3-0 defeat of Brazil in the 1998 World Cup final at the Stade de France.
But there could be more to come for the kid from a tough Marseille suburb turned soccer star as another triumph is only two matches away. "I think we're even stronger than we were two years ago," he said. "We've had two years to mature and we've got several talented strikers now."
But Portugal, who take on France on Wednesday for a place in the final, will be well aware that their opponents' most lethal weapon remains a balding phenomenon wearing the number 10 shirt.
