Croatia wary of upset
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ByEurosport
Published 29/01/2007 at 16:37 GMT
France have been tipped to upset tournament favourites Croatia in the pick of the quarter-final ties at the World Championship. Despite a stuttering group stage campaign that took in two defeats, Claude Onesta's French side are seen as a real threat to tu
HANDBALL 2007 World Champs 2007 France Day 7 France-Tunisia Narcisse Ayed
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"For me all the teams are favourites from the quarter-final stages onwards, but France are already a really good team," said Croatia coach Lino Cervar.
However, Onesta was quick to repay the compliment after seeing Les Bleus last eight opponents reel off seven straight victories.
"Croatia is my favourite, as they are the only unbeaten team up to now," he said.
The French came into the tournament behind only Croatia in the betting, but have failed to hit their stride.
Defeats to Iceland and Germany have sapped their confidence, and they were nearly turned over by Tunisia in their final group game.
After the narrow 28-26 win against the Africans, France player Jerome Fernandez admitted the team lacked focus because of the massive challenge awaiting them in the last eight.
"I would prefer not to dwell too much on that match because I imagine that everyone had their mind on the quarter-final against Croatia," Fernandez said.
While the Germans take on Spain - also in Cologne - the hosts' coach Heiner Brand has also backed France to emerge as overall winners.
Spanish boss Juan Carlos Pastor was reluctant to be drawn, but admitted everything was still very much up for grabs.
"I think the tournament is absolutely open," he said. "It depends from now on daily fitness, on mental and physical strength.
"However, I could imagine that of the eight remaining teams Germany and Croatia could be left standing at the end."
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