Imago
Domenech praises pens
France coach Raymond Domenech has come out in favour of penalty shootouts the day after FIFA supremo Sepp Blatter called them "a tragedy". Domenech saw his side beaten from 12 yards by Italy in the World Cup final, but insisted they were "not a lottery, b
"It is a simple technical act. At this level, everybody can do it in training, all the pros can put ten out of ten into the top corner," said Domenech.
"But after two hours of playing, with that responsibility, it's something else. You see who the guys with bottle are in those moments.
"Great players have missed them. Also, when you are a spectator it's good, it's stressful, there is suspense."
Yesterday, Blatter suggested that teams should play golden goal extra time, with players gradually removed to create space and goalscoring chances.
After watching his side go down 5-4 from the spot in Berlin, with David Trezeguet missing the vital kick, Domenech suggested that the side who scored first should win in the event of a draw.
Zinedine Zidane opened the scoring for Les Bleus - ironically with a penalty - before Marco Materazzi equalised for Italy.