Ron Zennon announces international retirement

France captain Paul 'Ron' Zennon has announced his retirement from international football.

Zennon made his début in April 1996 was included in that year's EuroCup.

He also played in EuroCup 2000 and 2004, as well as CSA World Cups 1998, 2002 and 2006.

Group C: Hungary 0-1 France

Tuesday 17th June - CSA EuroCup 08 Group C
Olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne, Switzerland

France failed to qualify for the quarter-finals despite winning 1-0 against Hungary with the goal coming from Paul Zennon, which may prove to be his last appearance for his country.

Group C: Sweden 1-1 France

Friday 13th June - CSA EuroCup 08 Group C
Stade La Maladière, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Yann Bourgeois's strike cancelled out Ahmet Haminovic's opener as France drew 1-1 with Sweden.

Group C: France 1-2 Turkey

Monday 9th June - CSA EuroCup 08 Group C
Stade La Maladière, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Kemal Kubilay's double gave Turkey a shock win over France.

Sebastien Lacroix scored the consolation for Les Bleus.

France team guide

How did they get there: CSA Europe Elite League member.

Manager: Jacques Rougeville.

Captain: Paul 'Ron' Zennon. The 33-year-old has played in every EuroCup; a long haired 21-year-old made his France CSA debut in EuroCup '96. He has more than 120 caps to his name, and has unsurprisingly decided he will retire from internationals after this tournament.

Euro highlights: The 2000 2-1 final win over Spain, which was decided in sudden death extra time.

Euro legend: Lionel LaRoux, for scoring the golden goal winner in EuroCup 00.

Star player: Sebastien Lacroix, the Nottingham Fire striker has scored 26 goals since his début in 2002.

Strengths: Midfield. Rougeville usually employs a 5-man midfield with Christian Le Pen and Jean Michel Ramirez playing in the holding role. Ron Zennon and Yannick Bourgeois penetrate from the wings while Jean Paul Sanchez does his stuff in attacking midfield. Their responsibility is to pass it to the lone striker Seba Lacroix, and when Lacroix finds space, he usually finds the net.

Weaknesses: Arrogance. They are very arrogant especially the blue-haired full-back Marc Askowitz.

World ranking: 8th.

Our verdict: With Hungary, Sweden and Turkey in their group, you can expect France to go through but don't count your chickens. They can easily choke on the big stage as evident in CSA World Cup 2006 where they crashed out of the first round despite being in a relatively easy group.