I Will Mock Anelka - Ribery

Anelka, who’s miss from twelve yards handed Manchester United European glory, is in the France squad for Euro 2008 along with Bayern Munich star Ribery.
 
"Sure, I'll do it, [mock Anelka]" joker Ribery told Reuters, when asked whether his France team mate faced some ribbing for his shoot-out miss in Wednesday's final in Moscow.
 
"Maybe not just yet, though," added Ribery, who was speaking at France's training camp outside Paris.
 
"He could have an axe or a hammer in his bag."

Young Guns
 
Ribery, who burst into the limelight at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, has reached a new dimension since the event in Germany and is now one of the leading player’s in world football.
 
In what promises to be an entertaining few weeks in the 7-29 June European Championship finals in Austria and Switzerland, Ribery will be a certain starter for the French.
 
Having replaced Zinedine Zidane as France's most player, he knows that many of the squad’s younger players such as Karim Benzema and Samir Nasri, both 20, will turn to him for advice.
 
"If I can help them, it will be with pleasure," the 25-year-old stated.
 
"What I have to tell them is 'don't be afraid, try things and don't put yourselves under any kind of pressure'."

Conservation
 
Ribery is coming out of his first season for Bayern Munich, which ended with a domestic league and Cup double. He has matured significantly as a player but admits he still must learn to pace himself and conserve energy during games.
 
"I'm told to do that but I just can't," he admitted.
 
"It's just not my nature. When I'm on the pitch, I give it all I have. That's simply the way I am. I can't change it."
 
Asked about the prospect of France meeting Germany in the June 29 final, Ribery admitted that it would be a special occasion for him.
 
"That would be special because I play in Germany but, frankly, I don't really care who we play in the final," he concluded.
 
"I just want us to get there and win it."

Chris Myson