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Barthez Hopes to Open for France on World Cup

Fabien Barthez, Olympique Marseille goalkeeper, is still hoping to be France`s first choice for the World Cup`s team goalkeeper position while saying that he looks only on his own form. Barthez helped France to their last World Cup victory back in 1998, and is also responsible for the Euro 2000 win, but now Barthez is facing competition by his Olympique Lyon counterpart Gregory Coupet.

Coupet has been in outstanding form this season, helping Lyon to a Champions League quarterfinal and to an imminent record fifth consecutive league title. Last season, Barthez was handed a five-month suspension for spitting at a referee during a friendly game between Marseille and Wydad Casablanca. Coupet, seems to be in pole position to be France`s first choice when they kick off their World Cup challenge in Germany in June.

"I just concentrate on myself," Barthez told sports daily L`Equipe last week. "Since 1992, I`ve been playing for teams who enter a league season to win the title. I have had to question myself for almost the past 15 years. I do not think of the World Cup. I know everything goes fast, I know everything can change within 48 hours," the former Manchester United keeper added.