Coupet and Sagnol win accolade

Wednesday 28 December, 2005

Lyon goalkeeper Grégory Coupet and Bayern Munich defender Willy Sagnol have both been included in L’Equipe newspaper’s European Team of the Year.

Sagnol and Coupet were the only two Frenchman in a side that included four Englishman and has no room for the newly-crowned French Player of the Year Thierry Henry.

The Arsenal striker missed out to Samuel Eto’o and Andriy Shevchenko for the two striking positions, with Ballon d’Or Ronaldinho playing a roaming role with fellow Brazilian Kaka just behind.

England duo Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard were selected in central midfield, while another English pair Jamie Carragher and John Terry were chosen at centre-back in front of France No. 1 Coupet.

Right-back Sagnol’s excellent form for club and country was rewarded, while the indefatigable Paolo Maldini was voted as Europe’s premier left-back.