France's attempts to regain its charred image came to an end after it faced a defeat from Norway with 2-1, but Laurent Blanc's rejuvenated team did exhibit improved performance.

The French team brought a shame when it was in South Africa, offering a succession of poor performances and a players' training strike that capped a terrible tournament.

The ex- world champions made an exit in a major tournament in the initial round without having won a single game for almost the second time in a row prior to Blanc stepping in and making decision to leave World Cup players for the first match in charge.

The ex-Boudreaux coach had been left with just two short training classes, so as to prepare his non-experienced and young players to face Norway.

His new team managed to play a good game and the French fans were left off without any excitement under the ex-coach, Raymond Domenech.

Blanc was satisfied with the game. The players did not have much time but they maintained the respect of what they had been instructed at the time of training.

But it is also known that results are the main decision makers so it was disheartening to see what happened.