PARIS, July 7 (AFP): Profile of the coaches in the Croatia v France World Cup semifinal:

MIROSLAV BLAZEVIC

(Croatia)

Perhaps serving time in prison should become obligatory for all apprentice coaches if it confers the assurance and self belief that Croatian coach Miroslav Blazevic evidently en-joys.

Blazevic has managed to im-

thorities in 1994 for insulting the referee after Auxerre beat Croatia Zagreb in a UEFA Cup match.

The bespectacled 63-year-old is a keen follower of astrology and perhaps he already knows more than he can prudently say about the outcome of this tournament. His own future is clear as crystal.

"I will be coach of this team as long as I live. It is written in the stars." he insists.

the French team the night before al the Stade de France."

The 57-year-old Jacquet took over from Gerard Houillier who departed under a cloud after France sensationally failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup finals after Bulgaria beat them in Paris in the last minute of their final qualifier.

His predictions and his team selections have been scoffed at and Jacquet, who is not very good at thinking on his feet and

parl to hrs players a belief in their destiny that would defy logic in any other nation under five million population which has never played in the World Cup before.

The mystic chain smoker, who seeks comfort in his astrologer, told the players before the match against Germany that they were going to win the World Cup.

They destroyed the three-times world champions 3-0 and Blazevic. who has been at the helm for four years, revealed:

"I told the players, if you win this match, you will be world champions, now we have got to go on and do that."

Blazevic is a personal friend of Croatian President Franjo Tudjman. and the two share a passion for football and nationalist politics. Tudjman appointed him president of Croatia Zagreb in 1992 when Croatia won independence two years before he took over the reins of the national side.

His career has taken him to success with a string of clubs outside his national borders but it was his misfortune to be in France during a match-fixing scandal involving European champions Marseille.

Blazevic. then coach of Nantes, was implicated, and spent two weeks in prison before being released without charges being brought against him.

Back home in Croatia no-' body believed that a mari known for Jii$ d?CP passion fo< sport could be a cheat. Impul-, sive. yes. he was banned for a; time by Europe's football au-

Never a star as a player. Blazevic, as coach, is a great tactician with an ability to get the best out of his players. And he believes in them more than anything else.

"Croatian players are the most gifted in Europe. They are the Brazilians of Europe." he asserts.

However there is one worrying note for Blazevic. An astrologer has told him that he might suffer a heart attack while sitting on the bench during the World Cup.

But Blazevic will no doubt reduce the odds by watching his side play — standing up.

AIME JACQUET (France)

Much maligned Aime Jacquet may go down in history as France's most successful coach. He may also be recognised as a true prophet.

Four years ago when he took over after France's failure to qualify for USA '94. he said he would lead France to World Cup glory on home soil four years on and then retire.

That retirement date looms much close — but so does his potential vindication.

Jacquet has been a whipping boy of the French media despite an impressive record. He was attacked savagely after France failed to reach the final of Euro '96 and his critics have been snapping at his heels ever since.

"My sporting life )s not over, but it wUl he on July 13." Jacquet said more than a . month before the World Cupr fi-,nals[kicked ofij t ; , • ' VIL will >be perfect as 1 will have taken a lap of honour with

dealing with the media in a glib and comfortable fashion, bears a deep grudge against the French press corps.

Football has been his life. Jacquet played for Lyon and St Etienne in the French league during the 1960s and early 70s and won two caps for France as a midfielder. He was a modest performer rather than an exceptional player.

His playing days over, his interest in football as an intellectual. rather than physical challenge grew.

He coached at Lyon. Bordeaux and Montpellier before being appointed as French coach in January 1994.

Much to the dismay of his detractors, he proved to be his own man. refusing to bow to public or media pressure and rejecting the claims of star names like Eric Cantona and David Ginola in favour of a collective work ethic that has paid handsome dividends as France approach their semifinal against Croatia.

He has the best defence in the tournament and a talented midfield marshalled by one of the World Cup's greatest Individual talents. Zinedine Zidane of Juventus.

Perhaps his greatest failing— if it can be blamed on one man— is his inability to solve the riddle of France's front-line strikers. Most of the goals are coming from midfield and even defence and Thierry Henry of Monaco is the only attacker who has scored more than, one goal-..- • „ i ., friH-T*'

The Achilles' Heel of the French team could yet. trigger the end of Jacquet s dream.