2004 France Home – Thierry Henry #12 Large

The 2004 UEFA European Championship in Portugal was a disappointing and transitional tournament for the France national football team. Managed by Jacques Santini, France entered Euro 2004 as one of the favorites, boasting a squad filled with world-class talent and still carrying the aura of their golden generation that had won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.

France were drawn into Group B alongside England, Croatia, and Switzerland. They opened dramatically with a 2–1 victory over England, sealed by two late Zinedine Zidane goals in stoppage time. Draws against Croatia (2–2) and Switzerland (3–1 win) secured progression to the knockout stage, though performances lacked the control and authority expected of a champion side.

In the quarter-finals, France were stunned by eventual winners Greece, losing 1–0 in one of the greatest upsets in European Championship history. The defeat marked the end of the dominant late-1990s French cycle and signaled the need for generational renewal.

The 2004 France home kit, produced by adidas, featured a classic royal blue base, accented with white and red trim in homage to the French tricolore. Sleek, elegant, and unmistakably French, the shirt remains a highly regarded vintage football shirt from the final chapter of an iconic era.

Player’s Impact – Thierry Henry

The 2004 European Championship showcased Thierry Henry at the height of his powers, arriving after one of the greatest club seasons of his career with Arsenal’s Invincibles. Henry entered the tournament as France’s main attacking weapon and one of the most feared forwards in world football.

Henry scored 2 goals during the tournament, including a decisive strike against Switzerland, while consistently threatening defenses with pace, movement, and intelligent positioning. Operating as a central striker drifting into wide channels, he stretched defensive lines and created space for midfield runners such as Zidane and Vieira.

Although France did not reach the latter stages, Henry remained their most dangerous outlet. His acceleration in transition, ability to isolate defenders, and clinical finishing made him central to every attacking sequence. However, Greece’s compact defensive structure in the quarter-final limited his space and neutralized France’s preferred attacking patterns.

The tournament was significant in Henry’s international career as it marked his transition from supporting star to primary attacking leader for France. While silverware eluded him, his status as one of the world’s elite forwards was unquestioned.

Full Squad List (France – Euro 2004, Portugal)

Manager: Jacques Santini

Goalkeepers:
Fabien Barthez, Mickaël Landreau, Grégory Coupet

Defenders:
Lilian Thuram, Willy Sagnol, Bixente Lizarazu, Mikaël Silvestre, William Gallas, Marcel Desailly (captain), Jean-Alain Boumsong

Midfielders:
Zinedine Zidane, Patrick Vieira, Claude Makélélé, Robert Pirès, Ludovic Giuly, Olivier Dacourt, Vikash Dhorasoo

Forwards:
Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet, Louis Saha, Sidney Govou