No tears from Argentine-based Higuain over France snub

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PARIS (AFP) - France's build-up to Wednesday's friendly against Greece at the Stade de France has been overshadowed by the refusal of River Plate forward Gonzalo Higuain to answer coach Raymond Domenech's call-up. The 18-year-old is a French national but has been brought up in Argentina, the country of his parents, and wants to delay deciding between the two. Domenech, perhaps mindful of all the brouhaha created when he summoned Claude Makelele despite the Chelsea midfielder announcing his international retirement after the World Cup, has sought to play down the snub. "I don't understand it but we're not going to stir up a fuss for now," he said. "I hope we'll be seeing him in the future. He's French so he's eligible for selection. I hope reason will win through in the end," added the French coach. Higuain said it hadn't been his intention to upset the France manager. "I'm focused on River. It was a hard decision but I'm relaxed as I believe it was the best decision for me. "My father's sent a letter to thank Domenech. For the moment it's too early to go over there," the teenage attacker said on Monday. Apart from the Buenos Aires-based youngster Domenech is also missing injured trio Philippe Mexes, Sidney Govou and Karim Benzema. Among those upon whom he can count however are Patrick Vieira, who will be winning his 100th cap against the Greeks, Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, who returns after a two-year spell in the international wilderness, and Nicolas Anelka. The Bolton striker, now back in the fold after being overlooked for the World Cup and among the scorers against the Faroe Islands last month, said: "You're always disapppointed to miss out on a World Cup, that's happened to me twice now but it hasn't killed me. "It's life, you have to turn the page, I'm selected this time and so much the better." Revenge is a dish best served at the temperature of Paris in November and France, which prides itself on its cuisine, could be forgiven for hoping that's precisely what will be on the menu on Wednesday. For the last time the pair met two years ago Greece struck a major blow for underdogs everywhere by winning the Euro 2004 quarter-final clash 1-0 en route to claiming the title itself. The intervening 29 months since that meeting in Lisbon have been kinder to France than Greece. Greece's fortunes nosedived after Portugal with Otto Rehhagel's men failing to qualify for the World Cup while France refound their swagger by making it through to the final itself. Thierry Henry and co. have maintained their World Cup form post-Germany with a bright start to their bid to qualify for Euro 2008 - a defeat to Scotland aside - including a hugely satisfying 3-1 defeat of World Cup winners Italy. The 'Bleus' are placed second on goal difference to Scotland in Group B. Greece too are sitting pretty with three wins out of three to place them second also on goal difference to Turkey in Group C. Rehhagel has recalled Panathinaikos midfielder Alexandros Tziolis for his second cap after the 21-year-old's impressive performances for his club. The veteran German tactician also welcomes back AEK Athens defender Traianos Dellas, who missed last month's Euro 2008 qualifying wins against Norway and Bosnia through injury.