Amid the outcry over France's qualification for next year's World Cup, the team is pondering how far it can go in South Africa under the leadership of deeply unpopular national coach Raymond Domench.
France's playoff win over Ireland - achieved with the aid of a clear handball by Thierry Henry in extra time that was unseen by the referee - meant Domenech survived getting fired by the skin of his teeth.
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His rough ride as France manager will last until at least the opening match of the World Cup next year, yet his popularity in France remains somewhere between rock bottom and non-existent.
Domenech has never won a major title in his career as coach of leading club team Lyon, France's under-21s or the national team - and his presence continues to grate.
"The team can't carry on like this," former France midfielder Emmanuel Petit once said during France's fraught qualifying campaign. "The players have no understanding with each other, the defense is permanently being rebuilt. All the players play with a blade hanging over them, not knowing if they'll play the next match."
France edged past Ireland as Henry guided the ball with his hand and onto his right foot, crossing for William Gallas to head home in extra time, making it 2-1 on aggregate and sending France to South Africa.
"All those who love French football are happy," Domenech said after. "My prediction before the match was 1-1. I was sure we would qualify. Let me enjoy it, let those who backed me make the most of it."
Domenech's reference to "all those who love French football" reads as a challenge to his detractors - including former players like Didier Deschamps, Christophe Dugarry, Petit, Bixente Lizarazu, Robert Pires and most fans.
Domenech refused to comment on the handball, saying he had not seen it. But he claimed to see a penalty on Nicolas Anelka even though the incident was further away.
"I thank all those who have supported us in the last few months," Domenech added.
These are few and far between, but include French football federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes, who backed Domenech despite deafening clamors for him to be fired a poor showing at Euro 2008.
