Given aiming to foil Henry in dynamic duel

ONE of the most fascinating duels in prospect in the Stade de France tonight will be that between France’s hot-shot centre-forward Thierry Henry and Ireland’s world-class goalkeeper, Shay Given.

It is the classic showdown - a hit-man riding high on a wave of emotion generated by a wonder goal last weekend for Arsenal against Charlton Athletic and a goalkeeper as powerful and as unyielding as a tidal breakwater.

The contest between the two is no less attractive because in Given, Ireland have a personality so calm and serene that one gets the impression he could hold lighted coals in his bare hands and in Henry, France have an erratic genius capable of blinding inspiration.