Yannis Tafer
Encyclopedia
Yannis Tafer is a French
football
player of Algeria
n descent who currently plays for French club Lyon
in Ligue 1
. He is a France youth international
having represented the country under-17
, under-18
, and under-19
level. Tafer was the top scorer at the 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
leading the tournament with four goals and played on the under-19 team that won the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
.
in the Rhône-Alpes
region
to an Algerian father, who emigrated to France from Constantine
, and a Portuguese mother. He began his football career with a local club in the region, FC Échirolles
. After spending seven years with his childhood club, Tafer signed an aspirant (youth) contract with the then three-time champions Olympique Lyonnais
.
, Tafer signed his first professional contract with Lyon agreeing to a three-year contract until 2011. For the 2008–09 season
, he was placed on Lyon's first-team squad and was assigned the 34 shirt, though he was re-assigned to the number 29. Tafer was a key participant in the club's preseason tour playing in four of the five matches contested. He scored three goals in the preseason netting one each against second division
club Nîmes
, Romania
n club Rapid Bucureşti, and fellow Ligue 1
club Nancy
.
Despite being on the first-team, Tafer was limited to playing mostly on the club's Championnat de France amateur team appearing in 15 matches scoring five goals, which included a brace against RCO Agde
and goals against rivals Saint-Étienne
and AS Lyon Duchère
. On 24 January 2009, Tafer made his professional debut in the club's Coupe de France
match against Concarneau
coming on as a substitute in the 75th minute. In the match, he was instrumental in the club's 5th goal after taking a pass and shooting the ball, which went off the post. Teammate Kader Keïta quickly pounced on the rebound and converted the goal. Lyon won the match 6–0. Two weeks later, Tafer made his league debut making a one-minute cameo appearance in a 3–1 victory over Nice
. Tafer made two more league appearances being relegated back to the amateur team.
For the 2009–10 season
, Tafer's playing time was slightly increased. On 26 September 2009 in his season debut, he scored his first professional goal against Toulouse
after appearing in the match as a halftime substitute. The goal drew the match at 1–1 and Lyon won the match after a late second-half goal from Bafétimbi Gomis
. Two months later, he assisted on César Delgado
's goal in a 2–0 victory over Boulogne
. On 13 January 2010, Tafer made his first career start in a 3–0 win over Metz
in the Coupe de la Ligue
playing the entire match.
. The loan was for the entire 2010–11 season and had a buyout option for €
4 million. His signing was cited as a replacement for the departed André-Pierre Gignac
, who joined Marseille
. Tafer was presented to the media by the club on 25 August and was given the number 10 shirt, formerly worn by Gignac.
having played under-17
, under-18
, and under-19
level. He made his youth international debut with the under-17 team on 2 October 2007 against Switzerland
. Tafer scored a brace in the team's 4–0 victory. On 4 December 2007, Tafer scored both goals in the team's 2–1 win over Turkey. At the Algarve Cup
in Portugal
, he helped the team to a 2nd place finish by scoring his fifth goal of the campaign in the team's 4–2 win against Denmark
. In the Elite Round portion of qualification for the 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
, Tafer scored a double against Israel
in the team's second group stage match. France finished the round unbeaten, which led to qualification to the UEFA-sanctioned tournament. At the tournament, Tafer led all players with four goals scored. He scored all of his goals in the group stage netting one against the Republic of Ireland
, another one against Spain
, and two goals against Switzerland
. France later reached the final where they were defeated 4–0 by Spain. Tafer finished the campaign with the under-17s appearing in 19 matches and scoring a team-high 11 goals.
With the under-18 team
, Tafer scored a team-leading seven goals in only eight matches. On 25 March 2009, he scored a hat trick
against Germany in a 4–3 victory. On 13 June, Tafer converted another hat trick, this time against England
in a 4–2 victory. The match was played at Wembley Stadium
in front of 15,000 spectators and the victory resulted in the team being presented the Fallenhero Trophy by The Football Association
chairman Trevor Brooking
. For under-19 duty
, Tafer was again called upon by coach Francis Smerecki making his first appearance with the team at the 2009 edition of the Sendaï Cup. Beginning with the team's 2–1 victory over Belgium
, Tafer scored a goal in four straight matches. On 7 June 2010, he was named to Smerecki's 18-man squad to participate in the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
. In the tournament, he scored the opening goal in the team's 1–1 draw with England
. The draw assured the club a place in the semi-final portion of the competition where France defeated Croatia
2–1. In the final, Tafer appeared as a halftime substitute and assisted on the team's opening goal scored by Gilles Sunu
. France had been trailing 1–0 prior to the equalizer. France won the match 2–1 following a late goal from Tafer's domestic teammate Alexandre Lacazette
. The title is the country's second UEFA Under-19 championship.
Due to France's victory at the UEFA Under-19 championship, the nation qualified for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup
, which merited under-20 team
appearances for Tafer. After missing the team's opening match of the season against Portugal
, he made his under-20 debut in the team's 1–0 win over Montenegro
. On 17 May 2011, Tafer scored his first goal for the team in its 3–3 draw with the United States netting France's opening goal. In the return match two days later, he scored the game-winning goal in a 2–1 win. Tafer later participated in the 2011 Toulon Tournament
with the under-20 team and scored a goal in a 4–1 group stage win over Mexico
. On 10 June, Tafer was named to the 21-man squad to participate in the U-20 World Cup. He made his debut in the competition on 30 July 2011 in the team's 4–1 defeat to the hosts Colombia
appearing as a substitute. Tafer is also eligible to represent Algeria
at international level.
, who plays for Romania
n side FC Gloria Buzău. Yannis cites his idols as former teammate and mentor Karim Benzema
and former Brazilian international
Ronaldo
.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player of Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
n descent who currently plays for French club Lyon
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
in Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
. He is a France youth international
France national youth football team
The France national youth football team are the national under-20, under-19, under-18, under-17 and under-16 football teams of France and are controlled by the Fédération Française de Football. The youth teams of France participate in tournaments sanctioned by both FIFA and UEFA and also...
having represented the country under-17
France national under-17 football team
The France national under-17 football team is the national under-17 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the annual UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship and the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which is held every four years...
, under-18
France national under-18 football team
The France national under-18 football team is the national under-18 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team serves as a feeder team to the under-19 team as its matches aren't competitive...
, and under-19
France national under-19 football team
The France national under-19 football team is the national under-19 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the annual UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship. They were the 2010 champions of the competition having won on home soil...
level. Tafer was the top scorer at the 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
The final tournament of the 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship was the 26th UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, UEFA's premier football tournament for players under the age of 17. The tournament was held in Turkey from 4 May to 16 May 2008...
leading the tournament with four goals and played on the under-19 team that won the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
-Group B:---------------------Bracket:-Semi-finals:-----Final:-Goalscorers:4 goals Daniel Pacheco3 goals Zvonko Pamić Cédric Bakambu Alexandre Lacazette...
.
Early career
Tafer was born in the city of GrenobleGrenoble
Grenoble is a city in southeastern France, at the foot of the French Alps where the river Drac joins the Isère. Located in the Rhône-Alpes region, Grenoble is the capital of the department of Isère...
in the Rhône-Alpes
Rhône-Alpes
Rhône-Alpes is one of the 27 regions of France, located on the eastern border of the country, towards the south. The region was named after the Rhône River and the Alps mountain range. Its capital, Lyon, is the second-largest metropolitan area in France after Paris...
region
Régions of France
France is divided into 27 administrative regions , 22 of which are in Metropolitan France, and five of which are overseas. Corsica is a territorial collectivity , but is considered a region in mainstream usage, and is even shown as such on the INSEE website...
to an Algerian father, who emigrated to France from Constantine
Constantine, Algeria
Constantine is the capital of Constantine Province in north-eastern Algeria. It was the capital of the same-named French département until 1962. Slightly inland, it is about 80 kilometres from the Mediterranean coast, on the banks of Rhumel river...
, and a Portuguese mother. He began his football career with a local club in the region, FC Échirolles
FC Échirolles
Football Club d'Échirolles is a French association football club founded in 1949. They are based in Échirolles, near Grenoble in Isère, France and are currently playing in the Championnat de France Amateurs 2 Group C. They play at the Stade Eugène Thénard in Échirolles....
. After spending seven years with his childhood club, Tafer signed an aspirant (youth) contract with the then three-time champions Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
.
Lyon
Following the 2007–08 seasonLigue 1 2007-08
The 2007–08 Ligue 1 season is the seventieth since its establishment, and started in August 2007 and ended on 17 May 2008. The fixtures were announced in June 2007. Lyon became French champions, having won a record seventh consecutive title ....
, Tafer signed his first professional contract with Lyon agreeing to a three-year contract until 2011. For the 2008–09 season
Ligue 1 2008-09
The 2008–09 Ligue 1 season was the 71st since its establishment. Bordeaux became champions for the sixth time on the last weekend of the season. The fixtures were announced on 23 May 2008. The season began on 9 August 2008 and ended on 30 May 2009...
, he was placed on Lyon's first-team squad and was assigned the 34 shirt, though he was re-assigned to the number 29. Tafer was a key participant in the club's preseason tour playing in four of the five matches contested. He scored three goals in the preseason netting one each against second division
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
club Nîmes
Nîmes Olympique
Nîmes Olympique is a French association football club based in Nîmes. The club was formed on 10 April 1937 and currently play in Championnat National, the third level of French football. The club's only achievement was winning Ligue 2 in 1950 and the Championnat National in 1997...
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
n club Rapid Bucureşti, and fellow Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
club Nancy
AS Nancy
Association Sportive Nancy-Lorraine is a French association football club based in Nancy. The club was founded in 1967 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Nancy plays its home matches at the Stade Marcel Picot in Tomblaine, a commune located in the Arrondissement of...
.
Despite being on the first-team, Tafer was limited to playing mostly on the club's Championnat de France amateur team appearing in 15 matches scoring five goals, which included a brace against RCO Agde
RCO Agde
RCO Agde |football]] club. The club is based at the 3500-seat Stade Louis Sanguin in Agde.RCO Agde was created in 1999 from the merger of Racing Club Agathois and Football Olympique Agathois. They play in the Championnat de France amateur, Groupe B...
and goals against rivals Saint-Étienne
AS Saint-Étienne
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
and AS Lyon Duchère
AS Lyon Duchère
L'Association Sportive Lyon la Duchère is a French association football team founded in 1964. They are based in Lyon, France and are currently playing in the Championnat de France Amateurs Group B, the fourth tier in the French football league system...
. On 24 January 2009, Tafer made his professional debut in the club's Coupe de France
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
match against Concarneau
US Concarneau
US Concarneau is a French football club based in Concarneau . It was founded in 1911. They play at the Stade Kerampéru, which has a capacity of 7,000...
coming on as a substitute in the 75th minute. In the match, he was instrumental in the club's 5th goal after taking a pass and shooting the ball, which went off the post. Teammate Kader Keïta quickly pounced on the rebound and converted the goal. Lyon won the match 6–0. Two weeks later, Tafer made his league debut making a one-minute cameo appearance in a 3–1 victory over Nice
OGC Nice
Olympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d'Azur is a French association football club based in Nice. The club was founded in 1904 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top-tier of French football. Nice plays its home matches at the Stade Municipal du Ray located within the city. In 2013, the club is...
. Tafer made two more league appearances being relegated back to the amateur team.
For the 2009–10 season
2009–10 Ligue 1
The 2009–10 Ligue 1 season was the 72nd since its establishment. Bordeaux were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 5 June 2009, and play commenced on 8 August and ended on 15 May 2010. There were three promoted teams from Ligue 2, replacing the three teams that were relegated...
, Tafer's playing time was slightly increased. On 26 September 2009 in his season debut, he scored his first professional goal against Toulouse
Toulouse FC
Toulouse Football Club is a French association football club based in the city of Toulouse. The club was founded in 1970 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Toulouse plays its home matches at the Stadium Municipal located within the city. The first team is managed by...
after appearing in the match as a halftime substitute. The goal drew the match at 1–1 and Lyon won the match after a late second-half goal from Bafétimbi Gomis
Bafétimbi Gomis
Bafétimbi Gomis |Var]]) is a French footballer of Senegalese descent who currently plays as a striker for Lyon and the French national team.-Saint-Étienne:...
. Two months later, he assisted on César Delgado
César Delgado
César Fabián Delgado Godoy is an Argentine footballer. He plays for Monterrey. His nickname "El Chelito" is derived from that of Marcelo Delgado because of their same last name.-Career:...
's goal in a 2–0 victory over Boulogne
US Boulogne
Union Sportive de Boulogne-sur-Mer Côte d'Opale is a French association football club based in the commune of Boulogne-sur-Mer. The club was founded in 1898 and currently plays in Ligue 2, the second of division of French football, having been relegated from Ligue 1 during the 2009–10 season.The...
. On 13 January 2010, Tafer made his first career start in a 3–0 win over Metz
FC Metz
Football Club de Metz, commonly referred to as simply Metz , is a French association football club based in Metz. The club was formed in 1932 and has spent most of its history in the Ligue 1, though they currently play in Ligue 2, the second level in French football league system. Metz plays its...
in the Coupe de la Ligue
Coupe de la Ligue
The Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel...
playing the entire match.
Toulouse
On 24 August 2010, Lyon confirmed that the club had loaned out Tafer to fellow Ligue 1 club ToulouseToulouse FC
Toulouse Football Club is a French association football club based in the city of Toulouse. The club was founded in 1970 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Toulouse plays its home matches at the Stadium Municipal located within the city. The first team is managed by...
. The loan was for the entire 2010–11 season and had a buyout option for €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
4 million. His signing was cited as a replacement for the departed André-Pierre Gignac
André-Pierre Gignac
André-Pierre Gignac is a French professional football player who currently plays for French club Marseille in Ligue 1. He primarily plays as a striker whose influence can extend out to the wings. Gignac is described as a "powerful and dangerous" striker who is known for his "aerial presence"...
, who joined Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
. Tafer was presented to the media by the club on 25 August and was given the number 10 shirt, formerly worn by Gignac.
International career
Tafer is a France youth internationalFrance national youth football team
The France national youth football team are the national under-20, under-19, under-18, under-17 and under-16 football teams of France and are controlled by the Fédération Française de Football. The youth teams of France participate in tournaments sanctioned by both FIFA and UEFA and also...
having played under-17
France national under-17 football team
The France national under-17 football team is the national under-17 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the annual UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship and the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which is held every four years...
, under-18
France national under-18 football team
The France national under-18 football team is the national under-18 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team serves as a feeder team to the under-19 team as its matches aren't competitive...
, and under-19
France national under-19 football team
The France national under-19 football team is the national under-19 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the annual UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship. They were the 2010 champions of the competition having won on home soil...
level. He made his youth international debut with the under-17 team on 2 October 2007 against Switzerland
Switzerland national under-17 football team
The Switzerland national under-17 football team is the national under-17 football team of Switzerland and is controlled by the Swiss Football Association. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship and in the FIFA U-17 World Cup...
. Tafer scored a brace in the team's 4–0 victory. On 4 December 2007, Tafer scored both goals in the team's 2–1 win over Turkey. At the Algarve Cup
Algarve Cup
The Algarve Cup is a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's football . Held annually in the Algarve region of Portugal since 1994, it is one of the most prestigious women's football events, alongside the Women's World Cup and Women's Olympic Football...
in Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, he helped the team to a 2nd place finish by scoring his fifth goal of the campaign in the team's 4–2 win against Denmark
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
. In the Elite Round portion of qualification for the 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
The final tournament of the 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship was the 26th UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, UEFA's premier football tournament for players under the age of 17. The tournament was held in Turkey from 4 May to 16 May 2008...
, Tafer scored a double against Israel
Israel national football team
The Israel national football team is the national football team of Israel, controlled by the Israel Football Association .Israel National Football is the direct successor of the Eretz Yisrael National Team during British Mandate...
in the team's second group stage match. France finished the round unbeaten, which led to qualification to the UEFA-sanctioned tournament. At the tournament, Tafer led all players with four goals scored. He scored all of his goals in the group stage netting one against the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
, another one against Spain
Spain national under-17 football team
The Spain national under-17 football team represents Spain in international football at this age level and is controlled by Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain....
, and two goals against Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
. France later reached the final where they were defeated 4–0 by Spain. Tafer finished the campaign with the under-17s appearing in 19 matches and scoring a team-high 11 goals.
With the under-18 team
France national under-18 football team
The France national under-18 football team is the national under-18 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team serves as a feeder team to the under-19 team as its matches aren't competitive...
, Tafer scored a team-leading seven goals in only eight matches. On 25 March 2009, he scored a hat trick
Hat Trick
Hat trick, hat-trick or hattrick may refer to:* hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match* Hattrick — online football management game** Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...
against Germany in a 4–3 victory. On 13 June, Tafer converted another hat trick, this time against England
England national under-18 football team
-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the friendly match against Slovakia.-Recent call-ups:The following players have also been called up to the England under-18 squad and remain eligible.-References:...
in a 4–2 victory. The match was played at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
in front of 15,000 spectators and the victory resulted in the team being presented the Fallenhero Trophy by The Football Association
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
chairman Trevor Brooking
Trevor Brooking
Sir Trevor David Brooking CBE is a football player turned manager, on-air analyst, and administrator.Brooking attended Ripple Infants School and left Ilford County High School with 11 O-levels and 2 A-levels....
. For under-19 duty
France national under-19 football team
The France national under-19 football team is the national under-19 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the annual UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship. They were the 2010 champions of the competition having won on home soil...
, Tafer was again called upon by coach Francis Smerecki making his first appearance with the team at the 2009 edition of the Sendaï Cup. Beginning with the team's 2–1 victory over Belgium
Belgium national youth football team
The Belgium national under-17 football team is the national under-17 football team of Belgium and is controlled by the Belgian Football Association. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship and the FIFA U-17 World Cup...
, Tafer scored a goal in four straight matches. On 7 June 2010, he was named to Smerecki's 18-man squad to participate in the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
-Group B:---------------------Bracket:-Semi-finals:-----Final:-Goalscorers:4 goals Daniel Pacheco3 goals Zvonko Pamić Cédric Bakambu Alexandre Lacazette...
. In the tournament, he scored the opening goal in the team's 1–1 draw with England
England national under-19 football team
-Other matches:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the friendly match against Denmark.- Recent call-ups :The following players have also been called up to the England under-19 squad and remain eligible.-Past squads:...
. The draw assured the club a place in the semi-final portion of the competition where France defeated Croatia
Croatia national under-19 football team
-2012 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship :-2012 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship :-Latest squad:...
2–1. In the final, Tafer appeared as a halftime substitute and assisted on the team's opening goal scored by Gilles Sunu
Gilles Sunu
Gilles Sunu is a French professional footballer who plays in France for Lorient as a striker. Sunu is a French youth international and currently plays on the under-21 team.-Career:...
. France had been trailing 1–0 prior to the equalizer. France won the match 2–1 following a late goal from Tafer's domestic teammate Alexandre Lacazette
Alexandre Lacazette
Alexandre Lacazette is a French football player who currently plays for French club Olympique Lyonnais in Ligue 1. He plays as a striker and is also capable of playing on the wings. Lacazette is a France youth international having earned caps with all of the youth teams beginning with the under-16...
. The title is the country's second UEFA Under-19 championship.
Due to France's victory at the UEFA Under-19 championship, the nation qualified for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup
2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup was the eighteenth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup since its inception in 1977 as the FIFA World Youth Championship. Colombia hosted the tournament between 29 July and 20 August 2011, with matches being played in eight cities...
, which merited under-20 team
France national under-20 football team
The France national under-20 football team is the national under-20 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is held every two years and the Toulon Tournament, which is held every May when football league...
appearances for Tafer. After missing the team's opening match of the season against Portugal
Portugal national under-20 football team
The Portugal national under-20 football team is the national under-20 football team of Portugal and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal....
, he made his under-20 debut in the team's 1–0 win over Montenegro
Montenegro national football team
The Montenegro national football team represents Montenegro in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Montenegro, the governing body for football in Montenegro...
. On 17 May 2011, Tafer scored his first goal for the team in its 3–3 draw with the United States netting France's opening goal. In the return match two days later, he scored the game-winning goal in a 2–1 win. Tafer later participated in the 2011 Toulon Tournament
2011 Toulon Tournament
The 2011 Toulon Tournament was the 39th edition of the Toulon Tournament and took place from 1 June to 10 June. Côte d'Ivoire were the defending champions, but they failed to win a single match and were eliminated in the group stage....
with the under-20 team and scored a goal in a 4–1 group stage win over Mexico
Mexico national under-20 football team
The Mexico national under-20 football team, is controlled by the Mexican Football Federation and represents Mexico in international under-20 football competitions.-Individual awards:...
. On 10 June, Tafer was named to the 21-man squad to participate in the U-20 World Cup. He made his debut in the competition on 30 July 2011 in the team's 4–1 defeat to the hosts Colombia
Colombia national under-20 football team
The Colombia national under-20 football team, is controlled by the Federación Colombiana de Fútbol and represents Colombia in international under-20 football competitions.-Current squad:The following players are participating in the 2011 U-20 FIFA World Cup....
appearing as a substitute. Tafer is also eligible to represent Algeria
Algeria national football team
The Algeria national football team , nicknamed الأفنــاك, Les Fennecs , represents Algeria in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Algérienne de Football. Algeria's home ground is the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers and their head coach is Vahid Halilhodžić.Algeria has qualified...
at international level.
Personal
Yannis is the cousin of Aziz TaferAziz Tafer
Aziz Tafer is a French-Algerian footballer. He currently plays for FC Gloria Buzău in the Romanian Liga I.-Honours:* Won the Algerian League once with ES Sétif in 2007...
, who plays for Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
n side FC Gloria Buzău. Yannis cites his idols as former teammate and mentor Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema is a French international footballer who currently plays for Real Madrid in the Spanish La Liga. He primarily plays as a striker whose influence can extend out to the wings and is known for his technical ability, powerful style of play, and vast goal-scoring ability...
and former Brazilian international
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
Ronaldo
Ronaldo
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima , commonly known as Ronaldo, is a retired Brazilian footballer who last played for Corinthians. Ronaldo is widely considered to be the greatest 'pure' striker in the history of the modern game, and by some accounts, in the history of football. Ronaldo was one of the...
.
Club
(Correct as of 17 March)International
FranceFrance national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
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- UEFA European Under-19 Football ChampionshipUEFA European Under-19 Football ChampionshipThe European Under 19 Football Championship is an annual football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. The competition has been held since 1948. It was originally called the FIFA junior tournament, until it was taken over by UEFA in 1955...
: 20102010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship-Group B:---------------------Bracket:-Semi-finals:-----Final:-Goalscorers:4 goals Daniel Pacheco3 goals Zvonko Pamić Cédric Bakambu Alexandre Lacazette... - 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup2011 FIFA U-20 World CupThe 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup was the eighteenth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup since its inception in 1977 as the FIFA World Youth Championship. Colombia hosted the tournament between 29 July and 20 August 2011, with matches being played in eight cities...
: Fourth Place
- UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
Individual
- UEFA European Under-17 Football ChampionshipUEFA European Under-17 Football ChampionshipThe UEFA U-17 Championship is an annual football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. From 1982 to 2001 it was an Under-16 event.This meeting serves as a preliminary competition for the FIFA U-17 World Cup every other year....
Top Scorer: 20082008 UEFA European Under-19 Football ChampionshipThe final tournament of the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Championship was the 24th UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship, UEFA's premier competition for players under the age of 19. The tournament was held in the Czech Republic with matches played from 14 July to 26 July 2008. Players born...