Parisiens bring back memories
QUEEN’S ‘WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS’ TAKES OVER AS THE NEW ANTHEM
For a few glorious moments, it could have been 1998 all over again. Thousands of supporters on the streets of Paris and beyond, a soundtrack of triumphant bursts of ‘La Marseillaise,’ and everywhere you looked — red, white and blue.
France’s World Cup win 20 years ago, when Brazil were crushed 3-0 in Paris, will always retain its special place in the hearts of the nation’s footballing fraternity, given it was their maiden triumph on the biggest stage of all. But this summer’s celebration in Russia has run it pretty close.
In 1998, the numbers in the Champs-Elysees — the “world’s most beautiful avenue” — hit 1.5 million.
As the “Champs” filled up once more on Sunday, it appeared that number would be matched and the ambience was just as feverish.
Last time around, Gloria Gaynor’s ‘I Will Survive’ became the unofficial victory song. Judging by the chants from Parisian bars, Queen’s ‘We Are The Champions’ appeared the likely replacement anthem.
“We’ve been waiting for this moment for 20 years,” said one fan, Rudy Korvan, 31. “We’re all united.”
Another, Anne Chartier, 48, found it hard to contain her emotions. “It’s magnificent,” she said. “I cried with my son. It raises everyone’s morale. We all believe in a brighter future. It’s a burst of positive energy.”
The temperature had already been rising early in the day as 90,000 quickly filled a huge fan zone set up in front of the Eiffel Tower. Many had waited five hours for kick-off. Fans gathered in front of 230 giant screens around the country as Le Parisien, the capital’s daily, willed the national side to “bring back a second star”.
Wounded but unbowed after a string of terror attacks over the past three years that have left 246 dead, France has rallied round its national team like never before — a team that has come to symbolise French unity and diversity, embodied by the brilliant teenager Kylian Mbappe, who had said his dream was to “embody France”.
Vindication of multiculture
Just like in 1998, half the French players came from poor banlieues, or suburbs, of Paris. Back then, the team was hailed as a vindication of multicultural France at peace with itself.
Seven years later, three weeks of riots swept those banlieues and, in recent years, terror attacks have cast doubts over whether the fabric of French society could hold together.
Against this backdrop, the understated Didier Deschamps and his band of brothers have captured the public imagination as proof to the contrary.
Omar Sy, one of France’s bestloved actors and a child of the banlieues, sent the team a letter to say “merci” for all they had done for Gallic pride and national cohesion. “You are the bearers of unity, diversity, hope, ambition, youth. More than ever we need these symbols,” he wrote.
Frederic Vezard, former editor of L’Equipe, France’s mostread sports daily, said there were “lots of similarities with 1998”, except two decades ago the final had the added potency of happening on home soil.
It’s magnificent. I cried with my son. It raises everyone’s morale. We all believe in a brighter future. It’s a burst of positive energy.” Anne Chartier » 48-yearold France fan
I don’t know where I am... I’m very happy, it was a very difficult match. We can’t wait to lift the cup and bring it back to France.” Antoine Griezmann » French striker
Sleep comes easy to me, but I’m not going to bed, we are going to celebrate this. We’ll return to work in a few weeks.” Kylian Mbappe » French striker
It’s nothing. It’s normal for us. It’s a crazy thing, we don’t even dare to think about what is happening in France.” Adil Rami » France defender
[Lifting the trophy] was a touching moment. I had my grandmother, my brother, my sister, my two daughters and my wife in the stands.” Hugo Lloris » French captain
OOOUUUUUUUUUIIIIIIIIII! World champions !!!!! ”” French team’s twitter