|
Most deserving champions
France shows class in victory, celebration of World Cup
Posted: Monday July 13, 1998 12:42 AM
PARIS (CNN/SI) -- What a glorious victory. What a magnificent way to end
the 16th World Cup football finals.
France had
been impressive enough throughout the tournament, but was staggeringly good
in beating Brazil 3-0 to
take its first ever world title.
Zinedine Zidane showed what a true world-class star he is with the first
two goals. Emmanuel Petit put an exclamation point on his arrival on the
international scene with the third -- and that after Marcel Desailly was
sent off.
Desailly was, for me, France's player of the tournament. The red card in
the final couldn't detract from the outstanding performances he produced in
each and every French win.
Now he's on his way to new club Chelsea to play alongside Frank Leboeuf,
who filled Laurent Blanc's considerable shoes against outgoing champions
Brazil with style and ease.
Think of the chances missed by Stephane Guivarc'h, Petit and Christophe
Dugarry and the picture of French domination is complete.
Yes, Brazil stepped it up in the second half. But it was already two goals
down and simply had no choice but to attack at every opportunity. France
dealt with Ronaldo, Rivaldo and company in assured fashion.
This French team was not to be denied. They were sharper from the outset.
They were the hungrier. They were the more creative. They were the more
solid. They were the most deserving champions.
France became the first host country to win the World Cup since Argentina in
1978 and only the seventh different nation to win the most coveted prize in
the sport.
I had the privilege of sharing the French joy on the Champs Elysees with
around a million of my closest friends. Well, at least for this night they
were.
The scene was truly breathtaking. Supporters doing the Mexican wave up
and down the most famous avenue in Paris. Fans brandishing tricolor flags
and chanting "Allez Les Bleus". Red flares lighting up the night sky.
Fireworks to follow.
And huge images of France's star players were flashed onto the Arc de
Triomphe in a spectacular light show, underneath a neon sentence which
proudly announced "Victory is Ours."
Indeed it is. A French success to savor, even for those of us whose only
claim to "France-hood" is the occasional cafe au lait and a croissant.
It's also wonderful for football.
Brazil flattered to deceive throughout France 98. In the end, they were
exposed for what they are...a side of talented players -- some owning
undeniable genius -- without the necessary teamwork and defensive class to
take the nation all the way to a fifth world title.
It would have been a sad statement for the rest of football had a modest
Brazilian team won the World Cup.
Instead, a versatile, fluid and classy France are World Champions - and
all seems well with France 98.
| 
