| Mes amis, my friends - I've got to hand it to | | | | If there is one thing that France forgot or |
| you: you have a hell of a good team! | | | | otherwise underestimated, however, is the |
| | | | fact that the Azzurri have seven lives, just |
| Soccer is not only a wonderful game that | | | | like cats. They never die. Which, in ultimate |
| unites millions of fans around the world, it | | | | analysis, may be the sole explanation as to |
| is also a modern symbol of solidarity on | | | | why they have prevailed. |
| account of its diversity - irrespective of | | | | |
| faith, colour of skin, political commitments | | | | And what can be said about Zidane, the famous |
| and affiliations. People are carried away by | | | | Zidane, who has chosen to head-butt |
| this beautiful and exciting spectacle. And it | | | | Materazzi? Well, I can certainly state here |
| is in this spirit that I am writing these few | | | | and now for the record that I would not want |
| lines, still fresh of the tumultous emotion | | | | to meet Zizou in a back lane at night, that's |
| and fatigue of having watched Italy playing a | | | | for sure. This is what happens when there are |
| formidable adversary such as France - and | | | | two billion eyes belonging to one billion |
| win. | | | | viewers all over the world scrutinizing each |
| | | | and every move you make. I am not talking by |
| France does not have my devotion - that stays | | | | direct experience here - I do not believe |
| with Italy. But Les Bleus have my profound | | | | that two people (the equivalent of four eyes, |
| respect, and that of countless Italian fans. | | | | so to speak) have ever cared about what I do |
| I do not know if that is worth the Cup, but | | | | at any given time, let alone one billion. But |
| it's got to be worth something. France played | | | | I am saying that pressure manifests itself in |
| superbly well, both in the first and the | | | | different ways for different people. |
| second half. Italy played superbly well only | | | | |
| for the first forty-five minutes and then, of | | | | Zizou flipped. And he directed his anger at |
| course, at the penalty kicks. But in the | | | | the man who had equalized: Materazzi. |
| second half you really put us in disarray. | | | | Afterall it was Zidane's last game, the |
| How we won is probably a question that should | | | | culmination of a career that puts him at the |
| be asked of whomever spins the wheel of | | | | same level, height and majesty of Pele'. |
| destiny in this world. Certainly no human can | | | | Victory was within reach and Materazzi was |
| answer that question. | | | | the man that had taken it away from him. A |
| | | | human reaction, certainly not a plausible or |
| But we won. | | | | justifiable one, but human. Considering also |
| | | | that it is unlikely that Zidane would have |
| Which highlights a fact of life - and of | | | | changed the score during the play. He had |
| soccer, of course - that is, being better and | | | | tried twice and failed, and was running out |
| winning do not go necessarily hand in hand. I | | | | of steam. An act of desperation in the heat |
| am not trying to put down the Italians here. | | | | of the battle, something that the man should |
| How could I? Ultimately they did equalize and | | | | not be put on the cross for. |
| they scored a perfect five at the penalty | | | | |
| kicks, whereas the French did not. I am | | | | Bottom line, and this is my own personal |
| talking, however, about the quality of the | | | | message to all my French counterparts ... |
| game played. Strategy, swiftness, attack and | | | | France should be proud of their team. Chirac |
| team balance ... those are the qualities that | | | | is right: you should celebrate Les Bleus when |
| distinguished Les Bleus and of which the | | | | they come back to Paris, as they have earned |
| Azzurri seemed to be somewhat in short | | | | not only the respect of the French, but also |
| supply. Certainly France could have had a | | | | of the Italians. Best French player? For me |
| more precise aim in their shots, and Buffon - | | | | Henry, even better than Zidane. |
| our goal keeper - is better than Bastien, by | | | | |
| far. But to watch Henry, Zizou, Makelele and | | | | The Cup stays in Italy, fair enough. But the |
| Ribery come after us every two minutes was no | | | | glory is with you. |
| fun - trust me! | | | | |
| | | | Vive la France. Viva l' Italia. |