Believe it or not, I was 20 when I followed my first world cup.

In my childhood, I had a lot of friends fan of Olympique de Marseille. So far, it's the only french team who won Champion's league with Bernard Tapie.

When the french world cup began, I bought a magazine containing the calendar of the matches and put it on my wall. I was in my bachelor year, not very concerned with the schedule of my courses, which means I could see the 64 matches on TV. All.

Then the adventure began with the match of France versus South Africa, won 4-0. Easy Pizy !!

After a few days, I was literally eating each match, knowing each players name, discussing each strategy, Soccer became a fantastic game to me.

After being first of her group, France played height finals versus Paraguay. This match was an horrible very long sterile party. 60 millions of French were suffering from the great Chilaver goal. This guy was a mountain. But during the prolongation, Laurent Blanc delivered us with his golden goal, and the adventure could continue.

The country could enjoy the beginning of the summer, the supporters from all around the world and nobody could imagine the historical days that were coming...

In the quarter final, we were playing Italy. Strong defensive team, a wall, locking game. Three times world champion. It appeared to be difficult. The match was tight. We did another prolongation, which was making suffering organisms. No golden goal this time, but penalties ! To me, it was like playing to casino... Lizarazu missed his one. And finally, Di Biagio missed his shoot. Delivrance, summer time, fiesta, we were still in this cup.

Being in the last four of a World Cup is a particular feeling. It smells the end of an adventure. The dream is close and at the same time the mountain is still hard to climb. France was playing Croatia. Slaven Bilic provocated Laurent Blanc, who gave him a slap, and took a red which meant no final for him. The second half had just began than suddenly, Lilian Thuram made a defensive mistake and Croatia scored. It was a tragedy. The dream was going to turn nightmare. But one minute after, we heard the speaker screaming"Lilian Thuram !!!". The guy had scored, just after his defensive error. Magic. 20 millions of french in front of their tv couldn't believe it. And then, a few minutes after, Lilian Thuram scored a second goal. This guy, with more than 140 selections, has scored two times in his life for France, and it was during this semi final match. The dream continued... Months after, Thuram explained that he didnt "want to ruin the party".

From authentic, the team sunddenly became heroic. People began to believe the dream could become true. But, France was in final versus Brazil. The biggest winner or World Cup. With the terror : Ronaldo.

July 12th, 1998. The sky was blue, France was calmly waiting for 9pm. Hundreds of cars were klaxonning on Champs Elysées. French flags everywhere. A beautiful afternoon, to prepare a moment of eternity.

Then, came the moment. La Marseillaise, in Stade de France, played for the final of the World Cup in France. Oh la la. You could feel electricy in the air. I can imagine people everywhere in the country in front of their tv or listening to the radio, or expatriate all around the world. Jacques Chirac singing la Marseillaise. Michel Platini. Zinedine Zidane. 60 millions of citizens.

Then, Zinedine Zidane scored two times with his head. 2-0 at half time. Could it be possible ? Are we really going to win against Brazil the great trophy ? The second half was not frightening, french team was playing with serrenity. Nothing could happen to us. Before the end of the match, Emmanuel Petit scored the third goal. It was finished. Match was over. The World Cup was over. But we were still there. After the end, celebrating.

"L'équipe", the french sport newspaper edited the day after "Pour l'éternité" which means "For the eternity".


Nowadays, when I see the videos of France 98, smile of Zidane, final versus great Brasil, I feel the same energy. The magic is still here. For the eternity.