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French football player Jean-Philippe Mateta (with the ball) celebrates his goal against Spain during the final of the Olympic Games in Paris on August 9. Carl Ressine/Getty Images
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Narrative Football, the most popular sport on earth, has never had a place in the Olympics, but France got a new lease of life in Paris, thanks to a final loss to Spain.
We tend to forget it, but it is true that football has a place at the Olympics. We remember this by following the French team’s epic with one eye until the final at the Parc des Princes on Friday 9 August, where we came. The Blues lost 5-3 to Spain, but still won the silver medal. “It’s hard to celebrate this victory, but we have to celebrate”asked head coach Thierry Henry after the game. “This is still the best failure,wry smile Captain Alexandre Lacazette. My team is disappointed, but we brought back a medal for France. »
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However, the Tricolore started the match perfectly with a goal in the 11th minute (Enzo Milo), but the Spaniards regained possession and scored three goals in ten minutes (18th, 25th, 28th) to lead 3-1 at halftime. “We relaxed a little bit after the goal”recognize left back Adrian Truft. In the second half, with the help of the whole field, the French team scored two goals at the end of the game (79ᵉ, 90+3ᵉ) and finally won the extra time victory. “Our stadium is always packed.Kiliann Sildillia said gratefully. Tonight, it helped us to go to work overtime. » At that moment, we understood why football is so attractive to spectators.
Thirty minutes of bonus time is a miracle, the audience knows it and loudly supports their team. But after reacting to every conceded goal, France could do nothing this time. At the end of regular time, Spaniard Sergio Camero gave his team a decisive double advantage. Spain are Olympic champions, something that has not happened since the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. For France, we still need to wait…
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As soon as the final whistle blew, head coach Thierry Henry gathered his players: “I tell them to say hello to those amazing supporters”he later explained. The former football player wanted to emphasize the great enthusiasm of the public: “It was wonderful to see people united, singing, waving flags, with blue, white and red cheek paint. »
“The adventure itself is incredible”
The feat did not go far, but the story is still beautiful. Yes, it’s been forty years since French football won the Olympic title. But it’s been a long time since the final. The last one dates back to 1984, in Los Angeles, won by the team of Guy Lacombe and Daniel Xuereb. Tonight everyone is invited to the stadium to watch the new generation of Olympic medalists. Finally.
French fans support their team during the men’s football final at the Olympic Games in Paris, August 9, 2024. Carl Ressine/Getty Images
This is a signature experience for all Blues. “The adventure itself is incredible”please note Kiliann Sildillia. “We have formed a very strong bond that we will remember for the rest of our lives””, continues Adrian Truft. “They always fought and earned my respect for life.” said Thierry Henry. We know we will never be together like this again, but it will stay.»
The French fans in the stands also did not hide their joy. They had made the journey and they showed in huge numbers. Everywhere there were blue jerseys, tricolore flags and roosters proudly worn on their heads. If the defeat prevented the Blues from hearing the Marseillaise during the medal ceremony, the public made the national anthem resound in the stadium. The atmosphere in the stadium was crazy, the crowds were much smaller… Olympic football was in the spotlight. This doesn’t happen often for him.
“Football is not an Olympic sport”
Because it must be acknowledged that football may be the most popular sport on the planet, but it has never found a place in the Olympics. “I am not interested in the French Olympic team. Football is not an Olympic sport»even beating the great football star Michel Platini “Midi Libre” Interview. What is the reason? “FIFA never wants the best. We have the right to have B, C, D teams… It has no interest. »
Since the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has only allowed athletes under the age of 23 to participate – countries are only allowed to participate in three older athletes. A rule that prevents countries from sending their first team. Not to mention that many clubs refuse to release players for the Olympics. In this context, what is the point of watching the Olympic Games? Football fans prefer to enjoy the World Cup every four years, and the competition is more intense…
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Then there is the Olympic Games, the event that defies the monopoly of football. When pubs broadcast football matches all year round, when football results monopolize the front pages of sports newspapers, when TV channels do not promote any other sport as much as football, the Olympic Games fortnight is just a respite. Finally, there are other sports where the public is enthusiastic about lesser-known athletes such as BMX, table tennis or archery.
Blues rekindle Olympic passion
So why is this French soccer team creating such a lotion around it? “People have always wanted to celebrate and support their country, whether they win or lose.”“, estimated a modest Thierry Henry. But it was the performances that sparked interest. This might explain why football is so shunned at the Olympics. It would be an understatement to say that the Blues have not shone there since 1984. Who remembers the epic scenes that took place in Tokyo in 2021? Normally, it was short-lived and France was eliminated in the group stage.
That was the great victory that the Blues pulled off in Paris. Of course, the announced stars – like Kylian Mbappe or Antoine Griezmann – were not there. But now the supporters have fallen in love with this team, its aggression, its energy, its will, because the main thing was elsewhere at the Games. “It’s the least we can do to get them back to the ground.””, stressed Alexandre Lacazette.
With their journey and their silver medal, the Blues have rekindled Olympic enthusiasm in a sport that was lost. Short-lived? Unless we repeat the 1984 feat in Los Angeles in 2028, the flame of the Olympic football tournament is in danger of being snuffed out in the land of American football.
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