Merci, Les Bleus!

Firewords like a comet

Yesterday France faced Croatia in the final match of the 2018 World Cup--you know, the one Germany was supposed to win.  The entire country, my city, my neighborhood,  actually much of the entire world was settled in to watch the battle.  I was among them, as were friends and family on both sides of the globe.  There's something really amazing to me about the connected-ness of this act.  In real time we were cheering, all seeing the same thing at the same time.  Thus we see the power and reach of both soccer and technology.

I confess to not caring a whole lot for sports--I like a good baseball game on a warm summer's evening, and I like an occasional ACC college basketball game.  But during World Cup, I watch as many of the matches as I can, and especially those in which France is competing.  I think it's really amusing that I quickly learn the players's names and positions.  This first happened back in 2006, when I was in Paris with some friends from Brookings and we got all wrapped up in the French team who made it to the finals of that World Cup. (Versus Italy) Remember Zidane and the famous head butt?

Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite

So this year I got to know Griezmann and Mbappe and Lloris (my personal nominee for MVP of the series with all the amazing saves he made over the course of the matches).  I still don't understand all the rules, especially where fouls are concerned, but I did learn there are few things worse than touching the ball with your hands.  Pushing, shoving, grabbing an opponent's jersey are all okay, but no tripping.  It also seemed as if players spent an awful lot of time rolling around on the ground; maybe they were really in pain or maybe they simply needed a breather.  Soccer is a lot more physical contact than I had ever imagined.

I like these with the glittery finish!

Here are a few things I saw and learned.  1.)The South American teams are more aggressive than most of the Europeans.  They play rougher.  Germany was eliminated rather early, stunned by a loss to Mexico.  2.) Although tempers can and do flare, most players help one another up off the ground and seem to regard a match well played as something to celebrate, even for the loser.  3.) People, including the French announcers I listened to (although they tried to hide their bias) didn't seem to much like England and nobody, except the Brits, seemed sorry to see them eliminated.  4.)  Even though scores don't typically run high, the game is nerve-wrackingly exciting.  Sometimes I just had to look away.  I suppose that makes me a terrible fan. 5.) Croatian fans were wearing outfits that resembled red and white checked tablecloths.

After some of the matches, there were some shameful incidents.  The one of British fans trashing an Ikea store after England BEAT Sweden seems particularly egregious.  France was little better, after its win over Blegium, when there was some looting in Paris.  I don't understand how exuberance crosses the line to damage.  

Festive sight

Nobody expected anything of Croatia, so to have them in the finals made my sympathies torn.  I love an underdog, and they definitely were that.  I am happy France won, for the team's sake, but I would have felt okay with a Croatian win.  Besides, I learned that Croatia has a woman President and that impresses me.  

The presentation of the trophies was an interesting event.  Vladimir Putin was there.  I suppose he had to be, since the games were held in \Russia, after all.  But what a thug.  It started raining during the presentation of medals, and raining hard.  Putin was quickly given an umbrella and someone to hold it.  Meanwhile all the other dignitaries, French President Macron and the FIFA officials and the President of Croatia, the teams, the referees, the "stewardesses" holding the medals,  braved the rain and got soaked. 

After the presentation of the medals and hugs to both teams from both country's presidents, the dignitaries left the stage to the winning team and the press.  There was childlike cavorting, slipping and sliding on the sopping ground.  But what touched me the most was that each player was able to bring his children and have photos taken with the trophy.  No wonder French children love soccer; they are introduced to it at a very young age.  

I like soccer because it's an equalizer.  You don't have to have fancy equipment or expensive gear.  All you need is a ball.  And determination.  The teams I saw, especially the South American ones, as well as Croatia, had that in spades.  

This one has a beating heart

France's daily newspaper Le Monde had a cartoon of Mbpappe, who is only 19 years old.  Basically it said, "He;s 19 and is playing in a World Cup final.  What were YOU doing when you were 19?"

I don't feel like I won anything....I don't understand that transference.  The team deserves the congratulations.  They are flying back from Moscow today and will be greeted in the Elysee Palace by President and Madame Macron.  And everywhere today there are signs--Merci, les Bleus.  Thank you, Blues for a wonderful experience!  

And next up?  The Tour de France rolls into town for three days at the end of the week!