Zizous @ SIHH...(17/4)

Far away, so close. This was the walking at a glance...

Zirhero...(10/7)

(source of photo 2 to 4: le Figaro)
Zidane is still the headline of the day...
He is artistic and he is passionate. He is magnificent and he is dramatic. He chooses his way to go, and he offers himself a way to go. Frankly he possesses all the character of being a hero, be it real or not. He is calm and he is arrogant. I admire him, be it he or the image projected onto him. All in all, I believe the world needs heroes, and he deserves to be one. Watching in France the French team playing in the World Cup, there is a strong feeling about a passionate modelling of team building exercise within the French community. Citizens in all colours vote for Zizou, and the stream of love and hate grows from the heart of the people on Champs-Elysees. Zidane gives some dreams to people who do not have, or would not want to have. He played ballad on soccer field, and he looked as if he was patient and introvert. He drove the flame at the Arc de Triomphe, and at last he exploded, ending his glorious career on the battlefield at the top of the top. French people may be learning how to win and how to lose. Everyday, there is a chance to win and another to lose. We can choose if we want to choose, but things may not happen as they are wished. Walking down the ready-to-celebrate Champs-Elysees after the match last night, I stared at the disappointing sight and sorrow. History repeats and regrets can be most beautiful. Quand toute est tellement belle, il y a ni victoire ni défaite...people walk on, and the moon sank. On the façade of Arc de Triomphe, there were glittering slogans projecting in front of the eyes of audience and supporters, "Zizou, on t'aime". French are romantic because they love their way to be, and sometimes there is no need to have a good sight.

Allez les bleus...(28/6)

(sources of photos: http://www.figaro.fr & http://www.lesechos.fr)
We got today the headlines...
- "...l’amour-propre et l’expérience ont offert aux Bleus une qualification précieuse. Ils affichent désormais une motivation exceptionnelle avant d’affronter, samedi, le Brésil." (Le Figaro)
- "...le glas sonne pour l'Espagne, les cloches de la victoire pour les Bleus." (le Monde)
- "La Retraite Attendra" (Metro France)
- "Muchas Gracias les Bleus!" (Metro France)
- "¡Vamos!" (Libération)
- "...en réussissant l'un de ses plus beaux matches depuis l'Euro2000, la France s'est offert mardi soir une seconde jeunesse et a ranimé des espoirs que l'on croyait enfouis sous des années de déception." (yahoo.fr)

I was in an Irish pub with my friends and the French supporters last night. The French team was looked down with their disappointing performance in previous games. The Spanish thought they could win the game. Their team is young and motivated. They got their first goal in first half. I was as worried as other French spectators. Ribery got his goal no. 1 before the break. The pub was thundered with released joy and hope. French was playing more decisive and collective in the match. Viera became a decision maker again, but to me, the goal of Zizou was significantly gorgeous. He was playing in hard time against all the pressure, problem of aging and fitness. Perhaps this could be his last goal in his soccer career, but he finished it in style. I was worried that he could end his career with a last minute substitution in the match against South Korea last week. For sure, ça fait beaucoup plus belle maintenant! Playing the game against Brazil offers him "encore" an extension of his passion to soccer.
Paris was flogged with horning cars and flying tricolores flags in the evening. The city was in joy. The sentiment was something I missed for long time in the city, frankly.

France le Champion...(12/10)

After rounds of fear and uncertainty, the French national team got the first class ticket to Germany next June in the World Cup 2006...80 000 audience gathered at Stade de France in the evening to support the team for the qualification, and the full-house match was applauded by the passionate supporters and I was fully immersed in the natural high atmosphere. The French team played a nice match, though they missed numerous golden chances. The team still needs so much their two best strikers who are still on the beach due to injury. They got four goals instead of the targeted five, but luckily, with the draw of Suisse and Ireland, France can complete its mission to rank first in the group for the following firework carnival after the match. Cool!! Of course, Zizou becomes again the hero of the team!!!

Allez-y, l'Equipe de France...(3/8)

The headline of the day is the decision of Zinedine Zidane to return to the French National Team. Wide coverage on TV and press projects a promising expectation on the "rentree" of their hero to rescue the team for the World Cup next year in Germany...The team fails to secure a place for the Cup until now after quite some disappointing group matches before. The team ranks fourth after Ireland, Switzerland and Israel. Together with the reunion of his Frenchmate Claude Makelele, the team is expected to be more capable of gaining the last minute train to Germany next year.

The decisive match for the team would be held on Oct 12 at the Paris St Denis Stadium. Watch it out...