It was fun watching France '98 with a lot of French people. I believe it is researched human nature that we feel stronger about things like home and our country when we are away from them. So although being in France would have been a powerful experience, watching a World Cup held in France with French people who were stuck in the middle-of-nowhere Canada while this momentous occasion took place in their country was a unique experience.
France opened with comfortable 3-0 and 4-0 wins against South Africa and Saudi Arabia respectively. A 2-1 win over Denmark in their final group match meant they moved on to the second round with a perfect win record and confidence for the second round.
That's where they played Paraguay on a Sunday lunchtime, eastern Canada time. Waiters and chefs were seen to be disappearing into the hotel TV lounge while guests waited for their five star lunches.
Dessert was probably served with a lot more love after Laurent Blanc's extra time sudden death winner. There had been lots of French tension before that goal: waiters might have not set plates down perfectly with the food facing the right way, cocktails may have been missing an umbrella and tempers in the kitchen may have been boiling.
But when Blanc scored the first ever World Cup golden goal the world was instantly a better place. Springs were back in steps, smiles had returned and chefs were back in kitchens. There would be a lot more highs and lows to come but what if Blanc hadn't scored that goal and Paraguay had held out for penalties. The reputation of the fanciest French restaurant in Central Ontario might have taken a beating.
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