France's incredible victory

There was joy in the air this morning when I jogged up the Avenue de la Grande Armée. France had just confounded everyone's expectations, including its own, and knocked New Zealand out of the world rugby cup. In the morning sunshine on the cafe terraces people were sharing their amazement over "the incredible victory". A gaggle of mournful New Zealanders were nursing their hangovers and joking about suicide. It was almost as if Paris was celebrating one of the Napoleonic victories inscribed on the Arc de Triomphe just up the street.

The 20-18 victory was so extraordinary because no-one had given France a chance against the invincible All Blacks. The players themselves sounded defeated in advance and comedians were joking all week about ambulance planes that would be flying back the French survivors from the massacre of Cardiff. Even at half time, with New Zealand 10 points ahead, they had started mourning in the bars around my home.

Then the old French flair suddenly revived and the team that became a national joke after going down to Argentina rose up and "committed history" as the TV commentator put it. Looking back, everyone said they could tell that a miracle was in the air after the French players faced down the All Blacks, eye-ball to eye-ball as they performed their Haka war dance before the start of play.

They danced in the streets all night in Paris, which was already staying up late to celebrate the "Nuit Blanche" -- Mayor Delanoe's annual all-night festival of arts. The exaltation was strongest in Toulouse, France's rugby capital. At four am there they were still singing On ira tous au paradis (We'll all go to heaven), an old pop hit that has become the rugby anthem. 

The newspapers ran out of superlatives today. "Gigantic!" said the headline in le Parisien. "This victory, which will go down in history without a doubt, has been given to us by a French side that has stunned the world."

It may be only a game -- and a quarter final at that -- but the victory is balm for the national soul. After all the talk of decline and the feeling that France has lost out and can't do things right any more, its team has beaten the favourites. It also helps that the sport was invented, and dominated for most of its history, by les Anglo-Saxons.

And of course we all know who will make sure he gets the credit: Nicolas Sarkozy. France's new number one rugby fan leaped out of his seat in the Cardiff stadium and danced at his team's first try. "This was a match for history," he told the players in the changing room after. "In 20 years people will say 'I was there'."  The implicit message was: "Under Sarko, France wins."

I'd prefer to see the epic victory as an illustration of the old saying, Impossible n'est pas français. But Sarko already purloined that for his campaign slogan last sping: "Tomorrow, everything becomes possible."

Next weekend France meets England in the semi-final. They are playing it modest today, sayng that it won't be a walk-over. But, after beating England in two friendlies just before the cup, France should make it to the last round. If they then manage to win, there will be no stopping the jubilation. 

Comments

[Nick Moore]

We haven't been introduced, so I hesitate to call you Charles. Nevertheless I follow your blog regularly & generally agree with your opinions.
However, you say "I jogged up the Avenue de la Grande Armée" ... oh dear and I thought you were civilised. Could you perhaps substitute the word "strolled" in future, even if it's a little while lie ?

[You are right, Nick, if I may call you that. No excuse, but I have been a runner all my life since cross country at school and find that it's a way of ironing out the effects of other less correct indulgences, especially in middle age. But I'll say strolling in the future, which is about the speed I run. CB]

[Sebastian]

What a great atmosphere we had that night in Cardiff ! I just can't believe how unlucky is NZ with World Cup. They have the best team in the world, barely won every single game they have played for 4 years but just can't make it in a World Cup.

I think NZ should just play test matches and Tri-Nation.

Anyway, I hope France will kick some english bottom next Saturday. But I'm a bit afraid know they are huge favourites they gonna have much more pressure than they had yesterday. In all sports, France is never as good as when it plays as underdog.

[Valentin]

Sebastian is right. NZ is the best team, but then it blunders just when it should confirm; France is among the best teams, but only plays well as the underdog; England are a very good team, but somehow still look for their identity.
The same zoo in soccer, which brought Greece to win the European cup last time, and Italy playing nothing at all and winning last World cup.
What a circus!

[Sandrine]

"Were you out on the streets Dominique? Has anybody got THAT PICTURE of Sandrine? :)"

Valentin, I'm gonna answer you here as the Cardiff's victory thread is here.

I bet Dominique was outside but for the Nuit blanche, I bet that he didn't even watch the game...

Concerning "THAT PICTURE", may I remind you that this is not the FINAL victory ? There are still two matches to play and we can still lose against Argentina for our last match ! Wouldn't it be fun ? La boucle serait donc bouclée...

Anyway Valentin,victory or not, please, read my lips : THERE WILL BE NO PICTURE OF SANDRINE parading half-naked in the streets of Washington ! héhé, non mais... BUT if YOU went out, let's say, shirtless, why not ! Please send the picture to this email address if you're too shy to send it to Charles : sandrine1978@gmail.com.

I'd appreciate that, thanks !! ;o)

And you Terry, who were you rooting for ? And the million dollar question, who will you root for ? England or France ? If you choose France, please send the picture of you shirtless to the email address aforementioned. ;o)

[Jorg Andersen]

It was truly a great match. Not so much the rugby itself, which was a bit muddy, but the extraordinary demonstration of spirit that the French showed. You're right, that cheeky face-down in the Haka probably rattled the Kiwis.

[Dominique]

Sandrine,

You're right! I was hoping a All Blacks victory in order to avoid having Laporte on television screen for a month, yelling sheeps doing as they are told in the streets...and more.

Unfortunatly, politics will now try to swallow this victory. Les bleus are no longer the french team, they are the UMP team. As Charles writes, "The implicit message was: "Under Sarko, France wins."".Pathetic!

I therefore do not considere France to have beaten the All Blacks, but the private Rugby team of the UMP to have beaten the allblacks. Let's move to London and start building the team of the "free rugby"! Let's call that "l'appel du 7 octobre! "

I feel like a rabbit!

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/haka/video/x34lby_le-haka-des-lapins-cretins_fun

[JackieZ]

Vous avez raison, Monsieur Charles. Ca nous fait un bien fou de descendre les onglish et leurs ex-colonies.

[Sandrine]

ah la la, elle est excellente cette vidéo Dominique ! I was "lol-ing" all along !

So you feel like this rabbit ? Did you have some problems in the locker rooms when you were a student ??? ;o)

Ok, I'm just teasing you don't worry.

You're right concerning the UMP team, but I'm not sure people think the same. Time will tell us of course, but I'm sure they believe the TEAM alone had the passion and the strength to win that game, not Laporte nor Sarkozy. Even if the first one had the good idea to let Michalak enter the game a the right moment.

[Nick Moore]

I suppose I'm in the happy position now where whoever wins next weekend I can claim to be on the winning side. But as I skived off cross country at school my lack of patriotism and moral fibre is only to be expected.
P.S. Nick is totally acceptable.

[John]

So Charles Bremner, which side will you be on next Saturday? You're English, right? (or is it Scots? can't remember)

[I'll be rooting for France. I'm half Scottish half Australian (one parent from each and childhood spent in both countries), so I have one team left in the running -- at least until later tonight. CB]

[rocket]

Charles

"After all the talk of decline and the feeling that France has lost out and can't do things right any more, its team has beaten the favourites."

Are you speaking only about sport?

That's great that France won in World Cup Rugby, but what does that have to do with the deficit and an ailing economy in need of reform.

Rather propoganda ... ish and we need to keep sport in it's place and the economy in it's place.

PS - Wasn't that Cecilia Sarkozy disguised as a French rugby player who scored the winning goal for France?

[rocket]

Dominique

"You're right! I was hoping a All Blacks victory in order to avoid having Laporte on television screen for a month, yelling sheeps doing as they are told in the streets...and more."

You really should be guillotined! Bring it back now! Not even supporting your country

Even if Laporte is selling condoms on TV, he seems to be doing something right for the moment.

[Valentin]

Well that was said all along, Sarko turning around the rugby team, Laporte, son copain and running mate and his future minister, all this was yet another big bet Sarko took.
As usual (the electoral campaign, the EU treaty, "l'ouverture" etc) he saw right, his choices were right, his money on the right people.
Just like some blame him for his "bad" company, the same should praise him now for the good one. But no, just some more nag nag nag. Yawn.
Sam, put on a bet for me will you, 10 to 1 Dominique supported NZL just to see Sarko suffer.

[Valentin]

Sandrine:
"please, read my lips : THERE WILL BE NO PICTURE"

A sad day for mankind! Oh come on, be a good sport Sandrine, just this once :P after France beats those Scots in the final, ok :)

"BUT if YOU went out, let's say, shirtless, why not !"

Shhht, I'll see what I can do, but keep your voice down please, or else Maggie will come forth in defence of the high morality and seriousness of the blog :)

[Valentin]

Silly me, m'sieur Dom here actually did support the sealanders.
Let the world crumble, if this can help "battre la Droite".
Oh well...

[Daniel Strohl]

Charles,

"it's a way of ironing out the effects of other less correct indulgences, especially in middle age".

!!! ?

[Dominique]

Valentin,

On what planet are you living? loosing a rugby match does not mean "the world crumble". That's so weird ...

More, the win does not make Laporte a better person. I am not going to be his fan just because of a win! That does not make sens. Once again, in what world do you live? a world where the "good" people are the ones who "win", and loosers are "bad"?

frghtening...

[christopher muir]

Politicians just adore a sporting victory. A defeat means that grim media headlines about economic problems etc. remain dominant. The Australians lost in their round to the Brits. Footage of the Australian Prime Minister reacting to the defeat showed a depressed man. He faces an election shortly, and a rugby triumph would have certainly helped his electoral prospects.

[Valentin]

Dominique:
"loosing a rugby match does not mean ..."

I'm sure you understood it's about the principle. Here, take Sandrine, fiery ségolèniste that she is :) she still supported her national team.
Or at least, so I understood !?

[Roger Goodacre]

Losing a match may not "make the world crumble", but by many accounts it can have measurable effects on general morale and the economy. One of the prime reasons for Harold Wilson's general election win in 1967, at a time when he was sinking in the polls, is thought to be England's football World Cup Victory in 1966.

The feel-good, or feel-bad, factor resulting from big sports triumphs/defeats appears to affect general behaviour: people consume more or less, procreate more or less etc. Expect a minor population surge if France manage to win the Cup..

Of course, besides introducing the game to France, we English were also chiefly responsible for France's shock win on Saturday. At least if you believe a poll conducted by the main New Zealand radio channel, where the main reason (55% of respondents) given for France's 'lucky' win was the English referee, who failed to spot a crucial forward pass etc etc.

[richard jones]

Mr. Goodacre,

You English, as usual, were nothing to do with taking rugby to France. As you are now very little to do with spreading your 'blunt instrument' version of a ball-handling sport to anywhere in Europe. France started Romania and Georgia, Wales, thru Carwyn James started Italy and Ireland started Portugal and Spain.
Rugby was largely started in France by Scottish seamen from the declining Scapa Flow installation (plus a few Welshmen from Swansea) in the French naval ports of Brest, La Rochelle, Toulon, Cherbourg during WWI (1914-1918).
So please use England when you mean England and stop subsetting the enormous talents of the other three under your nationality.
I shall be screaming for France next weekend, given that their 'politicisation' and chauvanism sportif is horrendous (Anglophone commentary perhaps) but they play with the ball. They do not stifle the opposition solely looking for the technical infringement penalty so little Jonny can stand there, looking like he's doing a dump an gather yet another exaggerated 3 points for some technical offence.
Stop using England when you might mean Britain and start playing rugby as it is supposed to be played.

[Valentin]

"Losing a match may not "make the world crumble", but by many accounts it can have measurable effects on general morale and the economy"

What Roger says is of course true, but I wish my sentence was only a metaphor. Not so, alas: after Sarkozy's election, some on the left hoped there will be mass demonstrations and unrest in the poor suburbs (and even acted on it), indeed like a sort of a revolution against the supposed dictator-to-be.

[Dominique]

Valentin,

In your mind maybe...Can you name those who "hoped" unrest in the suburbs? i can't.

maybe i can name some who "feared" (i did not), but that's different.

And finally, i really wish that politicians and journalist stop making such a noise about sport! Rugby, football etc... are just games, and that needs to be recalled. The more medias emphasize on imaginary pride at stake (i would say "enjeux démesurés" in french), the more people will get mad! The Haka versus blue white red french team was "édifiant" on that matter. that's playing with fire. The best way to avoid that, is early loss (or not even being qualified)

I saw a TV report last night about NewZealand after the match, the country was shown as if it were "in mourning for 4 days". How silly! Medias should not forget that some people actually believe what they say! I am sure the new zealand media are playing on it. That's pure mass manipulation and looking for problems where there is none!

"LOOSING A MATCH IS NOT A PROBLEM"

ouf!

Come on people, this is just a game! Unfortunatly, lots of financial issues at stakes since rugby was allowed to be professional. No surprise medias get mad...money is at stake...

i know, you don't like it, but i'll still repeat it : money spoils it all! ;=))

[Albert]

Richard Jones,
Calm down. I read the phrase 'introducing the game to France' to mean that England invented the game. Besides, can you personally guarantee there were no English people involved in the actual introduction of Rugby in France? I thought not.

[Roger Goodacre]

Robert Jones - your knowledge of French rugby history is sadly deficient. Rugby was already very well established in France by WWI: the first club was Le Havre Athlétique Club, founded in 1872 by two Englishmen, I'm afraid, and in the same year the English Taylors Club began playing in Paris.

The Stade Français and Racing Club de France came on the scene in the 1880s, and the game then began to spread down to the south-west in the 1890s. The first Championnat de France took place in 1892, France played its first international in 1906, and
by the time of WWI, at least 60 clubs were in existence.

The Baron de Coubertin is known to have been a big rugby enthusiast, and visited Rugby School, where the game originated in 1823, on several occasions. He refereed the first cup final in France.

As for styles of play - my Welsh friends are still sobbing into their Brains, wondering about how they could have been so dumb as to fling the ball around against Fiji and try to play them at their own game.. And Scotland's repetitive up-and-unders against Argentina weren't noticeably successful. Oh well, four more years, as they say!

Dominique - you obviously haven't travelled to sports-obsessed countries, for instance New Zealand, Australia, S Africa or India, Pakistan. It may be unbelievable, even immature, in your eyes, or just one of the evils of the British colonial heritage, but sport - notably rugby, cricket, swimming (Aus) - in those countries is a deeply-rooted part of everyday culture, among both sexes, somewhat in the way that food is in France. Unexpected defeat is truly a major catastrophe, which can have economic and even political repercussions.

Here endeth the rugby lesson.

[rocket]

Dominique

"i know, you don't like it, but i'll still repeat it : money spoils it all! ;=))"

So then work for free

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkRIbUT6u7Q

[Sandrine]

"Shhht, I'll see what I can do, but keep your voice down please"

Haha ! Ok ok I'll keep my voice down...and don't forget to see what you can do !

"Sandrine, fiery ségolèniste that she is :) she still supported her national team. Or at least, so I understood !?"

Are you kidding me ? Do you think that I've stopped loving my country just because Sarko won the presidency ? pfff, Valentin, I thought you knew me quite well now...

BUT, I have to say that I don't really agree with the way Sarko "vampirise" all the people around him who have success. I mean it's normal for a President to push the national team whenever there's a big event coming, even Chirac did it, but to name the coach as a Minister ? What the...? Can you imagine if Chirac had put Aimé Jacquet as minister ? That would be stupid ! And it's the same for Laporte. Arrêtons de tout mélanger !

So when you say "Sarko turning around the rugby team, Laporte, son copain and running mate and his future minister, all this was yet another big bet Sarko took. ", you're wrong, it's not a big bet, every president would have done the same ! Sans pour autant aller jusqu'à proposer un poste de ministre, faut pas déc... non plus !

[Valentin]

"I mean it's normal for a President to push the national team"

We agree on this, and of course Chirac didn't go that far, but the truth is Sarkozy and Laporte know each other for some time now, it goes beyond running together. Since I saw them together on Canal+, I believe there is real mutual respect between them.

The big bet was to appoint Laporte BEFORE the tournament, and to pointedly support him after the Argentinian defeat. If there's something to like in Sarko, is this brazen, stubborn way to do certain things he's sure he's right about.
But this is a kind of a fan opinion, so I'll stop here :)

[Valerie]

"This was a match for history," he told the players in the changing room after. "In 20 years people will say 'I was there'." The implicit message was: "Under Sarko, France wins."

Uh, where in the phrase you quote here (uttered by Sarko) does he imply that he was in any way responsible for the win?

He's right. People who are fans of the game will talk about it later.

How do you interpret that as self-agrandizing?

Poor Sarko. He can't get a break. Could it be because he's not a Lefty? Or is this once again his 'little man syndrome' acting up for all to see?

LOL

[Pierre Mudry]

quote Sandrine:2Can you imagine if Chirac had put Aimé Jacquet as minister ? That would be stupid ! And it's the same for Laporte. Arrêtons de tout mélanger"

so you would have another énarque at the head of the ministry rather than a guy who actually knows how sport works in France because he is/was a great sportman/coach ? that's just beyond me.

[Ros]

"But, after beating England in two friendlies just before the cup, France should make it to the last round. If they then manage to win, there will be no stopping the jubilation." Really, Charles, I can't believe my eyes - what a pessimistic phrase to end with - I believe that, like myself, you were born & bred in uk & yet you're predicting a French win (rather like the election polls) - I too was married to a Frenchman & my sons are half french but shall be putting out the Union Jack if we win (as will a British diplomat who lives on the ground floor of my building!

[Sandrine]

Well Pierre, it seems to me that besides énarques and coaches, there are other people who can be ministers. It's not because your team won the gold medal in the Olympics or the World Cup that you're able to be a minister.

There are also other things to take into account, but if that's beyond you, well what can I say...

Once again, let's not mix everything. Because, I tell you guys, we'll finally see Johnny Hallyday as Ministre de la Culture. ça nous pend au nez !! ;o)

[Dot KING]

Oh dear, mon dieu, sacred blue, how you say? and name of a dog!
Please, oh please, French bloggers, "looser" and "loose" are not words that have anything to do with not being a winner.
You mean "lose" or "losers" whether you're talking sportif ou politique.
"Loose" is an adjective which means "pas serré", looser is the comparative of it and would mean "moins serré" in French. Also you pronounce the "s" as if it were "ss".
To "lose" is a verb, a "loser" is the noun from the verb, applied to someone who doesn't win, or in familiar language someone who is "neither use nor ornament". The "s" is pronounced as though it were a "z".
Perhaps because the NZ rugby team played a "loose" game, they ended up as "losers". (phrase échantillon, pas un avis sportif).
Maybe les Bleus will be "losers" before long, but let's hope they play a nice "tight" game and the English a "loose" one.
Whoever pays a "loose" game will have "lost" and they'll be the "losers".
Vous m'excuserez, c'était plus fort que moi. Voilà, j'ai vidé mon sac orthographique!
Allez les Bleus!!

[Dot KING]

Roselyne Bachelot is the present minister for sport and went to her first football match ever with Sarkozy just after his election. She's in the job with a background of political experience only, and apparently not even much interest in sport. Does Laporte know sport or is he an expert on rugby only? And will this expertise still be recognised if France doesn't win?
And is there anyone out there who can tell what he says? I'm not talking accent here - the S/W accent is lovely. Like Mme Thatcher before him, if he's to do any public speakin', an express course at Saatchi & Saatchi is needed. And surely he needs to be convincing in some other way before he can be in the government? Yet another non-elected appointment . . .

[thinknoworpaylater]

once again dominique is at least partly right. money is certainly apart of sport today. but there is more to the importance of sport than simply money. the excessive nationalism , the obsession with identity politics is also to blame. he is right its just a game. the economic future of france will not be solved by winning or losing at rugby. sarkozy may score a few points in the opinion polls but it wont change anything really. lets hope something useful comes out from his policies but i dont think sport will change much else though i do like watching it.

[Sigognac]

What I liked with that game and "good" rugby in general is the drama, the combat, the upsets. Games where you stand on edge of your seat, swear and applaude.
France may loose or win, I just hope either will be done proudly.

[John Gregory Flinn]

Indeed Mr Bremner, it was a beautiful game to watch by both sides!

I remember watching old rugby game films at school as lessons on game tactics such as 'scissors-passing', drop-kicking and controlling the scrum. I'm positive that that game last sunday will be used in future as a lesson on game tactics.

I'm going to watch the England match with friends, and will be rooting for France.

ROS - you seem to confuse Britain and the Union Jack with England. Neither apply.
However, talking of form let's see how the Argentine form with France works out.

[azloon]

[You mean "lose" or "losers" whether you're talking sportif ou politique] Dot

Dot, i think you need to losen up a bit, and cut these francophones some slack. otherwise you seem to be a looser yourself, uptight when lose would be better, more indulgent, charitable.

of course, you may be a lose woman yourself, in which case i would like photos and an email address.

otherwise, let's just cut our loses, and get loost in the next blog topic.

Sandrine -- you must have found a sports bar in adams-morgan to watch the rugby games. i sure hope you were not a lose woman during the celebration, 'flashing' the male crowd upon france's victory. remember this blog has exclusive rights to your naked world rugby cup celebration.

[azloon]

re: jogging, CB, cross-country, hangovers

agree totally with CB about value of jogging, tho have stopped it myself (i play racquetball instead which is less boring). but did do it, off and on, for 45 years since my high school cross- country expereince (can you say 'sideache?').

one can extend one's pleasureful drinking experiences by decades by learning the exercise antidote to excessive etoh consumption and cigar smoking. so it's well worth the effort, imnsho.

so in many ways, sarko is wasting many of the benfits of jogging by not consuming rather large amounts of alcohol in conjunction with his running. oh well.

as a good friend tells me too frequently: DIET, EXERCISE, DIE ANYWAY.

[Terry]

"And you Terry, who were you rooting for ? And the million dollar question, who will you root for ? England or France ?"

I am very upset the US team did not win this year. I fully expected an American upsest in France. Years ago, I played on a team that had a couple eagles. I will root for England, I guess, since I am a bit of an anglophile. But France should win. I loved that chip kick to the wing sidee with the French flyhalf last week. Especially, since I used to be a wing and I would only get the ball 4-5 times a game. I've been getting the games pay per view.

You don't have to wait to see me shirtless, Sandrine. Here I am:

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/1742644/2/istockphoto_1742644_buff_guy.jpg

[Dominique]

Dot king

dont act; i meant "to lose" and not "to loose" of course.

but loosing is no tragedy either...

[Dot KING]

to each and all: consider me well and truly losened!

[Ros]

John Gregory Flinn : You're indeed right - I'll have to put out a Saint George's Flag (more correctly known as a Saint George's Cross Flag) - if I can find one, that is ..

[Robert Marchenoir]

"Sarko is wasting many of the benfits of jogging by not consuming rather large amounts of alcohol in conjunction with his running."

Rrrright. Just as the missus is saving loads of cash by snapping up these cute outfits she would never have bought had they not been on sale.

[Valentin]

"You don't have to wait to see me shirtless, Sandrine. Here I am"

Darn, that's exactly what I was looking for myself, to show off with ! :)
Oh well, I'll have to find another one ! (A)

[Sandrine]

Well well, thanks Terry. Obviously, there's more than meets the eye ! ;o)

I knew you would prefer England, that's fair, no problem with that. I think it's fifty-fifty, each team can win. The English can win, especially if they cheat, which we all know they'll do !! lol (ok, for the record, I'm JUST KIDDING GUYS !). Anyway, I hope it won't rain the day of the game !!

Azloon,
"you must have found a sports bar in adams-morgan to watch the rugby games"

Absolutely not. I didn't pay to watch the game on the internet and I didn't go to a bar to watch it. I think I'll go for the final if we win our next game. There's a nice bar on M Street in Georgetown, I guess I could go there. And have some fun !! IF they don't show some stupid American football game instead of course...

"i sure hope you were not a lose woman during the celebration, 'flashing' the male crowd"

Oh boy, I see that the chief of the "Affreux Jojo" is back ! What kind of women do that ? I'm a serious woman you know, even if I don't show it all the time on this blog, but that I am ! lol, so "flashing my... things" would certainly never cross my mind, I'm sorry for you and for the rest of mankind !

Valentin, I'm still waiting for the picture, weren't you in the streets of Paris last saturday night ? Dancing and singing our national anthem "à plein poumons" ? Kissing men and women you barely knew ? lol

"Vous m'excuserez, c'était plus fort que moi. Voilà, j'ai vidé mon sac orthographique!"

Oh gosh, I've got to be very careful, the English Maître Capello has arrived on this blog !! ;o)

[azloon]

[ boy, I see that the chief of the "Affreux Jojo" is back ! What kind of women do that ? I'm a serious woman you know, even if I don't show it all the time on this blog, but that I am ! lol, so "flashing my... things" would certainly never cross my mind, I'm sorry for you and for the rest of mankind!] Sndrine

yes, dear Sandrine, you must feel deep sympathy for the piteous male of our species -- so myopic and obsessive re female sexuality, especially about tits. but, may i suggest mardi gras in new orleans (or rio de janiero) for an opportunity to flaunt one (two ?) of the most compelling female physical attributes. no rugby victory necessary. just a large jolt of libido, and a crowd of men willing to toss strings of beads at the 'goddess' exhibitionists.

it's fun to joke with you about all this. i just hope the french ambassador to the u.s. has a good sense of humor. sarko, your philosophical nemesis, and ultimate boss, would certainly approve.

o o

:)

[pouet]

"as a good friend tells me too frequently: DIET, EXERCISE, DIE ANYWAY."

I didn't know this one. I just knew: "diet is "to die" with a "t".

[Pierre Mudry]

Sandrine, maybe i was a bit "virulent", but i prefer to have a guy who actually knows anything about sport at the helm of the sport ministry (especisally since bachelot is an ex pharmacist) than another useless politician. and at least Bernie le dingue doesn't know what langue de bois means!

[Valentin]

Flashing, flashing... I reject all kind of derogatory meaning here, *I* would certainly be flashing, were there any point to it at all! Flashing is a nice, even great thing to do, especially on certain, rather particular situations (as in proudly parading on the streets of Washington in a Liberty lady outfit, celebrating a fine sporting event!)

('Course I was in the streets, Miss S ! Picture coming soon, as soon as all copyrights are in order ! :) )

[Sandrine]

Azloon,

"may i suggest mardi gras in new orleans"

I actually would like to see if women really act in a crazy way during "Mardi gras". And I've got to try those wonderful "beignets" too. So New Orleans is definitely a must-see.

[Pierre]

Pierre, how did you know my nickname used to be Bernie?

[Dot KING]

Bachelot an ex-pharmacist - just right then for sports minister!!

[azloon]

[I actually would like to see if women really act in a crazy way during "Mardi gras". And I've got to try those wonderful "beignets" too. So New Orleans is definitely a must-see.] Sandrine

my son went to university in new orleans and reported to me that a female high school friend of his he'd invited to mardi gras couldn't seem to seem to stop drinking 'sazaracs' (popular N.O. drink) or to keep to her shirt on. she left town with many plastic beads and a hangover.

someday, when she's been nominated for the chairmanship of this or that someone will offer to sell her the photos they took of her from the balconies on bourbon street.

[Sam Young]

For all you betting fans out there, and no doubt you are many, the odds on France winning are 1.33 (put down 100 euro, stand to win 33 + 100 euro), and the odds on England winning are 3.25. Humm, seems a bit harsh against England. Money to make here perhaps.

[peter kinsley www.peterkinsley.com]

From The Storyteller (www.peterkinsley.com) one which combines rugby and French cuisine: Beziers were champions of France, and in a village not too far away a team supporter had a cockerel, which he intended to take to the next big match (as in the film Allez France!) but the noisome bird awoke the whole village at dawn (at Sparrow-fart as the British say) until they were forced to sign a petition to silence it. The owner was visited by the Gendarmes who asked if he invited his family to Sunday lunch. "We can tell you," they said "what is on the menu next Sunday." "What is that?" the rugby fan asked. "Coq au vin. Kill it, marinade it, and cook and serve it next Sunday. If you don't, you will be in jail on Monday."