French citizens revel in soccer glory

IT has been a more than a week since France erupted in joy after clinching the 2018 Soccer World Cup, with fans streaming into the streets of Paris and flying the tricolour flag in delerious celebration.

Here in Durban North, the feeling of euphoria and ‘joie de vivre’ has yet to dissipate. We spoke to local residents and French citizens about what the country’s world cup win meant to them.

Elham Hatfield and David Bourgois were among a group of French citizens that revelled in their team’s triumph.

“It was absolutely beautiful. I remember when we won 20 years ago and the joy felt by French citizens around the world. But this win from ‘Les Bleus’ was magnificent. I phoned my family back in Paris to celebrate the news as well,” she said.

Hatfield added her favourite player of the tournament was teenage sensation, Kylian Mbappé.

“It was like watching an artist on the field. He was wonderful to watch and to see him make history was even sweeter,” she said.

For Bourgois, whose family hails from Nice, the win was also sweet.

“I was rooting for them from the beginning as I always felt they would lift the cup. The first few matches did test us as supporters but from the Round of 16 stage to the final, they were phenomenal. I was hoarse once the final whistle blew because I was so excited. I phoned my brother, who is a massive football fan and we celebrated. It’s an important win for us as a country,” he said.

He added he would now need to order a new football jersey following the win.

“I still have the old football jersey which had one star over the ‘Le coq gaulois’ (the Gallic rooster) from our previous world cup win. Now it’s time to get an upgrade,” Bourgois said.

For more from Northglen News follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follow us Instagram