News
- Un Clásico sin dos Clásicos For the first time in fifteen years, there won't be Casillas or Xavi in El Clasico Time moves on
- Police in Hannover: 'There were concrete plans to bring about an explosion' German Belgian friendly got cancelled due to this
- Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic: I've sent Denmark into retirement Zlatan is Zlatan
- Manchester United put on alert as Neymar's father warns that Brazil superstar could quit Barcelona over tax issues in Spain
Wayment, can't he just... pay the tax?
Pictures
L'equipe had this on their cover today.
Telegraph
England - France (friendly)
The French FFF told the English FA that the friendly was on, and they wanted Wembly to host it.Never mind that France and England have been enemies since the 12th century, way before football, and modern rivalry.
So, the FA said yes and got to work. Prince William, who has football as one of his Royal Patronages, showed up. A programme of events organised posthaste, because no one does ceremony like the English. Our football is a whole other story
The French players were overwhelmed. They didn't want to play the match at first, but the head of the FFF demanded it, and they came around to the idea. It helps that 13 of the French players currently play for English teams, so the players knew the country and the language in passing
Wembley Stadium bedecked in French colours and the French motto
Like I said, a lot of French players have connections to English teams, so a few smiles and hugs were exchanged
The players stood together, their colours and kits combining into a mosaic
Then stood in a circle, the minute of silence so pure, you heard ventilation shafts and the flutter of flags on the wind
Supporters
London has a HUGE French population, so it was easy for English supporters to find a flag. A lot of them were studying the French national anthem on the phone - and the Independent helpfully(?) pointed out how the French anthem had the same spirit as Isis State. Say what now?
When the French heard that the game was on, they came. From the boroughs of London, and across the channel
The English greeted them with the tricolor. Nevermind Waterloo, eh?
Thank goodness the French was there, because we butchered the anthem!
Pictures of the Game
The score didn't matter
Lloris and Dier exchanged hugs. It was Dier's first start (he did well), and what a game to get his start in
It was a game of gestures, big and small
Really small
Dele Alli got his first international start and his first international goal! The lad is on fire. He made a right hash of things 19 mins into the game, and wanted to 'set it right' and came through at 45 mins in
The game done, hugs all around.
Thanks to the people who came
I have to put this picture here. Considering that the French NT have yet to see their families since Friday, and these two guys were personally affected by the events (in varying degrees) to show up and play-- props. I'd be curled up in the corner, eating my hair
OP: done! Sorry, my internet has been bugging for the past week.
