France, je t'aime (102)
- 17 Oct 07, 11:17 AM
Paris - 鈥淐apture the atmosphere in Paris,鈥 cry the emails from the bosses back in Blighty.
Well, on the Wednesday before play in the World Cup final, is as Paris always is.
Lots of pretty women smoking and nibbling on croissants, lots of big-haired men looking magnificent in expensive sports jackets and shades. And not a Zulu-era Red Coat in sight.
Quick as a flash, a striking image kicks its way into my head: somewhere in London, a married City worker sits down to his breakfast.
All of a sudden, he flings his plate across the kitchen, grabs his wife by the lapels and roars, 鈥淚鈥檓 leaving you, you hag鈥, before storming upstairs and changing into his chain-mail fancy dress outfit.
Off he then marches to catch the first out of Waterloo before roaming the streets of the French capital for three days in the lead-up to the big match, stopping every now and again to knight someone with his plastic sword.
Apologies, but that鈥檚 not going to happen. But don鈥檛 fret bosses, the fans will come. Just not quite yet.
That鈥檚 not to say France and the travelling hordes have not embraced this tournament wholeheartedly, as the statistics show.
An all-time record of 18.3m viewers watched France play England in last weekend鈥檚 while matches have been 94% sold out across the whole of the tournament.
Twenty-eight million litres of beer have been sunk, while hoteliers reported that turnover was up by approximately 拢78m in September alone.
But, as a wise old man once said, "statistics schmatistics".
For those who have been lucky enough to witness this World Cup first-hand, it has been far more emotional, far more visceral than mere numbers can convey.
Yes, the French have packed out the grounds, but they鈥檝e done far more than just turn up and watch.
As anyone who saw Argentina v Namibia in or Samoa v USA in a murky will tell you, the French public have lived every game, throwing themselves into the event with pride and gay abandon.
A brass band at every match (cricket guv鈥檔ors take note), a charming love of the underdog, the earnest cheer that answers, without fail, every trumpeter鈥檚 trill.
Face paint, fancy dress, the French supporting England, the English supporting France, Celts supporting England, the English supporting the Celts.
In Marseille for the quarter-finals, it was as if Terry Gilliam had been given carte blanche to direct a Benetton advert - multi-national carnage on a grand, ultra-surreal scale, and, mugging aside, not a hint of trouble.
And then there鈥檚 the more prosaic stuff: trams and trains that run on time, adequate directions, special car parks for the dear old Bloggernaut鈥nd smoking!
Yes, smoking! In the press box! Not something Tommy would have on his list, but very handy when England are losing to France in a World Cup semi with five minutes to go.
Non-alcoholic lager in every ground? Now that鈥檚 not ideal. But when every ground is surrounded by scores of beer tents knocking out the proper stuff, it ceases to be much of an issue.
In truth, I can鈥檛 imagine England ever being gripped by the event in quite the same way. In fact, I鈥檝e spoken to people who attended the in 1999 and they tell me the vibe in the group stages was often dismal.
Ireland 14-10 Georgia - now there was nothing dismal about that. Barely a peep from the Irish fans for the last 20 minutes but what a racket stirred up by the locals鈥
For Tommy and me (who corrected my grammar on this the other day? Well done!), it has been a trip that has exceeded all expectations. This country and its people have done a number on us and made it so that it will be very difficult to return home.
Not really into staging big events? Do me a favour, they should give every Rugby World Cup to France from here on in.
Ben Dirs is a 大象传媒 Sport journalist travelling around France in a camper van with Tom Fordyce.
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I was in France (sadly) only for the warm up game in Marseilles where despite my earnest pre-game shouts of encouragement to Mr Farrell we were awful...
We will be back for the Heineken Cup as we do every year (come on Toulouse!)
You simply cannot beat France as a rugby venue - time and cash has prevented me from getting out there but Bl^&ddy hell - I think a lot more people will be looking for tickets in Paris next spring :)
New Zealand should not be allowed to devalue the tournament by eliminating "minnows"... the tournament needs to grow - yea bring in a Vase/Plate competition for the people knocked out in the pool stages!
Let's get rugby played every 4 years for every country who can get there - if you have ever visited a social rugby tournament the world over - you cannot beat it...
rugby fans are awesome people - and when the local populace are rugby nuts too - heaven!
When that country is warm, with great food and enlightened laws on fags (speaking as a non-smoker) and booze
BLISS
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I was in France (sadly) only for the warm up game in Marseilles where despite my earnest pre-game shouts of encouragement to Mr Farrell we were awful...
We will be back for the Heineken Cup as we do every year (come on Toulouse!)
You simply cannot beat France as a rugby venue - time and cash has prevented me from getting out there but Bl^&ddy hell - I think a lot more people will be looking for tickets in Paris next spring :)
New Zealand should not be allowed to devalue the tournament by eliminating "minnows"... the tournament needs to gorw - yea bring in a Vase/Plate competition for the people knocked out in the pool stages!
Let's get rugby played every 4 years for every country who can get there - if you have ever visited a social rugby tournament the world over - you cannot beat it...
rugby fans are awesome people - and when the local populace are rugby nuts too - heaven!
When that country is warm, with great food and enlightened laws on fags (speaking as a non-smoker) and booze
BLISS
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I love France, I love the French,I love everything about the place. I am learning the lingo and planning to move over there next year.
I'll need to change my log in name:
How about,
"Pierre le ros beuf en France!"
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I was there for two weeks supposedly following Ireland but taking in 6 matches, had a great time and all the random matches attended were great fun, and even sitting just off the old port in Marseiles or in the square in Montpelier the atmosphere was brilliant. getting interviewed by Argentinian TV at ARG Namibia match while one of the brass bands went mental behind me dressed in my Ireland geat was great...the atmosphere was so so good and all of it being bought into by the french.
Heading to St. Denis on Saturday and really looking forward to yet more hairs standing on end as the crowd kicks off...evebn the awful Mexican waves are acceptable here!
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I was there for two weeks supposedly following Ireland but taking in 6 matches, had a great time and all the random matches attended were great fun, and even sitting just off the old port in Marseiles or in the square in Montpelier the atmosphere was brilliant. getting interviewed by Argentinian TV at ARG Namibia match while one of the brass bands went mental behind me dressed in my Ireland geat was great...the atmosphere was so so good and all of it being bought into by the french.
Heading to St. Denis on Saturday and really looking forward to yet more hairs standing on end as the crowd kicks off...evebn the awful Mexican waves are acceptable here!
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Dirsy and Tommy,
Very proud you've made it nearly all the way to the final without getting pulled out. Like the England team you have grown in stature on each occasion, you've had your knockers ("jumping the shark" was a phrase I had to learn when talking about you early on in the competition) but this seems to have galvanised you as a team and made you stronger, together. The Ubogu video just shows how far you've come, and taught us as readers if you dream, you can achieve anything.
I've decided I'm not going to pay my license fee anymore, I'm just going to hand it straight to you and let you do what the hell you want with it.
Ben, finally, do me a favour: try to get a rendition of "Therefore we before him bending" ringing out around the ground on Saturday night, failing that "Just like a prayer" Madonna.
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I was lucky enough to go see England vs Tonga at Parc de Princes and can safely say, regardless of how the match may have seemed on tv, it was brutally gripping stuff. Non-alcoholic beer aside, the whole experience was amazing. The huge English presence was to be expected, but the vast number of Frenchies supporting Tonga only fuelled a superb atmosphere, and they didn't seem disheartened when there adopted team lost. As for Rugby Town under the Eiffel Tower, that is siply the best place in the world. There need to be more rugby only pubs where people of all nationalities wear their colours, enjoy some rugby and drink the night away. Paris is Paris, but add rugby to the equation and somehow it becomes even greater!
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Following the success of my "Ode To Sebastien Chabal" I have now written "How To Stop A Man Like Habana" which I hope will bring more success to the English. You can find the both at
Hope you enjoy.
Come on England!!
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Couldn't agree more. If anyone hasn't managed to get to France yet, make sure you beg, borrow and steal to be in Paris on Saturday. The atmosphere has been magnificent, eptimosed by the thousands of English fans who descended upon the capital last weekend... Not an empty glass seen in the city!
The French have been extremely hospitable and haven't bumped up the prices of beer, food and cigarettes (unlike the English authorities for Euro 96) Football should take note!
I've just seen another reason to love the French. She's a beauty!
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Totally agree with you Ben!
I live and work in Paris, and cannot help feeling that the French have really gone for this tournament more wholeheartedly than might be expected back in Britain.
Not just in the grounds, but in the pubs and restaurants which have been packed out for games (in Paris at least), and why wouldn't they when beer (normally expensive) is on offer and restaurants have re-arranged their careful table layout so that all diners have a comfortable view of the game?
I can only guess that the Football WC of 98 has served as a good template, and everyone has been keen to replicate the experience, right up to France reaching the final and wi...oh, hang on a minute...
PS: To any fans killing time in Paris before Saturday: the rugby exhibition at the Marie (rue de rivoli) is well worth a visit, in French with English translations, it'll get you in the mood and it's free as well!
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I love France, the French and everything about the country. I am learning the lingo and will be moving over there next year!
I'll be changing my log in details. How about..
"Pierre le ros beouf en France"
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Good for the Frenchies! They know how to create atmosphere and lavish fine cheese and beverage on the guest.
You're going to miss the stinky baguette and cheap vino, Ben :)
Hoping for a thriller. ENjoy!
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Dirsy, top draw. If we can produce anything like this kind of atmosphere for the Olympics I will be very surprised. At the moment though I am more concerned with one question - should I be striding into the Stade de France on Saturday night in a St George outfit, or a Michael Caine Zulu red-coat? Decisions decision decisions...
p.s. any room in the Bloggernaut on Saturday night?
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Three words: You lucky sods. ;)
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See you in Paris boys, Ferry form Guernsey to St Malo friday afternoon,
tran to paris Saturday AM! Can't wait!!!
Allez le Blanc!
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On my visits to the world cup the French public have been fantastically enthusiastic but at times i've found the organisation woeful - the trains have been on strike on match days, no programmes for sale at the ground, no public parking provided, locked toilets outside the ground, non existent directions from the motorway. In terms of organisation there has certainly been no comparison to the 2006 football world cup in Germany (which was flawless). But then I suppose thats the French and the German characteristics for you!
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On my visits to the world cup the French public have been fantastically enthusiastic but at times i've found the organisation woeful - the trains have been on strike on match days, no programmes for sale at the ground, no public parking provided, locked toilets outside the ground, non existent directions from the motorway. In terms of organisation there has certainly been no comparison to the 2006 football world cup in Germany (which was flawless). But then I suppose thats the French and the German characteristics for you!
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I was there for two weeks supposedly following Ireland but taking in 6 matches, had a great time and all the random matches attended were great fun, and even sitting just off the old port in Marseiles or in the square in Montpelier the atmosphere was brilliant. getting interviewed by Argentinian TV at ARG Namibia match while one of the brass bands went mental behind me dressed in my Ireland geat was great...the atmosphere was so so good and all of it being bought into by the french.
Heading to St. Denis on Saturday and really looking forward to yet more hairs standing on end as the crowd kicks off...evebn the awful Mexican waves are acceptable here!
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Adequate directions? Is this taking into account the entertaining time you had getting intimate with the ring road instead of watching one of the earlier matches?
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France for 2015? I'm in! I've been to Nantes and Paris for matches, and somehow I can't imagine, say, Leicester and London embracing it in quite the same way. plus the weather, the cheap tickets, the food (rabbit casserole in mustard sauce vs pie and chips?), the 3am drinking *everywhere*, the cheap hotels...
34,000 people turning out to watch japan play canada anywhere in the uk? you'd be mad to think it could happen. give it to france again.
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See you in Paris boys, Ferry form Guernsey to St Malo friday afternoon,
tran to paris Saturday AM! Can't wait!!!
Allez le Blanc!
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I was in france for a week and watched 3 games :
Fiji v Japan
Ireland v Georgia
France v Namibia.
everyone was a belter the atmosphere was great. In the first and third games (which was watched by mainly french) there was humour and banter between supporters. At the Irish game the irish fans were bariating the ref (wayne barnes) and arguing amongst themselves for not singing or getting behind there team (only one rendition of the fields of athen rai) . At the end of the Namibian game the Nambians took a lap of honour despite being turned over by 80 pts the whole ground was chanting Nambia. Would the irish chant for georgia?
However on my travels, stays in hotels, lunches and evening meals i felt ripped off and segregated. We were English and i found the service and hospitality outside of the games quite dispicable. we were ripped off almost every time!!
Good tournament ne great, but as for the french people, i will not be hurrying back soon!!
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On my visits to the world cup the French public have been fantastically enthusiastic but at times i've found the organisation woeful - the trains have been on strike on match days, no programmes for sale at the ground, no public parking provided, locked toilets outside the ground, non existent directions from the motorway. In terms of organisation there has certainly been no comparison to the 2006 football world cup in Germany (which was flawless). But then I suppose thats the French and the German national characteristics for you!
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I was there for two weeks supposedly following Ireland but taking in 6 matches, had a great time and all the random matches attended were great fun, and even sitting just off the old port in Marseiles or in the square in Montpelier the atmosphere was brilliant. getting interviewed by Argentinian TV at ARG Namibia match while one of the brass bands went mental behind me dressed in my Ireland geat was great...the atmosphere was so so good and all of it being bought into by the french.
Heading to St. Denis on Saturday and really looking forward to yet more hairs standing on end as the crowd kicks off...evebn the awful Mexican waves are acceptable here!
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I was in france for a week and watched 3 games :
Fiji v Japan
Ireland v Georgia
France v Namibia.
everyone was a belter the atmosphere was great. In the first and third games (which was watched by mainly french) there was humour and banter between supporters. At the Irish game the irish fans were bariating the ref (wayne barnes) and arguing amongst themselves for not singing or getting behind there team (only one rendition of the fields of athen rai) . At the end of the Namibian game the Nambians took a lap of honour despite being turned over by 80 pts the whole ground was chanting Nambia. Would the irish chant for georgia?
However on my travels, stays in hotels, lunches and evening meals i felt ripped off and segregated. We were English and i found the service and hospitality outside of the games quite dispicable. we were ripped off almost every time!!
Good tournament ne great, but as for the french people, i will not be hurrying back soon!!
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I was there for two weeks supposedly following Ireland but taking in 6 matches, had a great time and all the random matches attended were great fun, and even sitting just off the old port in Marseiles or in the square in Montpelier the atmosphere was brilliant. getting interviewed by Argentinian TV at ARG Namibia match while one of the brass bands went mental behind me dressed in my Ireland geat was great...the atmosphere was so so good and all of it being bought into by the french.
Heading to St. Denis on Saturday and really looking forward to yet more hairs standing on end as the crowd kicks off...evebn the awful Mexican waves are acceptable here!
Complain about this comment
On my visits to the world cup the French public have been fantastically enthusiastic but at times i've found the organisation woeful - the trains have been on strike on match days, no programmes for sale at the ground, no public parking provided, locked toilets outside the ground, non existent directions from the motorway, inadequate catering, shops that don't open when they say they will. All small gripes but they add up to a general impression of poor organisation. There has certainly been no comparison to the 2006 football world cup in Germany (which was flawless). But then I suppose thats the French and the German national characteristics for you!
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I couldn't agree more and have been saying the same since me, the wife and our 2 grown up kids returned from Toulouse after some qualifiers. The Japan v Fiji game was sold out, mostly with French. They all avidly supported one team or the other and they all stayed behind 10 or 15 minutes after the final whistle to applaude both teams' during their lap of honour.
We also saw France v Namibia and after the Namibians scored their only try the French all chanted 'Namibie' rather than their own team.
Compare that with a dismal half empty Millenium stadium, even when Wales were playing, and with Twickenham, where the stadium is empty within 10 minutes of the final whistle, even if England have won.
The French organisation of the world cup has been superb and the generosity and hospitality of the French supporters and their passion for the game of rugby, not just their national side, should be applauded.
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Totally agree.
Been out twice and going again this weekend. The locals have really got involved although I had to discourage one chap's efforts to get a Mexican wave going after barely 10 minutes of the England v Samoa match (he was sitting in front of me and England were camped on their line at the other end of the stadium).
Excellent suggestion about plate/vase competition (#1). These matches could be double headers at the same stadium during the week so that people go to watch and there isn't a huge gap between matches in the knock-out stages.
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Actualy Ben, I do have a few bones of contention with your willingness to surrender all future events to the French. That been, in reality there have been many shortfalls in the standards amongst the organizers of this event
First off, those of us with "follow my team packages" had an absolute nightmare on Saturday afternoon prior to the France v England Semi. Try singing the praises of the organizers to those of us queuing for up to 3 hours and, frustratingly, until just 30 minutes before kick off in order to exchange our Vouchers for Tickets that, by the way, we paid for up to 18 months in advance in order to avoid these kind of problems.
Any visitor to the rugbyworldcup.com web site will be informed that all they have to do is turn up any time Friday or Saturday at gate X and show your passport and voucher and you will get your ticket. In reality, the tickets went to some unidentified pick up counter in the City (I still don鈥檛 know the location of this place) only to leave said location, on route to Stade Frances, 2 hours before kick-off. Now I'm no expert, but I imagine taking 2000 tickets by secure courier from the city centre to the stadium isn't going to be a 10 minute job. An lo and behold, it took 45 minutes. Our excitement when the tickets did finally turn up and issuance began quickly disolved when the "organizers" decided that the French should make one single row and the English another鈥︹. If you can imagine a game of rugby where 800 players per team jostle up for a lineout, dressed not just in their respective team colors but with Asterix shoulder charging Getafix into a confused Kiwi whilst Oblix accidently rear-ends his terrified pet chicken in the process. A gent in a bowler hat at this stage decides to refuse to surrender his prime position in the French side of the line out whilst St George is cracking Helen dAquitaine around the back of the head with his plastic sword for queue jumping. Needless to say, it was chaos. It was poorly organized. And it prevented me from having my usual pre-match beery sing-song.
Joking aside, if you are going for the final and have to exchange voucher for ticket, get their early and get a commitment from the organizers exactly where and when your ticket is/will be.
Secondly, what is this problem with transport in France? Why cant a city council arrange for a couple of hours worth of extra trains and busses when there is a world event been played fairly late into the evening? Taxi drivers had a field day. This "supporting of the local business" would have been acceptable if there had been more than 10 taxis in the whole of Paris!
The answer? - if you want to enjoy the post-match atmosphere and not get stranded, either get a hotel/dosshouse in the middle of the city where the action is or plan an all night session (trains start at 6am)
Lastly, and very close to my heart this week is the issue of tickets for the final. Fans opting for "follow my team" were led to believe that if their team got that far, they would be entered into a lottery with the other finalist team pack holders and would have a fairly good chance of "winning" an allocation of a ticket. This lottery did take place and it was a lottery for the "follow my team" holders. Unfortunately it took place 2 months ago and was between everybody in the world who took a package. This basically means that a huge majority of the "winners" are fans of non-successful teams with no interest or intention of going to the final. Will they exercise the right to buy a ticket? Of course they will - take a look at ebay and the going price for tickets and tell me you wouldn鈥檛! - so that is my last gripe; the ticketing system is designed to give no credit to loyal fans who have followed their teams through thick and thin (yes I was at the SA game!) but actively encourages Black Market reselling.
Gripes about the burocrats and organizers out of the way, I have to admit with a big smile on my face, that the French fans have been absolutely fantastic. Marseille now holds a special place in my heart as been the turning point for my Franco-phobia and it has even been suggested that I was heard singing the French national anthem at the top of my voice in the early hours (I would avidly deny this if it wasn鈥檛 for scarey flash backs I keep having of singing "Land of my Fathers". with a bunch of Welsh men. in an Irish bar. the preceding Friday!)
When the final whistle was blown last Saturday and French dreams were obliterated I was treated as if I had actually played the game myself. Having spent most of the match as a lone white shirt in amongst hundreds of le bleu, almost every French fan in my vicinity seemingly sought me out to shake my hand. Its quite humbling, but then again this is Rugby!
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We were in France for all of Ireland's group games which involved 2 weeks in Bordeaux followed by two consecutive weekends in Paris. France have put on a tremendous tournament, with great venues, great support and all the usual benefits you expect from any trip to France such as the food and wine etc.
The atmosphere at the two minnow games in Bordeaux was exceptional, not to mention Stade de France and Parc de Princes (even more surprising given the alcohol free beer). The Mabillon area of Paris is the place to be before and after any rugby match, but for the world cup they have gone the extra mile in creating a 'rugby village' for want of a better phrase.
Throughout the trip we had so many great evenings with rugby fans of all nations, but mixing with the French at their tournament gave it an added dimension.
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I couldn't agree more and have been saying the same since me, the wife and our 2 grown up kids returned from Toulouse after some qualifiers. The Japan v Fiji game was sold out, mostly with French. They all avidly supported one team or the other and they all stayed behind 10 or 15 minutes after the final whistle to applaude both teams' during their lap of honour.
We also saw France v Namibia and after the Namibians scored their only try the French all chanted 'Namibie' rather than their own team.
Compare that with a dismal half empty Millenium stadium, even when Wales were playing, and with Twickenham, where the stadium is empty within 10 minutes of the final whistle, even if England have won.
The French organisation of the world cup has been superb and the generosity and hospitality of the French supporters and their passion for the game of rugby, not just their national side, should be applauded.
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In full agreement too. Only managed to get to the Samoa game, but a fantastic weekend, with great hospitallity to boot! Highlights outside the game include standing in a square in Nantes watching Ireland/France outside John McByrne's Irish Pub, a real party atmosphere, and rousing reditions of every home nation anthem! And the casino in Dieppe who kindly put the NZ/Scotland game on the only screen available - a 30ft cinema screen in the ballroom, then proceeded to move a couple of sofas and coffee tables to the centre of the dancefloor, and then plied us with many local tipples! Roads clear of traffic on both friday and sunday afternoon. Small Pastis please!
C'est Manifique!
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Je l'aime aussi
Fantastic tournament run by fantastic people - English people have misunderstood the French for years. I am moving to the rugby heartland down south for a year just to learn the lingo and immerse myself in the culture. Real rugby people know all about courage and honour and humour and passion - and the most important thing is they love the game more than any one club. I hope English Rugby can keep this tradition but I have seen cracks appearing at some clubs as the periphery of the soccer followers get interested in Rugby. All rugby people unite to keep our long held traditions - work ard play hard and the battle stops at the white line
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Totally agree with you Ben!
I live and work in Paris, and cannot help feeling that the French have really gone for this tournament more wholeheartedly than might be expected back in Britain.
Not just in the grounds, but in the pubs and restaurants which have been packed out for games (in Paris at least), and why wouldn't they when beer (normally expensive) is on offer and restaurants have re-arranged their careful table layout so that all diners have a comfortable view of the game?
I can only guess that the Football WC of 98 has served as a good template, and everyone has been keen to replicate the experience, right up to France reaching the final and wi...oh, hang on a minute...
PS: To any fans killing time in Paris before Saturday: the rugby exhibition at the Marie (rue de rivoli) is well worth a visit, in French with English translations, it'll get you in the mood and it's free as well!
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Thank you Ben - you make me very proud - and a little home-sick. Just when I was beginning to feel English before Saturday's match and in response to some of the stupid, pathetic, vitriolic anti-English remarks in these pages over the last few days, I suddenly feel very French again.
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Following the success of my "Ode To Sebastien Chabal" I have now written "How To Stop A Man Like Habana" which I hope will bring more success to the English. You can find the both at
Hope you enjoy.
Come on England!!
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France for 2015? I'm in! I've been to Nantes and Paris for matches, and somehow I can't imagine, say, Leicester and London embracing it in quite the same way. plus the weather, the cheap tickets, the food (rabbit casserole in mustard sauce vs pie and chips?), the 3am drinking *everywhere*, the cheap hotels...
34,000 people turning out to watch japan play canada anywhere in the uk? you'd be mad to think it could happen. give it to france again.
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I couldn't agree more and have been saying the same since me, the wife and our 2 grown up kids returned from Toulouse after some qualifiers. The Japan v Fiji game was sold out, mostly with French. They all avidly supported one team or the other and they all stayed behind 10 or 15 minutes after the final whistle to applaude both teams' during their lap of honour.
We also saw France v Namibia and after the Namibians scored their only try the French all chanted 'Namibie' rather than their own team.
Compare that with a dismal half empty Millenium stadium, even when Wales were playing, and with Twickenham, where the stadium is empty within 10 minutes of the final whistle, even if England have won.
The French organisation of the world cup has been superb and the generosity and hospitality of the French supporters and their passion for the game of rugby, not just their national side, should be applauded.
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As an Irishman, I should really be looking back at this tournament shaking my head and kicking myself.
Not so.
I, along with a few friends, travelled to Paris for the game against France and, may I say, I have never experienced an atmosphere like it in my life.
All afternoon on the day of the game, I was treated to a spectacle of warmth and welcome which put to shame even the apparent legendary hospitality of my own homeland. Every Pub we visited had at least one French wag coming off with a witty jibe or several groups of rival fans exchanging friendly banter while buying each other drinks.
Everywhere we walked in that beautiful City, we were smiled at and greeted in a most pleasant manner by anybody from whom we happened to ask directions or order a coffee.
After the game itself (of which the less said, the better!) the friendliness continued as myself and my friends sat outside an Irish Pub in St Denis with a group of Frenchmen, assuring us that our boys would safely make it through the pool stages (what did they know!!), talking about everything and anything, and even singing together. The next day, I didn鈥檛 want to leave.
Ever since, watching the rest of the games on TV has been a constant reminder of how good a time it was and this, coupled with the vast array of exciting and engaging Matches spread across the whole tournament, has made it easily the best World Cup to date and one never to be forgotten.
I think everyone who has had the good fortune to have experienced this marvellous tournament in this wonderful country would agree with Ben. Give them all to France!
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I couldn't agree more and have been saying the same since me, the wife and our 2 grown up kids returned from Toulouse after some qualifiers. The Japan v Fiji game was sold out, mostly with French. They all avidly supported one team or the other and they all stayed behind 10 or 15 minutes after the final whistle to applaude both teams' during their lap of honour.
We also saw France v Namibia and after the Namibians scored their only try the French all chanted 'Namibie' rather than their own team.
Compare that with a dismal half empty Millenium stadium, even when Wales were playing, and with Twickenham, where the stadium is empty within 10 minutes of the final whistle, even if England have won.
The French organisation of the world cup has been superb and the generosity and hospitality of the French supporters and their passion for the game of rugby, not just their national side, should be applauded.
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We were in France for all of Ireland's group games which involved 2 weeks in Bordeaux followed by two consecutive weekends in Paris. France have put on a tremendous tournament, with great venues, great support and all the usual benefits you expect from any trip to France such as the food and wine etc.
The atmosphere at the two minnow games in Bordeaux was exceptional, not to mention Stade de France and Parc de Princes (even more surprising given the alcohol free beer). The Mabillon area of Paris is the place to be before and after any rugby match, but for the world cup they have gone the extra mile in creating a 'rugby village' for want of a better phrase.
Throughout the trip we had so many great evenings with rugby fans of all nations, but mixing with the French at their tournament gave it an added dimension.
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In full agreement too. Only managed to get to the Samoa game, but a fantastic weekend, with great hospitallity to boot! Highlights outside the game include standing in a square in Nantes watching Ireland/France outside John McByrne's Irish Pub, a real party atmosphere, and rousing reditions of every home nation anthem! And the casino in Dieppe who kindly put the NZ/Scotland game on the only screen available - a 30ft cinema screen in the ballroom, then proceeded to move a couple of sofas and coffee tables to the centre of the dancefloor, and then plied us with many local tipples! Roads clear of traffic on both friday and sunday afternoon. Small Pastis please!
C'est Manifique!
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I was lucky enough to get to France for the fated pool match against South Africa. Disappointing loss aside we had an absolute ball! Brilliant camaraderie and not only in Paris either. On our long journey from Dover to Paris (should it really take 12 hours?)we met some absolutely brilliant people, a french-canadian-swissman being the best character to cross our path.
I also had the good forutne of being able to get up to Edinburgh for the Scotland v NZ match and Cardiff for the quarter final. Edinburgh (and Glasgow) had such an absolutely brilliant atmosphere going on. Every rugby fan I met was just throwing themselves in to the reverie whole heartedly. I shall defnintely look back on that weekend fondly in years to come. I have to say that Cardiff was a little down in the mouth but that's only because every New Zealander under the sun had taken over the city.
I am unbelievably tempted to get on a boat/train/plane to France this weekend but due to lack of funds I shall have to make do with my local pub and even they have out done themselves to make this World Cup a truly special one.
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I went to all 4 of Ireland's group games, and it was an absolute priviledge to be in France, if not the watching Ireland part. My single, solitary complaint would be the crushes outside the gates at everyone of Ireland's matches - it took a lot longer to get into the grouns than it should, and it made for a dangerous enironment. Of course, it's rugby, so the worst didn't happen. But it could have.
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I came over for the Eng v Tonga, Wales v Fiji and Ireland v Argentina weekend going between Paris and Nantes and i can honestly say that i've never had a better weekend away for rugby. The french, i felt, had really made a massive effort to welcome everyone and get invovled in the tournament. Nantes was set up that weekend purely to accomodate the expected 20 thousand welshmen that were to descend and they did an amazing job, organised right from the minute you stepped out of the Gare. The stadiums were absolutely fantastic and as my friend and i were driving home, utterly exhausted on the Monday morning we realised that for the whole weekend, not once had we had to wait to get served a beer and we were in some pretty busy bars. France - Je vous en pris! Allez les Boks!!
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i have just returned from France having watched both semi-finals and have been in awe of both how France has put on such a great show and how they have acted with such grace in defeat on saturday night. It is typical,it seems,of rugby that men can support passionately their home nations yet hug and console after without any animosity. To their eternal credit i would like to thank the French, New Zealand, Aussie and fellow home nations for their wonderful company on this weekends visit. However I have to inform ( and I am not alone in this ) that a huge number of South African supporters acted akin to football fans with their foul mouthed jibes towards us and many others. Their favourite chant seemed to be ' stick your chariot up your **se '. When we had been subjected to this on numerous occasions we asked why they felt it neccessary to be so unpleasant they reacted in a particularly aggresive way. Myself and my 40 yr old friend were confronted by two groups of South African supporters, totalling 7 men. One felt it neccessary to slap me around the head. Knowing we were heavily outnumbered we had to walk away despite being asked to ' kiss their flag ' to save us getting a hiding. I simply cannot believe that Rugby fans acted like this. This was not an isolated incident as many that we talked to on the way home talked openly about the manner in which large numbers of South African supporters were behaving. Dont let them ruin the world cup, enjoy your time keep your distance and bite your lips. I sat next to two charming South Africans on the way to France and spoke to many who were perfectly pleasant. Unfortunately there does seem a deep seated hatred by large numbers towards English fans.
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I was lucky enough to get to France for the fated pool match against South Africa. Disappointing loss aside we had an absolute ball! Brilliant camaraderie and not only in Paris either. On our long journey from Dover to Paris (should it really take 12 hours?)we met some absolutely brilliant people, a french-canadian-swissman being the best character to cross our path.
I also had the good forutne of being able to get up to Edinburgh for the Scotland v NZ match and Cardiff for the quarter final. Edinburgh (and Glasgow) had such an absolutely brilliant atmosphere going on. Every rugby fan I met was just throwing themselves in to the reverie whole heartedly. I shall defnintely look back on that weekend fondly in years to come. I have to say that Cardiff was a little down in the mouth but that's only because every New Zealander under the sun had taken over the city.
I am unbelievably tempted to get on a boat/train/plane to France this weekend but due to lack of funds I shall have to make do with my local pub and even they have out done themselves to make this World Cup a truly special one.
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In full agreement too. Only managed to get to the Samoa game, but a fantastic weekend, with great hospitallity to boot! Highlights outside the game include standing in a square in Nantes watching Ireland/France outside John McByrne's Irish Pub, a real party atmosphere, and rousing reditions of every home nation anthem! And the casino in Dieppe who kindly put the NZ/Scotland game on the only screen available - a 30ft cinema screen in the ballroom, then proceeded to move a couple of sofas and coffee tables to the centre of the dancefloor, and then plied us with many local tipples! Roads clear of traffic on both friday and sunday afternoon. Small Pastis please!
C'est Manifique!
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You say that you can鈥檛 imagine England being gripped by the event in quite the same way and then refer to World Cup 1999. It wasn鈥檛 held in England, dear boy.
Huw Roberts
Wales (just to the left; look closely and you can't miss us).
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There's two things the french have done wrong so far in my opinion:
1 - at the Stade de France for the pool game against SA there were 45 minute queues for beer on the plaza outside the ground. Seemed much better organised last weekend though...
2 - I cannot believe that the nation that brought us the 'pissoir' cannot think to organise portable toilets outside of the grounds. In St Denis, Nantes and Marseilles the hedges around the grounds have been well watered, but the Mrs wasn't at all pleased...
Other than that though, it's been awesome!
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Like Facebook, I've tried to steer clear of this blag nonsense but having been referenced twice in one post (I knew you'd work it out eventually, Fatbob....I think Terfel has jumped the shark too) I could remain aloof no longer.
Yes, well done, you are now officially the 大象传媒's hottest prospect/biggest maverick. The bosses had to let Kaplinsky go in order to release some funds for your expected demands, and Humphreys was a pussy cat this morning compared to your daily LFM updates.
Good "work" etc, I look forward to reading your Ceefax cricket scoreboards very soon.
And remember, a prayer is as good as a bayonet on a day like this.
ps When is this tournament going to take off?
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Matthew Chalmers, sometimes your own attitude can have a negative effect.
Many English tourists take the 'Torremolinos' or 'West India Trading Company' attitude with them to France and get it, rightly, shoved back in their faces.
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What's wrong with you lot? All self-respecting Englishmen are supposed to detest the French. A few good results for your team, less French rudeness than usual, and everyone's all warm and cozy and: "Vive La France!" What is this generation coming to? Even if you weren't raised properly your genes should kick in and you鈥檒l realize the French are there to be disparaged. Get a grip!
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I enjoyed my stay in France and from what I gather most of the French showed great compassion towards us devastated Kiwis! Looking forward to being back home for the next one. 2011 - we're gonna be in rugby heaven!
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Like Facebook, I've tried to steer clear of this blag nonsense but having been referenced twice in one post (I knew you'd work it out eventually, Fatbob....I think Terfel has jumped the shark too) I could remain aloof no longer.
Yes, well done, you are now officially the 大象传媒's hottest prospect/biggest maverick. The bosses had to let Kaplinsky go in order to release some funds for your expected demands, and Humphreys was a pussy cat this morning compared to your daily LFM updates.
Good "work" etc, I look forward to reading your Ceefax cricket scoreboards very soon.
And remember, a prayer is as good as a bayonet on a day like this.
ps When is this tournament going to take off?
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I'm praying and hoping that England win, I know they can. Everyone's as shocked as I am, not as shocked as the three hundred french that surrounded me at Corcorans in Paris on Saturday. I'll be there again this weekend, cheering on the boys, but no dingy hotel for me, my nice warm bed in my own flat to go home to!!HAHA PS Floorspace going for 20 EUR per foot!!
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What a lovely set of Bloggers you all are, compared with the vitriolic bunch over the last few days. Dirsy and Tommy, you will find it so strange to be back in Blighty after this weekend. How on earth will you adapt? Probably best to fill Le Bloggernaut to the gills with smelly cheese, baguettes, Pastis, Gitanes and perhaps a couple of Sorts....
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As an Irishman, I should really be looking back at this tournament shaking my head and kicking myself.
Not so.
I, along with a few friends, travelled to Paris for the game against France and, may I say, I have never experienced an atmosphere like it in my life.
All afternoon on the day of the game, I was treated to a spectacle of warmth and welcome which put to shame even the apparent legendary hospitality of my own homeland. Every Pub we visited had at least one French wag coming off with a witty jibe or several groups of rival fans exchanging friendly banter while buying each other drinks.
Everywhere we walked in that beautiful City, we were smiled at and greeted in a most pleasant manner by anybody from whom we happened to ask directions or order a coffee.
After the game itself (of which the less said, the better!) the friendliness continued as myself and my friends sat outside an Irish Pub in St Denis with a group of Frenchmen, assuring us that our boys would safely make it through the pool stages (what did they know!!), talking about everything and anything, and even singing together. The next day, I didn鈥檛 want to leave.
Ever since, watching the rest of the games on TV has been a constant reminder of how good a time it was and this, coupled with the vast array of exciting and engaging Matches spread across the whole tournament, has made it easily the best World Cup to date and one never to be forgotten.
I think everyone who has had the good fortune to have experienced this marvellous tournament in this wonderful country would agree with Ben. Give them all to France!
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I was lucky enough to get to France for the fated pool match against South Africa. Disappointing loss aside we had an absolute ball! Brilliant camaraderie and not only in Paris either. On our long journey from Dover to Paris (should it really take 12 hours?)we met some absolutely brilliant people, a french-canadian-swissman being the best character to cross our path.
I also had the good forutne of being able to get up to Edinburgh for the Scotland v NZ match and Cardiff for the quarter final. Edinburgh (and Glasgow) had such an absolutely brilliant atmosphere going on. Every rugby fan I met was just throwing themselves in to the reverie whole heartedly. I shall defnintely look back on that weekend fondly in years to come. I have to say that Cardiff was a little down in the mouth but that's only because every New Zealander under the sun had taken over the city.
I am unbelievably tempted to get on a boat/train/plane to France this weekend but due to lack of funds I shall have to make do with my local pub and even they have out done themselves to make this World Cup a truly special one.
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Carole in Maidenhead has given me an idea. Are you taking orders? If so, could you manage to bring back:
6 x jars of cornichons
6 x Amora Mayonnaise de Dijon
6 x bottles of Nectar d'abricots
2 x bottles of La Vieille Prune
2 x bottles of Cassis
12x cabecou goat's cheese
6 x jars of Bonne Maman apricot and raspberry jam
E.Leclerc supermarket have a very good light and fruity Cotes du Ventoux at 1.65euro a bottle. 48 bottles will be sufficient.
Merci!
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Right... sod it. Living in Japan I have read the blogs, burned the midnight oil to watch the games, drooled at the descriptions of the atmos, banter, and laughs, and been genuinely shocked at the results. Have gone and lifted a flight to Paris (leave office friday arvo, back to work from the airport monday morning), tix to the match, shoddy french Ddigs and stale croissant all part of the equation.
It's undoubtedly the kiss of death, but having missed the last one I couldn't go 4 more without having a story or two of my own to tell......
ALLEZ LES BLANCS
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Post 9 Great link..
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36 - 0
WASH RINSE REPEAT!
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Right... sod it. Living in Japan I have read the blogs, burned the midnight oil to watch the games, drooled at the descriptions of the atmos, banter, and laughs, and been genuinely shocked at the results. Have gone and lifted a flight to Paris (leave office friday arvo, back to work from the airport monday morning), tix to the match, shoddy french Digs and stale croissant all part of the equation.
It's undoubtedly the kiss of death, but having missed the last one I couldn't go 4 more without having a story or two of my own to tell......
ALLEZ LES BLANCS
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36 - 0
WASH RINSE REPEAT!
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Lets hope NZ make it to the final in 4 years time otherwise it will be a total flop... ;)
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Kiwi Dale, #55
Are you sure you were in France? You might have been in Cardiff.
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Fair comments but ones that would almost certainly not have been written if we were awaiting, say, a South Africa vs Australia final.
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I can only echo the warm sentiments towards our French hosts. I've been to all of Englands matches and the SA v Fiji game in Marseille. The hospitality has been magnificent.
Watching the pride on the faces of the Fijians after they had been knocked out as the crowd wildly applauded them will stay with me for a long time. The sheer joy and surprise of England's win over, what can only be called fantastically gracious aussie supporters, was another lifetime highlight.
The food, the wine, the strangers who come up to help you when you look lost - all these things go to make this world cup the best yet. Congratulations to all the teams, their supporters, and to our wonderful French hosts. You should all be proud.
(The 大象传媒 website seems to be cacked so sorry if this appears more than once)
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Well, my friend Une Francaise en Angleterre, if they are bringing that lot back for you, can I come round and help you consume it? Dirsy, be a dear and pop in a few bottles of Cotes du Vetoux for me too, and some Brie. Oh, oh, and don't forget the perfume. Ta Luv
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Cian, just wondering - how long were you in France for, who were supposed to be supporting and how many games did you watch?
Cian, just wondering - how long were you in France for, who were supposed to be supporting and how many games did you watch?
Cian, just wondering - how long were you in France for, who were supposed to be supporting and how many games did you watch?
Cian, just wondering - how long were you in France for, who were supposed to be supporting and how many games did you watch?
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Well, my friend Une Francaise en Angleterre, if they are bringing that lot back for you, can I come round and help you consume it? Dirsy, be a dear and pop in a few bottles of Cotes du Ventoux for me too, and some Brie. Oh, oh, and don't forget the perfume. Ta Luv
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Well, my friend Une Francaise en Angleterre, if they are bringing that lot back for you, can I come round and help you consume it? Dirsy, be a dear and pop in a few bottles of Cotes du Ventoux for me too, and some Brie. Oh, oh, and don't forget the perfume. Ta
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Commnet 51
I was at the rugby village in St Denis that day and couldn't believe that there were only 4 toilets for the thousands there.And being rugby fans we needed the WC's more than the norm!!!
My poor g/f and sister had to wonder for ages to find a conveiniance whereas thankfully I found the nearest hedge.
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Well, my friend Une Francaise en Angleterre, if they are bringing that lot back for you, can I come round and help you consume it? Dirsy, be a dear and pop in a few bottles of Cotes du Ventoux for me too, and some Brie. Oh, oh, and don't forget the perfume. Ta
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I was in France for a few games - georgia v namibia in Lens and Wales v Fiji in Nantes. Other games I saw in various bars in Lens, Nantes and Angers. And I'm going back for the Final weekend!
The hospitality from the French public and fans has been amazing and the organisation behind it, aside from a few minor gripes, has been superb. They got behind the tournament to an incredible degree, even in non traditional rugby areas in france. And I liked the way they used it to educate a new generation of fans.
I found that, unfortunately, the good manners and hospitality were too often not returned to the French. I found on the whole English, Welsh, Irish and Scots were very good travellers - friendly, well mannered and at least making attempts with the language. Perhaps drawn from experience of holidays in France and travels with the 6N. I have to say that encounters with Australians and Kiwis on the travels were disappointing. Discussions about sour grapes are best left to other blogs but i'm talking about rudeness at incredible levels to locals. I truly hope it was a vocal minority I encountered but it was in a number of places and left a sour taste in the mouth.
Well done the French. A great tournament and a great atmosphere. Hope the Kiwis can put on a similar (20 team) show.
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Just read about trouble in Moscow at the "other" game. Isn't it a funny old world?
Thank god for rugby!
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France, greatest country in the world... nothing beats good wine, good food, good places and best of all they speak French!
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Hi Guys - If your around for lunch in Paris Friday at J'GO (pronouce gee - goh, ie "gigot" in French = lamb's leg... ), a cool "southwestern" restaurant in the center of Paris (icendentally... Fabien Galthi茅 is among the owners...)
The place is 4 rue Drouot, Paris 9, close to "Hotel Drouot" - 1:30pm
Owners and writers from www.Rugby-Pioneers.com (Fr), www.Ovalballs.com (UK), www.mathersons.Con (NZ), and www.Legends.com (Aus) plus a few SA members. A meeting to talk rugby, world cup sports memorabilia. Join us if you can. Do not post as its not the largest resturant in Paris but would be nice to meet you if you have time. Regards John
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to the post above- saying that the crush was the only problem at the irish game. i have been lucky enough to see 3 games this tournament- Ire-Georgia, Arg-Sco, and Eng-Fra, and can honesstly say ti is the irish tradition of gate storming that you experienced- not anything to do with the organisation, but blatent irish big game rituals. if you have been to croker, oxygen or slane you know what i am saying,
personally i have found this tournament to be very well run and organised (although the beer was a shock to the system in some games!) and the only big pushes were the irish!!
better luck in 4 years. if a team had promised before a tournament it was them. but at least you can draw something from the fact eng got there instead- or mayb not! either way, im sure you will still celebrate another 6 nations runners up spot, with a maybe triple crown! good luck at twickers.
ps: lets all get gordon brown to jump off the bandwagon- shouldnt he be trying to sort out his own partys mess? make him get his own match ticket- hes paid enough of our money!
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I've loved reading all the comments and can imagine the place will be leaping on Saturday. After playing rugby for 35years I'm now exiled in the USA. After the early games, it's been delayed coverage only. That is until the smei's when I shelled out for Pay For View.
For the final one does not want to watch the game alone... So my other half has spent the last day searching for a bar near our location in Connecticut that is showing the game live. Feering a 40mile trip, she finally came up trumps finding a location only 10mins away in a place called Hamdon..
I will be there cheering on every second.. Win or lose we've done better than anybody expected..
P.S> Perhaps the overpaid soccer players might look to see how the national anthem should be sung....
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Fantastic blog, fantastic tournament.Loved every minute of it.
Getting nervous already, right leg jigging up and down (and it's only Wednesday) occasionally I find myself standing up and shouting "come on England" at the computer with clenched fist giving it the Tiger Woods. I麓m only 36 and I hope that I never grow out of it.My wife麓s spanish and she just doesn麓t get it...to be fair I stopped explaining it years ago.When you're English,you're English...wouldn't want to be anything else. Go Jonny Go!
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I can't believe it's nearly over, and we're in the final. I've had the best time, the most brilliant being in Nantes (didn't manage to get to Marseille), they just put it on for everyone. Saying that the Parisians couldn't have been better.
In fact I've had such a good time a friend decided she is coming out this weekend and she is not even a big fan!
I don't have tickets for this weekend, and am quietly optimistic, so if you see some blonde bird with a huge smile with tears streaming, it's probably me.
Have loved this blog, haven't caught up with either of you guys (Tom and Ben) but did meet the big VU last weekend.
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open wound?
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Tom and Ben you have done a MAGNIFICENT job in bringing the atmosphere of France into my crumby office in Bangkok every morning. Merci.
I cannot believe how underpaid you are and the working conditions you have to suffer, name me your boss and I'll have a word with her/him. You deserve more. Much more.
The Bruces and Sheilas done good hosting the 2003 RWC. Rolf Harris would be proud. Meat pies and six tinnies all round.
The Pierres et Maries are doing bon with the 2007 RWC. Plastic Bertrand would be proud. Croissants et four bottles to allez.
And no doubt the Kiwis will turn out a cracker in 2011. (No clue of any Kiwi singers, help me someone.) Mutton stew. Baaaaah man, another pint.
Rugby. What a sport. What a fan base. What players. What ambassadors. What... are we going to do next week?
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iwas in Marseilles for the wonderful day when England beat the Ozzies, and then joined in the french celebrations apres their victory over all blacks. Hangover meant it took me 3 days to get back to Barcelona. Stopped off in rugby mad Aix en provence to see Argentina beat Scotland. Flower of scotland wilted in south american heat.
I agree with earlier comment - J麓aime La France. Merci les bleus for a coupe de Monde magnifique.
Keep the faith England - we may still retain Webb Ellis!
Favourite vox pop - from a frenchman,
"The australians are good at sport, but not very good sportsman."
Sorry to all my ozzy mates, I麓m only quoting.
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All these favourable comments about Paris and the French should be more widely communicated. How about 大象传媒 News doing a feature on 'Exploding the Myth About the Rude French'? I've been going to Paris, regularly, for several years, and the myths about the French arrogance and rudeness, as exploited by the tabloids (Sun, et al), are exactly that - myths! The French, and especially the Parisians, are cultured and courteous. There can be no other city in the world with such elegance, beauty and culture as in Paris. I suggest that the RWC is held in France every eighth year - and could I please join your reporting team in those years, I promise to buy all the coffee, croissants and frites!
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The thing is that in France, rugby isn't associated with class - therefore its more widely and fondly supported. In England (and possibly in Scotland) the game is percieved to be a middle to upper class toffs sport - the working class don't go to rugby union matches, hence the atmosphere is not the best at UK grounds. If the World Cup was here this year, no one would bother with Canada v Japan. Football on the other hand may pack out a ground given its popularity.
Lets face it, if England were in a football final on Saturday the country would come to a standstill - I was out in London last Saturday night and you wouldn't know if there was a rubgy match on (apart from a few drunken idiots singing god save the queen on the tube).
However well done the England boys, its great to see England play above their potential for once (instead of to it or beneath it).
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Peter the Pom - I don't wish to be pedantic but your log-in name should read "Pierre le rosbif en France". But like you, I love France and moved here last year.
Even in our small town here in Acquitaine, the major matches have been shown in the local square on a big screen and I am sure there will be a good crowd for the final. However I am not sure if the locals will want to see England win or be thoroughly trounced! Whatever the case, the wine and beer will flow and the food stalls will have loads of custom.
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Deano - i'm sorry you had trouble with the follow-my-team package.
i bought the same package in november 05 and when the tickets arrived in about june, there was a leaflet about exchanges telling me the exact location of the city pick-up point at the louvre, which was open thurs/fri and sat until 1800. as a purchaser i then got the same information emailed to me last week. it was a little tricky to find, but we found it after 10 mins and there was no queue nor hassle.
personally i found the ticket collection quite easy, and preferable to schlepping up to st denis in mid-afternoon. i'm sorry you had the opposite experience...
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I have actually been shocked by the French hospitality - BUT only in a positive sense.
I worked in Paris for 6 montha a few years ago and was so happy to go home afterwards. Mainly because of the attitude of a few locals to the English. How narrow-minded was that of me? To dislike a nation because of a few comments.
I have been to -
Lens - Poor rugby but a result. Watching the wedding cars down the main street all beeping their horns at us and waving as they went past. Priceless! Loved every minute.
Nantes. - Went by coach from Liverpool setting off af at 5pm Friday and getting back at 4pm Sunday. What a weekend. Had to change coaches at Le Mans because of the French laws apparently but were so well looked after. I know the French were supporting Samoa but come on - if the boot was on the other foot? and it was all done in good humour.
Marseille- Awesome flew out to Nice on Friday morning. Train into Marseille for the game where we met every nationality going (including the Khazakhstan national rugby team who we had dinner with - I kid you not!) On Train on the way back conducter going nut's because France had beaten the kiwi's. Back into Nice. Found a bar where a number of FRench people came up to us saying - Allez le Blancs.
Flight back on Sunday was not till late so few of us went to the beach. After the requisite few bottles of white we ended up swimming in the sea. My wife still picking grit up off the floor at home after washing my shorts saying 'Where did that come from'. Now shrug in a Gallic way which is worrying!
All I can say is I have had a fantastic 6 weeks. My wife thought I was joking last night when I said I was going to the final............
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"94% attendance at all games"........then presumably more than 100% at games in France because the disgraceful bartering that was entered into allowing Scotland and Wales to play at home backfired with some terrible attendance figures in Edinburgh and Cardiff.
One World Cup....one Couhtry and then you get what France has given to this competition.....magnificent support.....!
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I can only agree with the majority here; that is to say a most excellent tournament! I went to three matches, all virtually sold out. No wonder when the prices were only 20 euro to see the minnows. Italy v Portugal at parc des Princes (45,000), fantastic.
So many kids, i expect French, shouting their heads off for "Italy-Portugal-Italy-Portugal".
One of the comments said give France 2015? I vote Oui,Oui.
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#86 - I hope that after naming Rolf Harris, your'e not serious when asking for famous NZ singers?!!?
Gutted that Wales didn't stay in longer to give me reason to hop on over to France, it sounds like an awsome tournament. Agree that its one the home nations couldn't compete with.
PS Kiri Te Kananawa
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To all the guys wearing Zulu era Michael Caine military jackets. Very fetching I'm sure but once again rather like the English appropriating all things British and calling it their own, the regiment depicated in that great film of the true event, were.......Welshman.
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Well, beating us is a peculiar way to show your love for us... ;-)
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We were in France for 10 days and I think everything you mentioned in this blog came up at some point. Especially your last line, that was said about million times during the trip.
"Do me a favour, they should give every Rugby World Cup to France from here on in."
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I have to say that I had a great time in France. Spent 3 weeks and saw Scotland/NZ, USA/Samoa, Italy/Scotland, France/Georgia, and both quarters in Marseille.
As an American traveling France, I was quite surprised at the reception we received. It didn't hurt to have two French mates traveling with us most likely.
The fans were great at every venue, save for the Scotland/NZ match where neither the teams nor the fans showed much.
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I have never felt so jealous as I was reading these blogs. It sounds fantastic. Enjoy yourselves you lucky people.
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As a frenchman, I'm glad and surprised to read all these positive comments.
We've done our best to make this cup a success. Of course there are some flaws eg. waiting hours at SDF for tickets. Next time, no problem, we promise !!
Enjoy your stay in France.
ALLEZ LES BLANCS !!
( BLANCS = les XV de la Rose = english team as it's known in France ).
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Yep, one can't be a rugby tournament for comedy, drama, theatre and passion.... and no little camaraderie.
Get yourselves down to Dubai at the end of November for the rugby 7s - simply the best tournament anywhere in the world.
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