Who hasn’t dreamt of kissing Fabien Barthez’s head before the referee signals the kickoff? Running rings around three Brazilian players like Zinedine Zidane? Scoring a golden goal like Laurent Blanc against Paraguay? Haven’t you? Dreams did come true for an Econocom delegation in Aix-en-Provence on Wednesday 12 July, as the charity France 98 brought together most of the 1998 world champions for the 25th anniversary of France’s first world title. Obviously Econocom Stories was there…
It was at ‘Z5’ (Zinedine Zidane’s futsal complex) in the ‘City of a Thousand Fountains’ that France 98 marked 25 years since winning football’s World Cup. A friendly charity tournament saw legends and amateurs take to the pitch.
There were no cakes or candles that day but exhibition matches before 250 spectators from across France, who were lucky enough to snag one of the few tickets that sold out in record time.
« 25 years later… they’re still way too fast! »
At the initiative of Chairman Jean-Louis Bouchard, in tandem with the different divisions, a delegation of a dozen Econocom colleagues was invited to be part of this magical day. As spectators but also… players. That’s right, there was a five-a-side match between the former 98 world champions and… the European champions of the ENS sector. And although hairlines were shorter and waistlines bigger, their techniques were all still there: « It’s impressive: stepovers, Marseille turns and sombrero flicks, all with a smile. Not easy to see the ball! 25 years later, they’re still very, very fast. It really is another world… » That testimonial from a Econocom colleague encapsulates the magic dust sprinkled by our beloved world champions.
Everyone involved ended the day with a drink and gala dinner that same night. And our colleagues took the train home with stars in their eyes…
