Source: French Football Weekly

Something was needed to make up for the disappointment of Friday night. Reviewing the performance of the U21s in their Euro 2015 qualifying campaign cheered me slightly, but there was still something missing. Fortunately, international breaks are a perfect time to have a football-based charity event, and CIF (Club des Internationaux de Football) chose this weekend to bring their magic to the Park&Suites Arena in Montpellier.

The first match was the amuse-bouche – a team of ex-internationals versus a team of MHSC ex-pros. I’d say ‘the old boys are back in town’ but Romain Pitau was playing Ligue 1 around six months ago – which you could tell. Lining up against a France team featuring Franck Silvestre, Steve Savidan and Laurent Robert, Pitau got a brace, and Kader Ferhaoui, Jean-Christophe Rouvière and Fred Mendy also scored for Montpellier. It ended 5-5.

Then, the starter – a team made up of the stars of France 98 to play Nantes. Pires 7, Djorkaeff 8, Savidan 9 and Zidane… Zidane 10. The cheers when they were announced were amazing. All that was missing from the crowd, on its feet, was a banner saying “are any of you free on Tuesday?” Barthez: outfield player (socks rolled down); Blanc looking like if Thiago Silva gets injured again, there’s another option. Pancrate opened the scoring for Nantes, Candela equalised, Nantes went ahead and then penalty! Zidane got his first goal of the evening, thwacking it past the motionless keeper. Nantes (keeping with tradition by not all wearing the same kit, Remy Riou also playing outfield in the vintage top and green shorts) kept going ahead, but the wily old guard kept pulling it back, Zizou with the assist for Pires, and then scoring the final leveller himself. Another draw – 4-4.

The entree – Montpellier v Nantes, the current editions of both. Again, Pancrate opened the scoring, but MHSC reserve player Cornette levelled it, and with Ligali taking over in goal for the second half and making some fine saves, the home team (ish) pulled ahead, with goals from El-Kaoutari and Cabella. Birama Toure got one back for the Canaries but Karim Ait-Fana put it to bed. Montpellier 4 – 2 Nantes.

And before dessert, a palate cleanser. A presentation of ex-internationals now a little too old to mix it with the youngsters – over 1,500 caps between them, and led out by Just Fontaine. The announcer came over all emotional and just started hugging people. Which seemed perfectly reasonable under the circumstances.

And then. The most important course – pudding. Having earlier said that his objective was to nutmeg his idol, Remy Cabella faced off against Zinedine Zidane. I’d give it to Zidane on points, as in the first match-up he clearly let the young tyro run past him. And also because his opening goal in this match was a piece of such extraordinary skill that it made you clap and laugh and look at your neighbour and go ‘what?’ all at once. A long, high ball from deep on the right (possibly Blanc with the delivery) was aimed at Zizou tight on the left touchline; he just… shot. No takedown, no control, just… a first-time volley across the keeper and into the back of the net. Superb.

Bakar equalised in the final minute of the first half, and while Zidane had another chance, perhaps the older legs were tiring. Djorkaeff put them ahead again after the resteart but there was a double from El-Kaoutari, who then saw Coupet save a penalty when he was going for his hat-trick. Teddy Mezague got the fourth, showing some moves (not moves you’d want a centre-back making in an actual game but then that’s the main point of Futsal, I think – freedom of expression for defenders), and Cabella, who was clearly on a mission to score only a ridiculous goal, and thus missed a couple of chances that just kicking the ball might have converted, got the last. Montpellier 5 – 2 France 98.

Then there was a pitch invasion, although I’m not sure you can call it that when it’s inside. And yes, older legs might not have the speed or the staying power any more, but those experienced feet, and heads, still have the technique, the skill, the touch… It was wonderful to watch.

So. Any of you guys free on Tuesday?





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