World Cup Record Breakers: Les Bleus - The Orange Room

AliArz

Since the World Cup fever is on, and as the 2nd round of the tournament is underway, I decided to open this thread for the sake of showing my passion for my favourite team in International Football: l'Equipe de France.

As much as people may not like France in general (for rational and/or absurd reasons), we should not forget that there are many positive qualities from this country.

France may have been a huge colonial tyrant in the past, and it certainly continues to be so today, but one must ask the following: which country was not a colonial tyrant at a certain point in human history?

There are so many negative things we can say about France, especially as a Lebanese, we had our own share of battles with them---but let's not forget the good side too---in fact, let's not forget the positive things that France did to the world---especially to Lebanon!

If it was not for France, then the Lebanese entity wouldn’t have been possible.

The British and others, they did not believe in Lebanon and they did not work for us.

Lebanon came into existence thanks to the Lebanese people, that is true, but it is France that defended us and gave us access to make this dream come true.

Of all the oppressors that came to rule our land, I find it surprising to learn that France was the least dangerous occupier in the history of Lebanon.

Yes, the very same France that is considered to be one of the most brutal and ruthless imperialist power in the world---just happens to be the least dangerous on Lebanese soil once we compare them to what the Americans, Syrians, Palestinians, Israelis and others are doing to us.

Therefore, my question to all Lebanese is: why do we not like this country?

I think everyone knows that all harsh critics towards France from my part where the most extreme from all people, yet I still like this nation no matter what.

Right now, Chirac is being ridiculous with Lahoud, and this is affecting the Franco-Lebanese relationship, no doubt about this.

The French “arrogance” is one of the most disliked---but again: what about the others?

In Football, it’s no different.

I don’t understand why many Lebanese support Germany, who has a history of colonial violence far more extreme then that of the French. Let’s not forget Hitler and the Third Reich…

Or what about England?

Since when did this team have Pakistani, Thai or Iraqi players with them?

This whole “excuse” on how the Lebanese does not support France just because they have an “unsociable” record on foreign policy is simply absurd.

I gave the example of Germany and England.

On the Football pitch, I find the “Football Francais” to be the most creative, fastest and vibrant in the world.

They are capable of playing the type of game that gives people a heart attack.

This thread will discuss some of the pioneers of French Football in the history of the “Mondial”, in hope to shed some light to those who still see France as a “non-Football” nation.

Happy reading,

Ali Arz

AliArz

JULES RIMET

-Founder of FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association)
-Founder of FFF (Federation Francaise de Football)
-Founder of the World Cup/Coupe du Monde
-Founder of Euro

Simply put, without this man---none of us would be watching the Mondial today.

It is a Frenchman that created this tournament, and it is because of him that the "Football Francais" succeeded at gaining a decent spot in International Football.

Les Bleus became serious contenders from the moment Mr. Rimet took over the role of managing Football activities in the country.

Hence, two big thumbs up to Jules Rimet and the French---who showed that they can party as much as the Brazilians.

After all, which is the biggest festival: Samba carnivals or the World Cup?...

Go ask any Brazilian, and they will tell you that they know of only one carnival...and it's not in Rio de Janeiro...unless it's at the Maracana...

AliArz

LUCIEN LAURENT

The first goal of the first World Cup ever, was scored by a Frenchman: Lucien Laurent.

In Uruguay, at Montevideo, Les Bleus won the first game of the first ever WC tournament by beating Mexico, 4-1.

Lucien Laurent scored the first one and little did he know that he was going to make Soccer history.

It was only later, that he realised he entered the legacy of Les Bleus by being it's first legend!

Lucien Laurent passed away in 2005.

In 1998, as he was watching the Finals of France-Brazil (3-0), he entered history again, by being the only surviving member of this 1930 French team that participated in the first ever Mondial.

Indeed, a very significant sign for the first legend of French Football.

AliArz

JUST FONTAINE

With 30 goals for France by playing only in 21 games...this man entered the Mondial's history by scoring the most goals ever in one World Cup tournament.

To this day, no player is able to score as much as 13 goals in one WC tournament...a record still held by Just Fontaine---a Frenchman of Moroccan descent.

The only person who scored as many goals so far, are Muller for Germany (14 goals in 2 WC tournament), and since yesterday, it was Ronaldo who tied with Muller by scoring his 14th goal against Japan (in 3 WC tournament).

A Pele and a Maradona has never succeeded at creating this record.

These records of Muller and Ronaldo can be broken at any time.

But that of the legendary Frenchman, may remain a mission that can never ever be surpassed.

Unless a new prodigy in under way...

AliArz

LAURENT BLANC

The first Golden Goal in World Cup history was recorded at the Stade Felix Bollaert in Lens (Pas-de-Calais) during the France '98 tournament.

Surprisingly, a new WC record was done by another Frenchman: Laurent Blanc.

It was France against Paraguay, and the winner had to reach to the quarter-final.

The greatest goalkeeper of that tournament, was Jose Luis Chilavert of Paraguay.

Not one ball crossed the line of his net...until the infamous Golden Goal of Laurent Blanc put an end to his shut out streak...

France advanced for the quarter-final in order to face Italy.

Another legend and another legacy for Les Bleus as they wrote another page in the history of the World Cup.

Napoleaoun of koura

Bravo ya AliArz.

And I would like to thank you because thanks to you, I am relieved. Indeed I am relieved to see that there is still descent people like you, in Lebanon that do remember, and do recognize that France has a great football history, and amazing records made by great men !!!!

Bass shou badak ta khayyi, here in Lebanon, people seem to forget all this, or maybe it is ignorance, I don't know. It seems like they forget forget great french football personalities such as Just Fontaine, Raymond Copa, Michel Platini, etc.... Not to mention the players we have today such as Thierry Henry (who is considered by many experts as one of the best, some of them say the best Striker in the world), or Zinedine Zidane who is as famous as pelee in all the world, maybe more.

Shou bi 3arefni ya Aliarz, they should be proud of France, or what France may achieve. As you said, there is an old secular history between France and Lebanon. Forget about Chirac a little bit ya guys, nobody likes him in France. France is much bigger than Chirac !!!!

Some people say they are arrogant ???? chou hal haki ??? Wallaw ?? You should then see how British are arrogant. Go and have a look at British newspaper how they keep bashing the french team and everything called french. Watch BBC when France is playing a match, they keep insulting us as if french people were stupid !!! Walla Haram !!!!

And by the way, The french team has never been as humble as they are today. They do learn from their mistakes !!! Listen to Domenech when he is talking about the other teams : He do respect them a lot and give them credit !!!!! But go and see the archive when South Corea was going to face france, Coreans were all saying that france is a very weak team that they are going to beat them by4-0........Nice and clever !!! We saw what happened ..... not to mention the huge mistake made by the referee otherwise France would have won 2-1 against South Corea !!!!!

Bass maalech, Long live to France (I know that french people adore Lebanon and the Lebanese), and may god help them to win this world cup.

Cheers,

Napo

AliArz

EMMANUEL PETIT

In France '98, during the Final between France and Brazil at the Stade de France, many records where produced---to the point that we cannot cite them all.

Aside from the meaningful "3-0" score (a "clin d'oeil" for "Bleu Blanc Rouge"), the goal of Emmanuel Petit was very significant.

Not only did he score at the last minute of the game in order to give a finishing touch to the team's superb play of that night, but that very goal happened to be the last one of the century for the WC.

Indeed, in the 20th Century, the World Cup was created.

It's first goal was scored by Lucien Laurent. It's last goal was scored by Emmanuel Petit.

Aside from the fact that Petit scored for the "Rouge" side of the French flag, it is interesting to note that he aslo broke another record by scoring the 1000th goal of the French squad!!!

What a way to win this first World Cup for France (on home soil too), and what a way to end the last WC of the first WC Century.