While France was preparing to launch its Euro in Germany, the first match in 1996 gave rise to a terrible mistake from the organizers.
Obviously still traumatized by the France-Bulgaria fiasco of November 1993, the Blues approached Euro 1996 without reference points. Before meeting up with Hristo Sotichkov and his gang for their third match in Group B, the French team is entitled to a first shock against Romania. We talk about the reverse side of memories in French.
Aimé Jacquet’s men had indeed played a founding match in Romania the previous autumn, already present in; his group during qualifying. In the 3-1 victory in Bucharest, the Blues had undoubtedly saved their coach’s head and ignored the peremptory declarations of Georges Hagi. “ We have a 99% chance of winning,” available to launch the Romanian playing master.
Blue-white-red but in the wrong way.
La Marseillaise also has a clearly visible copy on a banner: “They think we’re gypsies, we’re going to eat cock. » The reunion in front of the 26,000 spectators at Saint-James Park in Newcastle is much more placid. And this despite the absence of David Ginola, the heroes of the Pies will perhaps be remembered by Aimé Jacquet.
However, the meeting starts with an incredible blunder. While the volunteers unfurl the flags for the anthems, it is in fact the Dutch flag that is unfurled. The drape of blue, white and red but the stripes are in the wrong direction. The organizers also confused the two standards, causing some dismay in the French camp.
It will take more to disconcert the Blues, who win 1-0 thanks to a goal from Christophe Dugarry shortly before the half-hour mark after a disagreement between Mihali and his goalkeeper Stelea. Romania tried to react, but in vain, the Blues having little to do to launch their competition with a precious victory.
