A ball taken from the head for a victorious left shot. Exactly 40 years ago, striker Gérard Soler, who in 2018 became the president of C’Chartres Football, scored the first goal for the French team at the 1982 World Cup against England (1-3) . A World Cup which, after the terrible “night of Seville”, would end a month later in fourth place.
Gérard Soler talks about his goal against England
When you look back to this 1982 World Cup, what image comes to you first?
It’s not an image, but the feeling of having realized a childhood dream. When I watched the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, I said to myself, I would like to be there. And when, twelve years later, in our first match against England, in a full San Mamés stadium (in Bilbao), where the heat reigns, the Marseillaise sounds, I realize that my dream becomes reality. At that time, at 28, I tell myself that it is extraordinary to be there.
And was this World Cup really extraordinary?
Oh yes ! From start to finish, even the preparation. When you play the World Cup, for two months, you experience very strong things. You are in your bubble. There, in addition, the atmosphere was special. There was the threat of ETA and we were under the protection of bodyguards. And then there weren’t all the tools that exist today. Internet, social networks… In my opinion, it was simpler and healthier.
This semi-final, I see it as a play in several acts with twists and turns. Until the last minute, we don’t know how it will end. The dramaturgy is amazing.
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For many supporters, this World Cup is above all the trauma of elimination in the semi-finals (3-3, 4-5 TAB) against Germany. For you too?
The trauma is because we go twelve minutes from a final (France still led 3-2 at 108 ‘) and we know that, for the most part, we will not have a second chance . But, this semi-final, I see it as a play in several acts with twists and turns. Until the last minute, we don’t know how it will end. The dramaturgy is amazing.
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It’s the only game you haven’t played. How did you experience it?
I had learned the day before by my wife that I would not be a holder. That it would be Didier Six. She had read it in the press before me. I was expected to return if it hadn’t been for Schumacher’s attack on Battiston. But, that, there is only Michel (Hidalgo, the coach) who could have told it. On the bench, we were spectators of our friends who were in an extraordinary state.
The disappointment must have been huge…
I can still see Marius Trésor, an exceptional boy, in the shower. There was water flowing, but she didn’t hide her tears. Seeing this rock in this state, with this frustration of having given everything and not having been rewarded, with this terrible injustice, it marked me.
I was not the Adil Rami we knew in 2018, but I have always been happy in this group. Whether I’m in the field or not.
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Have you kept in touch with your teammates from this adventure?
Yes, we meet sometimes, we call each other with René (Girard), Michel (Platini), Marius (Trésor), we send each other messages. There is a lot of affection for everyone. We don’t have to be together all the time to keep it strong. We have experienced special things that belong to us. We have our secrets. There, with this anniversary date, we are going to tell a lot of things. There is collective memory. But this story is ours.
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What role did you have in this France team?
I was not the Adil Rami we knew in 2018, but I have always been happy in this group. Whether I’m in the field or not. I played with the level that was mine, but I was the striker who was the most aligned, I scored… When they called on me, I gave everything I could. We knew that I was not a cheater. In the locker room, the same. I was able to make everyone laugh because that’s my temper. There are some who need to concentrate, others to express themselves.
Who was the best player?
We cannot give another name than that of Michel Platini. He was surrounded by a Jean Tigana, an Alain Giresse, a Dominique Rocheteau, a Gérard Janvion… This team was monstrous, there was no hole. We are the only team in the world to have played with three No. 10s (Giresse, Platini and Genghini) and we produced some play. But Michel was the leader of this team. He allowed all the good players to become great players by his side.
Between matches, we were happy, but it wasn’t festive as we saw in 1986. We were on a mission.
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What anecdote do you remember?
It’s after the semi-final. We are sitting near the France team bus, dejected. And all the people who pass by tell us “you have no right to cry after what you have done”. Everyone was proud of us. Many people in France think that we idolize too much the “losers” of 1982. But, I believe that it was the first time where the spirit of the French cock was there. For me, we were precursors.
Is there an anecdote that you have never told?
Yes, but she is not relatable. Between matches, we were happy, but it wasn’t festive as we saw in 1986. We were on a mission. We had some pretty amazing moments. There were good things and bad things, but they stayed between us.
THE ROUTE OF THE BLUES :
1st round: England – France 3-1, France – Kuwait 4-1, France – Czechoslovakia 1-1. 2nd round: Austria – France 0-1, France – Northern Ireland 4-1. Semi-final: France – FRG 3-3 (4-5 TAB). Match for 3rd place: France – Poland 2-3.
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Franck Thébault
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