France or Croatia: who you got?
Much of the world will come to a standstill tomorrow when the French take on the Croats in the World Cup final. Everyone – both passionate soccer fans, and those who say “there’s way too much faking for me to like soccer” – have an opinion on who will take it. That includes the Montreal Impact’s players as well.
If there is an overwhelming presence of French support in the Bleu-blanc-noir locker room, it isn’t necessarily everyone’s favorite choice.
“I don’t really want any team associated with our team to win, because I don’t want anyone in our team being able to walk around saying they’re the World Cup champions,” said defender Chris Duvall, laughing.
Midfielder Samuel Piette, he who played in France for a few years before joining the Bleu-blanc-noir, shares Chris’ opinion.
“I’ll be cheering for Croatia,” said Piette. “Everyone here is cheering for France, so I’m just trying to go against everyone here.”
Of course, not all of the Impact’s players want to see the French lose a second final in two tournaments – especially not the French ones.
“We’re going to see France win,” said a confident Rudy Camacho. “I think they’re strong enough and ready to win a final. It is a World Cup final, so they’ll be just as motivated as France.”
“It’ll be a complicated game, but the Croats have played a lot more minutes,” said midfielder Saphir Taïder. “They’ve gone to extra time three times and twice to penalties. France has a slight edge in the regard physically, but you give everything you have in a final, so it’s 50/50, even if I think France will win.”
No one needs to ask Impact head coach Rémi Garde, who has a few personal connections with the French national team, who he’s rooting for on Sunday. But unlike some of the more confident French players, the head coach knows the challenge will be a big one for his native country.
“A final is always difficult,” said Garde. “The Croats have shown spirit and a desire that impresses me. I hope they’ll have a little less of it in the final. But I think the French have a little more experience. The defeat in the Euro final two years ago will help them. But I think the team is right before that feeling of overconfidence, and I hope it’ll be a party for us on Sunday.”
