FRANCE 98 – Marseille Stadium

Marseille’s Stade Vélodrome is always full to bursting: the supporters of Olympique de Marseille are without any shadow of a doubt the most loyal in France. But the people of Marseille have also shown sterling support for good football in general. For instance, in 1938 there was a crowd of nearly 35,000 for the Italy-Brazil semi-final. The high point, however, as far as international matches at Marseille are concerned, came on 23 June 1984, when France played Portugal in the semi-final of the European Nations Cup.

In extra-time France was trailing 2-1 to a very impressive Portuguese side with just 5 minutes to go. But lifted by the crowd, the French players refused to capitulate, and equalised 115 minutes into the game with a goal from Domergue. Then one minute from the end, Tigana took on one Portugese defender after another and crossed for Platini to score the winner past Bento. The French TV commentator and all the fans in the Stadium practically wept with joy.