Last training session for Brazil at Ozoir-la-Ferrière

Statement made at Ozoir-la-Ferrière (south east of PARIS)

Nathalie Heneman, Chief Press Officer at the stade des Trois-Sapins d’Ozoir-la-Ferrière:

“After two weeks of solid graft, one word can sum up precisely how I feel: exhausted. But at the same time I can’t help feeling enormously proud of what we have achieved here. We have welcomed between 300 and 400 journalists every day, rising to 600 in the later stages, and more than adequately dealt with the Brazilian media’s demands for optimum working conditions. I feel secure in the knowledge that we have done a first-rate job and that everybody will be going home with fond memories of Ozoir.

“One thing is certain, it was a one-off experience. As a means of remembering the Brazilian squad’s heady days in our town, we have recommended to the local municipal council that the Stade Trois-Sapins be renamed the Stade Claudio TAFFAREL, in honour of the great Brazilian goalkeeper who has been quite a hit here.

” The town of Ozoir, until now a peaceful and entirely unknown part of the world, can today count the huge benefits of having played host to the mighty Brazilians. We are all feeling rather pleased with ourselves at the moment, having overcome the problems posed by the influx of people and traffic. It has been an entirely enriching experience, after all, it’s not everyday one gets to work alongside the Brazilian football team. To see the world’s best footballers train everyday in front of three thousand spectators has been simply marvellous: just as it has been to work with members of the Brazilian media, who had very specific requirements. All in all it has been quite a tournament. Now we are all hoping for a fitting Final between FRANCE and BRAZIL on Sunday.