Was the La Marseillaise rousing? Yes it was. Did the sky blush obediently behind the Stade Tour Eiffel on cue? Yes it did. Was an elegant young woman in a jumpsuit and heels clutching a cuddly Paralympic Phrges outside a 7eme restaurant? Yes she was.
Did the afternoon rain stop? Yes. Was the stadium full? Yes. Did the many tricolours fly and the fans sing? Yes.
Did the Eiffel Tower light up like a golden goddess bestowing beatitudes, behind the stadium and into the night? Mais bien sûr . Was the blind football final between France and Argentina a fitting finale to a triumphant Paralympic Games? Oui, Oui, Oui ! That France won 3-2 in a penalty shootout was the icing on top of whatever the most perfect éclair is in the most exclusive Parisian pâtisserie. All the tension of a normal penalty shootout only with the added jeopardy that the players can’t see (although the goalkeeper can) and possibly the most beautiful footballing backdrop in the world.
Each shot is guided only by a guide banging on the sides of the goal with a metal stick and shouting behind the goal. Both sides scored from their first two attempts (of three before it becomes sudden death) – but then the unfortunate Nahuel Heredia’s effort was stopped by the France keeper. Pandemonium followed and Heredia cut a forlorn figure trying to find his way back to his waiting teammates on the centre line.
Silence as Frédéric Villeroux prepared to shoot. He scores! And everything is, for one Parisian moment,.