Zidane Hopes French Fans Have New Attitude
Copyright � 2000 Nando Media
Copyright � 2000 Agence France-Presse
MADRID, Spain (July 5, 2000 11:08 a.m. EDT http://www.sportserver.com) - Zinedine Zidane is looking
forward to a change of attitude among French fans following
their team's Euro 2000 victory.
Zidane was the tournament's outstanding performer as France
snatched a late victory over Italy in the final to add the
European Championship trophy to the World Cup they won on home
soil in 1998.
The Juventus midfielder believes the mass celebrations sparked by their success will mark the beginning of a change in the footballing culture in France, where fans have a reputation
for lacking the passion of their European rivals.
"Football in France is not the same as in Italy or Spain,"
Zidane said in an interview with Marca published on Wednesday.
"We needed something like this to change the attitude of the
people.
"In Monday's celebrations, there were one-and-a-half million people in the Champs Elysees and for me that was the most beautiful thing that could have happened.
"More than the victory or the football, what we'll all remember is the joy on the streets. It gave me goose bumps. I think it was the only time I've really smiled."
Zidane was sharply critical of the television-driven Champions League when asked about Europe's major club competition.
"It's the wrong way to look at football, only in terms of money," he said. "There are too many matches on television. If
it carries on like this, things will only get worse."
