Football and France: Triumph and despair

France’s jubilation over unexpectedly making it to the World Cup final has barely reached the hardened kids kicking stones in front of a graffiti-streaked, urine-stained housing project of La Courneuve.

Football and France: Triumph and despair

France’s jubilation over unexpectedly making it to the World Cup final has barely reached the hardened kids kicking stones in front of a graffiti-streaked, urine-stained housing project of La Courneuve.

The crowd mirrors the multicultural team – many players hail from tough, immigrant neighbourhoods like this.

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