The World Cup

Without question, the greatest single event in the history of France — at least that I, personally, was involved in — happened on the night of June 12, 1998.That was the night France won the World Cup, which is the ultimate achievement in the sport known everywhere in world, except those parts of the world located outside the United States, as “soccer.” (Under the metric system, it is called “football.”)France was the host country for the 1998 World Cup, but it was not expected to win, or even to do particularly well. Back then France was not considered to be a serious soccer power. Even today, many observers, by which I mean me, have trouble taking seriously, as a sports power, a nation whose soccer fans display their fierce national pride by wearing chicken hats.Getty ImagesAs if the chicken hats aren’t menacing enough, French fans also show their support for their team by — prepare to be intimidated — holding up baguettes. I’m serious: They brandish loaves of bread.Getty…