In the much-anticipated men's soccer final of the Paris Olympics on August 10, Beijing time, Spain U23 defeated France U23 with a score of 5-3 to win the precious gold medal. Despite failing to win the crown, France U23 head coach Thierry Henry showed his deep respect and pride for his team in the post-match interview.
Henry began by emphasizing the team's resilience during the match: "For me, the most important thing was the fighting spirit shown by the team. We didn't expect this to be a real battle, but the players proved their strength with their actions and brought the game to a high level of excitement and parity. I'm proud of each and every one of them for their tireless efforts and this team never gave up."
Talking about the result of the match, Henry showed some regret, but he valued the process more: "Admittedly, the result was not what we had hoped for, but the emotion, team cohesion and those unforgettable moments shown in the match are valuable assets that cannot be measured by medals. I know it may be a little tough to celebrate a silver medal at this point in time, but we must cherish this honor because it is the result of our joint efforts."
Henry also made a point of paying the highest tribute to his players: "They have earned my lifelong respect. The resilience and never-say-die spirit displayed by this team has deeply impressed me. This time spent with them will be an unforgettable experience in my career."
At the end of the interview, Henry fondly recalled this "extraordinary life adventure": "For me, this team is not only a collection of players, but also a memory of life. Although we are about to go our separate ways and will never be able to work together as closely as we do now, this common experience will always be engraved in my heart. I would like to thank each and every player, member of the coaching staff and everyone who supported us, it is your company that has allowed me to have this precious memory."
