'I leave with a heavy, broken heart... but my blood is and will always be a little pink'
Djibril Camara has penned an emotional open letter to Stade Francais fans after his stint at the club was ended by dismissal for alleged serious misconduct.
The 29-year-old back, capped four times by France, fellow foul of the club during the season and after it was confirmed he would not be returning, he decided to address the Parisian team’s supporters via social media.
“There, it’s finished,” he wrote. “Sometimes destiny, or the chance of life, makes one have to leave dear people. Essential people, people who gave us a lot.
“You, the supporters of Stade Francais, count among those. This message of goodbye is the expression of my deep emotion, of my gratitude. Stade Francais was, for me, much more than a club. It was my family, my pedestal, my desire to surpass myself. Here, I lived exceptional moments, I grew up and built my life as a man.
“I arrived at the age of 13 through my friend Jeremy Fumey. I was still a child. In 2006, with a fabulous generation, we were French junior champions. In my head, there are still mages of joy, happiness and joy. It was the time of carelessness.
“I had the chance to go with the under-18 team, to enter the Stade Francais training centre and sign my first professional contract. I was only 18 years old and my head was full of dreams. These dreams, I partly accomplished them.
“I obviously want to thank Max Guazzini without whom nothing would have been possible. What a president he was!
“I still remember my first try for the professional team. It was against Dax. It was yesterday. I treasure every day the chance I had to wear this jersey with players like Christophe Dominici, Julien Dupuy, Mathieu Bastareaud, Juan Hernandez, Antoine Burban, Sergio Parisse, Sylvain Marconnet, David Auradou, Nani Corletto and many others. It’s hard to mention them all…
“At the moment of leaving, I also have an emotional thought for Thomas Savare and Pierre Arnald. They have been much criticised, but I can assure you that they have always been kind to me as with the club.
“The title of champion of France in 2015 will forever be engraved in my memory. Just like the European title in 2017. Thanks to you Gonzalo (Queseda) for having taken the trouble to understand me and to have made the best of myself.
“I would have loved to follow the footsteps of Pierre Rabadan and make my career at Stade Francais. Alas, it is not possible.
“Another adventure opens before me. We'll see each other soon here and there, on a pitch or somewhere else. I leave with a heavy, broken heart. But my blood is and will always be a little pink.”
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I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.
Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.
Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.
They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.
That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.
Go to commentsGB = England, Scotland, Wales. UK = England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Nothing to stew son.
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