Jérôme Jarb moved to Denmark last year to work as a planner for railway projects, but Les Blues are never far from his heart and mind.

If history has any say, it will be a good summer. The last time France hosted the tournament in 1984, France beat Spain in the final with a team that included Michel Platini and Jean Tigana, and they also won when they hosted the 1998 World Cup.

In 2000, a Zinedine Zidane-led France again lifted the trophy, beating Italy in a golden goal thriller that spawned a moment Jérôme will never forget.

“We were all stuck to the TV, and when Trezeguet scored, we ran outside onto the football pitch and lit a lot of firecrackers we bought during the day. I was only 12, so no beer,” he remembers.

Jérôme’s first football memory came in Euro 1996 and going out to the Czech Republic in the semis. He was too nervous to watch the shootout and hid in the kitchen with his brother.

This time around, however, there will be no hiding. France will go all the way, he contends.

“I think France will win because we have a really strong offence and one of the most interesting midfields with Paul Pogba, Blaise Matuidi and N’Golo Kanté. The coach has done well over the past four years, and the group is nearly the same as the last World Cup, so I’m confident.” (CW)