France coach Thierry Henry described his team's Olympic performance as "magical" despite their agonising extra-time defeat against Spain in the men's football final in Paris on Friday.
"I told the players they had done something magical and that I was so proud of them. In the end we have medals. It didn't finish the way we wanted it to but it was still really an extraordinary evening," France legend Henry said after his side lost 5-3 in a classic match.
Enzo Millot gave France an early advantage at the Parc des Princes only for Spain to come back and lead 3-1 by half-time.
However, Maghnes Akliouche pulled one back and a last-gasp Jean-Philippe Mateta penalty made it 3-3 to force extra time, in which Sergio Camello scored twice for Spain to hand them gold.
"What is really important for me is that the team really fought. There really wasn't much in it in the end, so we can't say the team didn't fight, from the first to the last minute of every game," Henry said after France claimed silver, their first football medal since winning gold in 1984.
"I would have preferred to win, but we must still celebrate this. It is the first time in my life where I have lost a final but won a medal all the same," added the former Arsenal and Barcelona star.
"That is what is great about the Olympics. It has been an extraordinary human adventure. This team have earned my respect for life," he said.
Overage player and captain Alexandre Lacazette, who last played for the senior French team in 2017, also described their Olympic run as unforgettable.
"To Henry, thank you for trusting me and making me wear the blue (French) jersey again," the 33-year-old striker said.
"I will remember the journey, the fact that I could wear the blue jersey again, the atmospheres that we had. I think all the French are proud of us after all. Even if we are disappointed," Lacazette added.
"I don't know if this match was the most important but it's one of the most beautiful matches in terms of emotions."
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, Reuters)
