Bradley Danger will never forget the date of May 22, 2015. That day, in Burgas in Bulgaria, the France U 17 team corrected Germany (4-1) to win the title of European Champion of the category.
The defender of Chambly (L 2), in search of a first success in front of Châteauroux this Saturday evening (7 p.m.), belonged to this golden generation, whose French football is starting to reap the benefits.
Jonathan Ikoné (Lille) and Dayot Upamecano (Leipzig), called up to the A's in September 2019 and 2020 respectively, were in the team, as was the Lyonnais Jeff Reine-Adélaïde.
At the time, Danger, who arrived in Oise this summer from Avranches (National) was a resident of the training center in Le Havre.
After missing the last qualifying round due to a sprained ankle, he played only one meeting, against Greece in the group stage.
Not enough to spoil this indelible memory.
“Even though I was a little frustrated that I couldn't play more, I was still very proud to be there,” recalls the 22-year-old.
It certainly remains the best memory of my career… ”
A meeting with Zinedine Zidane
Extracted for a few weeks from the cocoon of his Norman training center, the Camblysien had the feeling of jumping with both feet into the deep pool of professionalism.
“It was a little crazy.
I never imagined going through such a thing as a kid, he says.
The invitation to Clairefontaine, the preparation, the trip, you could feel the atmosphere of the big meetings.
We were in big hotels with all the nations.
There were also meetings to discuss sports betting or doping.
I gained a lot of experience and maturity in a very short time.
Everything was disproportionate, it was another world.
Happiness never comes alone, the teenager and his friends are entitled to another gift on their return to France.
Invited by the Federation to the friendly match France-Belgium, they meet at half-time a certain Zinedine Zidane, whose son Luca was the team's goalkeeper.
“We were able to chat with him and take some pictures,” smiles Danger.
He was very approachable.
Luca knew very well that for us, his father was an idol.
But he was very humble about it, he didn't want to be seen as a player apart.
"
Since this extraordinary adventure, each of these Bleuets has pursued its own path, with more or less visibility.
When Danger has been discovering Ligue 2 for two months, some of his former teammates are therefore pointing their noses in the selection of Didier Deschamps.
“I am proud of them, they deserve it, breathes the Camblysian, without any jealousy.
Afterwards, everyone has their career, their course.
There are a lot of things that come into play, choices, injuries, and you can't control everything.
Their success motivates me to continue to progress, at my own pace… ”
CHAMBLY - CHÂTEAUROUX, this Saturday (7 p.m.), at the Pierre-Brisson stadium in Beauvais.
Referee: M. Kherradji.
Chambly: Pontdemé - Danger, Jaques (cap.), Dequaire - Soubervie, Derrien, Beaulieu, Flochon, El Hriti - Susnjara, Stojanovski.
Entr.
: B. Luzi.
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Châteauroux: Fabri - Fofana, Cissé, Mboné (cap.), Alhadur - Sanganté, Mulumba - Nouri, Leroy, Sunu - Kény.
Entr.
: Usai.
