TWO young football fans from Carmel College will be winging their way to France later this year for the World Cup Finals after winning sought-after tickets in an international competition.

Eighteen-year-olds Siobhan Lambertson and Sean Moran (ABOVE) were among just 11 winners from each country chosen in the Allons en France 98 competition, organised by the French Government to promote the country's language and culture.

Entrants were asked to submit a 2,500-word project in French along with a taped three-minute interview for an imaginary French radio station. After getting through to the final, Siobhan and Sean were then interviewed in French for half-an-hour about their projects and how they would benefit from a stay in France during the football finals.

Former Prescot High pupil Siobhan is studying for A Levels in French, Spanish, English Literature and Philosophy and has been offered a place at Oxford University to read French and Philosophy. Sean is studying French, Spanish, English Literature and Media Studies.

The lucky twosome were awarded their prizes during a star-studded evening at London's trendy Cafe de Paris club attended by Sports Minister Tony Banks, French Ambassador Jean Gueguionou, and a host of top footballers and actors.

The two-week trip will take place in July and, as well as the World Cup, the winners will be taken on various excursions in and around Paris.

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