JERICHO. West Bank. Oct 9 It was the biggest sports event for Palestinian? in the Israeli-occupied

territories in recent memory — and it could not have been choreographed better, reports Reuter

Up to 15.000 sports-starved fans packed a make-shift ata dium In the Weat Bank town of Jericho on Friday to nyatch French veteran aoccer greats like Michel Platini and Alain Giresae play a frleYidly match against their national team

Defying all expectations, the Palestinian team, playing together for the third time, beat the French 1 -0.

But the real win was for the thousands of Palestinians who saw their national side, picked from soccer clubs all over the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, play International stars under Palestinian national colours

This is a match that establishes links between two nations and two states. God willing." Muammar Ibselso. one of the organisers of the match, told Reuters

"We hope other countries will follow France's example."

The game, attended by diplomats from France and

other countries, was organised by Varletes Club de France, a club of French sports celebrl ties, and sponsored by Radio France and Canal Plus TV.

It follows the signing In Washington last month of an historic peaoe accord by Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organisation under which Israel will withdraw from Jericho and Gaza.

The purpose of the game Is fun." said Pierre Weill, Radio France's correspondent In Jerusalem. "But. of course. It's a consequence of die agreement lx-tween Israel and the PLO"

The French team, which plays some 50 matches a year to promote world peace. Is due to face Israeli players today.

Although French reporters travelling with their team were shocked by the condition of the bare and dusty playground, they said they were pleased by the tum-out and friendly atmosphere.

The Palestinian organisers turned the match into a big celebratory occasion, bringing in Boy Scout bands and decoration the stadium with Palestinian and French flags. Before the match, the French and Palestinian national anthems were played

Outside the stadium, ven dors sold soft drinks, falafel (frend chickpea pastel, sand

wicbes and boiled fava (jeans.

The biggest problems »r organisers was getting hundreds of fans off the field, and this delayed the match by half an hour.

"We have never played a foreign country," said Ibrahim Jadallah. 23. who travelled fpr nearly two hours from the southern West Bank town of* Hebron to see the match?

Once the field was clear, the ebb and flow of the play kept the fans on the edge of their seats.

The crowd burst into frenzied applause, rocking the rickety stadium seats, when Mahmoud Jarad Slnno. a 25-year-old striker from the West Bank's Askar Refugee Camp, scored the lone goal.

"Ill never forget that goal. It proves that all our people need is a chance." said Saeb Erekat. a senior pro-PLO figure in the occupied territories who represented PLO chairman Yasser Arafat at the match.

PlaUnl. hurrying to avoid the crowd waiting to greet him out side the changing room, described the match as "very good."

"1 hope in the next 10 to 20 years, there (will) be a Palestinian team playing in the World Cup." said Jean-Philippe Guillin. a sports commentator • for France 3 television