The France Victory Bus Took A Sad And Lonely Journey

France lost the Euro 2016 final in their national team's home stadium to a team missing its only truly world-class player. If only there was some object that could perfectly capture what that moment was like.

Hmm...France seem pretty confident! #Euro2016Final pic.twitter.com/WDw31qYRRN

— My Racing Tips (@myracingtips) July 10, 2016

We can only imagine what it was like for that poor driver when the call came over the radio: "Turn around, head back. There will be no celebration. We are not the 'Champions of Europe'. Oh, and don't let anybody see the bus. This night must be erased from history. Future generations must not know the folly of our overconfidence."

Fortunately for us, and unfortunately for France, we have this video of the bus in the middle of its journey to the Stade de France, a journey that would prove pointless. It's a solemn video in hindsight, like a scene from a movie when a likeable character volunteers for a suicide mission.

You expect a hand to be placed on your shoulder and to turn around and see a grizzled man with a moustache, and then the man says, "take a good long look, son. You won't be seeng that bus around these parts anymore."

We'll miss you, France victory bus. You served your purpose, as the perfect metaphor for France's defeat in the final, as well as you could have.

Contact The18 Staff Writer Sam Klomhaus at Klomhaus@The18.com or follow him on Twitter @SamKlomhaus