GRENOBLE, France — Marilyn Allen and Jeanette Lewis departed Jamaica for France with one aim and one aim only — to make the most of being a part of Jamaican history at the Fifa Women’s World Cup.

So even when the two ran into difficulties during their travels, it was not enough to dampen their excitement of seeing Jamaica’s history-making women footballers take on Brazil in Grenoble on Sunday.

Allen, a real estate consultant, is the winner of the Jamaica Observer Ultimate Fan Promotion, best friend and confidante, Lewis, as her travelling partner to this European country to be a part of the memorable experience.

Both women were scheduled to travel through London Gatwick courtesy of British Airways and then onward to Lyon, but somehow the two got separated, reuniting just ahead of the Reggae Girlz Group C kick-off at the Stade des Alpes.

But, while the Girlz lost 0-3 to the highly fancied South Americans, Lewis, who is no stranger to France, was thrilled by the excitement of being in an electrifying atmosphere, which saw a large Jamaican contingent making up the 17,668 in attendance.

“It was horrible and we were separated for 24 hours with Marilyn ending up in Paris for the night on Saturday. But she arrived in Lyon in time for us to go and have a fantastic day at the Women’s World Cup.

“The energy in the stadium was electric. We enjoyed the first half in the stands and then were invited to the Alacran Foundation’s hospitality lounge (Reggae Girlz sponsor) where we met Cedella Marley and we stayed there for the second half and ended up being the last to leave the stadium,” Lewis told the Jamaica Observer.

“People spotted us on the TV broadcast and sent us a photo, and that was cool. The match was exciting; we are disappointed that Brazil won, but the Reggae Girlz did a great job and our goalie was superb and we loved her pink gear,” she added.

Meanwhile, Allen, who was also at Gatwick for 12 hours, believes the Girlz will do well in their other Group C matches against Italy on Friday and Australia next Tuesday.

“I only experienced the exciting match day, meeting Cedella and Sherona Forrester, the former Reggae Girl. Otherwise, it’s been a lot of trains and rainy weather,” Allen shared.

“The Reggae Girlz were playing against real champions, and for me the experience that they had yesterday (Sunday) is preparing them for the other games that they have, and I expect and I know that they will do much better.

“Because they have now been exposed to what World Cup football is like and it was a good challenge for them. So I have absolutely no fear that they will not do well,” she added.

The two are scheduled to return to Jamaica tomorrow.

Other sponsors of the Ultimate Fan Promotion were Supreme Ventures Limited, Wisynco (Wata), Total, Jamaica Football Federation, and Sandals Resorts International.

For the chance to win, Observer readers were asked to fill out an entry form published in the newspaper, attach any Wata label, and then deposit the complete package at any of the 57 Total gas stations across the island or any Jamaica Observer office in Kingston, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, or Mandeville.