When Jérémy Gavanon strode out onto the Ullevi Arena in Gothenburg 45 minutes into the 2004 UEFA Cup Final, the young goalkeeper knew he had an opportunity to write his name into Marseille folklore.

With the game still goalless, Fabien Barthez, who himself had won the Champions’ League with Marseille in his breakthrough season (1992/93), had just been sent off and Valencia had a penalty. By saving the spot kick and inspiring ten-man Marseille to victory, Gavanon could have become a hero.

Reality quickly hit home, however.

Vicente coolly stroked in the penalty, Gavanon diving the wrong way, then Mista sealed victory for Valencia with a second goal after the break. Marseille’s European dream was over - as was Gavanon’s brief flirtation with fame.

It was not Gavanon’s first European experience. He had surprisingly been thrust into the first team in the Champions’ League early that season after the Coach Alain Perrin had fallen out with Croatian custodian Vedran Runje. Aged 20 at the time Gavanon excelled, helping Marseille to a 1-1 draw with Partizan in a hostile atmosphere in Belgrade.

Gavanon barely featured in the early stages of the 2004/05 season, but was finally given an extended run in the team towards the end, after Barthez started a suspension for spitting on a referee.

Barthez believes the current France Under-21 custodian is a more than capable deputy. “Jérémy is a player I am going to follow very closely in the future,” said the former World Cup winner. “He has so much talent, I’m intrigued to see how far he will go. When you see how hard he works during the week, you realise that he has a big future. Plus he’s an adorable guy. He’s mentally tough and he really listens to the advice of the more experienced players.”

High praise indeed, and Marseille’s goalkeeping Coach Laurent Spinosi agrees, describing Gavanon as “a modern goalkeeper” and adding: “He is technically excellent, has two good feet and safe hands.” The blond shot-stopper himself is happy for now to fill in for Barthez when called upon, but will surely be hoping to establish himself as the club's No 1 in the coming years.