South Koreans exultant as French do the clan-clan
As Lagerback fumes over Nigeria's failure to overcome South Korea, the French leave with the wooden spoon
Issued on: Modified:
Once upon a time a radio station in Britain - let’s call it the BBC - serialised Scandanavian sagas. They were recounted in the afternoon and I’d listen as I got ready for work.
The one that stands out was a about a warrior – I can’t remember his name so let’s call him Olaf - and he was known for his forebearance. It was legendary.
So the locals named him Olaf Slow To Anger. There were others around such as Henrik Quick to Hack and loose ladies like Gudrun Ready to Bed.
The on-the-make warlords would try to wind up Olaf Slow to Anger but he refused to fight. When his wife was tricked into cavorting with another regional strong man, Olaf didn’t get riled.
But then someone did something incidental like kick Olaf Slow To Anger’s favourite hunting dog and then Olaf went Viking.
His wrath was as long as his anger was slow to erupt. Tough guys went down, would-be hard men were carved into pieces and anyone who just happened to have eyeballed him a few years back was diced up for the crows.
I was reminded of the tale as I sat and watched the Swedish coach Lars Lagerback as he chronicled the demise of Nigeria from the World Cup.
On Tuesday night they became the third African side to exit the first World Cup in etc etc etc.
Nigeria needed to beat South Korea and advance while hoping that Argentina beat Greece.
The South Americans did their bit but the Super Eagles could only draw with the Asians.
The South Koreans are superdelighted. They’re into the last 16 for the first time on foreign soil.
The Celtic midfielder Ki Sung-Yeung told me it was a huge achievement for the squad.
They celebrated after the match. And were joyous as they passed through the mixed zone for interviews with reporters.
The way they battled and fought for each other was instructive. It was a stark contrast to the France team which has left the tournament with the wooden spoon from Group A.
On paper France should have waltzed into the last 16. But the players were spending their energy on backbiting and cliques. They were doing a clan-clan.
The France coach Raymond Domenech rounded the shenanigans off with refusing to shake the hand of the South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira. It apparantly stemmed from comments Parreira made after France’s Thierry Henry handled the ball in the prelude to a goal scored during the World Cup play off against the Republic of Ireland.
The Nigerians are out because they didn’t capitalise on the chances they created. Kanu, their veteran attacker, rued how they miscued in front of goal.
The French hardly made any chances in their games. It’s been reported that the team is going to be arriving back in France at the dead of night.
In the cold light of day, many of the players will squirm as they realise what a laughing stock they’ve become. They’ll emerge from their designer-encrusted bubble to see that the wrath of the fans will be as long as Olaf’s anger was slow to erupt.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning
Subscribe