French party as Portuguese bemoan The Curse of the Cockerel

WHEN it comes to holding a party the French can compete with anyone, but as the pre-match festivities get into full swing, the Italians seem to be one-nil up.

Maybe it’s the memories of last year’s riots, maybe it’s the current political mood. As France celebrated the win against Portugal, the media focused as much on the mobilisation of the police and firefighters as on the fans on the streets.

Up to half a million people were milling around central Paris on Wednesday night and Le Figaro reported that “no less than 25 units of riot police were mobilised in Paris and the provinces”, with emergency plans in force in cities from Brittany to Provence, as well as the Paris suburbs.

Happily the fans just wanted to enjoy themselves, and nowhere more than by the sea in Boeuldieu, near Boulogne, where Franck Ribery grew up. The neighbours were organising a barbecue.

“I grew up with him,” Tony Pinte told Dalil Kenz of Le Figaro, with a smile, pointing up a at the big screen. “He’s a genius. When he comes back here he always plays football with the kids. Next time he’ll be bringing Zidane with him.”

The French, like the Italians, now have the feeling that history is on their side.

Aime Jacquet, coach when they won the World Cup in 1998, told Le Monde: “Yes, there are some similarities. The spirit and the sense of identity of the team are the same. What counts is respecting a certain number of principles. For example: an iron defence.

“I know this idea doesn’t appeal to people in France, but if you want to be among the best, you have to start with a good defence.”

For L’Equipe the Portuguese were the first truly big test — bigger than Brazil — but they needed “to think more about the ball rather than taking dives, each one more stupid than the last”.

The “intimidation of the referee was detestable, both from the bench and from the players on the pitch.”

Needless to say, this was not how the Portuguese press saw the game.

The Curse of the Cockerel was O Jogo’s verdict.

“Once again a penalty, once again an injustice. There was courage, heart, persistence, but France came through against Portugal as Portugal came through against Holland; suffering, united, and aware that they must not miss the chance of reaching the final. Seen like that they deserved it. But as for the football, the team that played better was the one that went home.”