Scoring heroes not big in celebrating

PARIS, July 12: France or Brazil will win the World Cup today but other players can claim to be trend-setting champions at celebrating goals...

PARIS, July 12: France or Brazil will win the World Cup today but other players can claim to be trend-setting champions at celebrating goals.Brazilian striker Ronaldo, from the world8217;s most soccer-crazed nation that takes partying to surreal levels, has scored four times but rarely shown much more imagination afterwards than running with outstretched arms.

Striker Bebeto likes to escape at speed, weaving away from his team-mates before finding someone he chooses to embrace, while Rivaldo blows kisses to the crowd.

Frankly, in the land of the intellectual, the offerings are not up to the thought-provoking best of the rest.

In France, where plenty of players have been diving or play-acting, the trend is towards the statuesque 8212; standing or sitting immobile with a pensive look or smug grin.

And the greatest exponent will be absent today.

That accolade must go to Denmark8217;s Brian Laudrup for his languid impersonation of the potentate reclining casually with his legs crossed and head propped up on onearm.

The gesture says it all: Easy, no sweat, what8217;s the fuss ?

The world witnessed it after he scored against Brazil in Denmark8217;s 3-2 quarter-final defeat by the champions. Dutchman Patrick Kluivert has perfected the corner-flag pose, standing cockily with one hand on top of the pole and the other resting on his hip. He did that after scoring against Brazil as well.

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Italy8217;s Christian Vieri sat crossed-legged after scoring against Norway for his fifth goal of the tournament, joined by Alessandro Del Piero sitting rock still opposite him.

The best hope this weekend for connoisseurs of such delightful madness is for France8217;s Christophe Dugarry to score, assuming he gets a chance to come off the bench.

The Marseille player stands tall above his team-mates for the knee-pumping, arm-flailing celebrations with his tongue sticking out and his eyes popping after scoring France8217;s opener in the 4-0 first round defeat of Saudi Arabia.

No other French player can better that, although Lilian Thuram8217;s finedouble against Croatia in the semi-finals allowed the fans to witness a somewhat watered-down version of the 8220;philosopher deep in creative thought8221; look.For his first international goal, Thuram stood still as his team-mates mobbed him. He was probably too shocked by what he had just done even to think about reacting.

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For his second, the Parma defender added a slight, stylised crouch to the rigid pose, with fingers drawn across the lips.

Today is unlikely to be a day for nonchalance or intellectuals, but for history. A win will do and never mind the frolics.