NEW JERSEY. France against Sweden.
Then Sportbladet called Jan Guillou – who is deeply divided before the match.
– The situation is incredibly tricky emotionally, says the author and journalist.
Jan Guillou is divided. When Sweden meets France in the World Cup, he has a foot in both camps. The 82-year-old’s father was French and Guillou is also a French citizen. The many loyalties have been a yoke to bear during the summer championships.
Because it does not stop at Sweden and France.
– The truth is that I play football in three countries. Sweden, France and Norway (Guillou’s mother was Norwegian). When Norway met France now, I was put to my first test. I chose Norway because they were underdogs. It was the only way to distinguish between the teams.
Soon he had second thoughts. Norway basically rested the entire first team and came into the game with a reserve eleven.
– Then I changed sympathies. Norway played a lay-in match! It doesn’t belong in the WC. When Norway cheats like that, you have to change sides.
The anxiety: “Incredibly tricky”
Now he is faced with an even more difficult test. You can hear the anguish in Guillou’s voice when he reflects on the match.
How do you see your Sweden meeting your France?
– I’m sticking with Sweden, but I’m not as disappointed when Sweden loses against France as I would be if it was another opponent. Because the same reasoning as before also applies here: Sweden is the underdog. But this is awkward. The situation is emotionally incredibly tricky.
Who are your favorite players on each team?
– You can’t escape your admiration for Viktor Gyökeres. In France, I hope Kylian Mbappé will overtake that tax evader from Argentina in the shooting league.
During the interview, Guillou is consistent. He does not mention Lionel Messi by name, but settles for “the tax evader”. Guillou refers to Messi’s tax crimes in Spain.
– The top scorer in a single World Cup was the Frenchman Just Fontaine. He scored 13 goals in his only championship in 1958 and that’s something the Argentine tax dodger will never be able to do in a single World Cup.
Paying tribute to Thuram
Jan Guillou is also satisfied that the politically aware Kylian Mbappé is leading the French forces during this summer’s World Cup.
– Typical of the French national team. It is a legacy of world champion and defender Lilian Thuram. He gave the world’s best interview answer. Jean-Marie Le Pen, leader of the National Front, said the black players were not French. When Thuram was asked to comment, he only said “I’m not black, I’m French”. There he created a culture of anti-racism. It makes the French team very likable.
How is the match going – does Sweden have a chance?
– It is if France underestimates Sweden. In a knock-out game, however, I find it hard to see that happening. I tip 3-1 to France. The Swedish team has moved up since the flat match against the Netherlands. France goes all the way to the final against Argentina like four years ago, but this time France wins.
What does France have that Sweden lacks?
– My food and wine preferences are French. Swedish cuisine has certainly improved significantly in the last 20–30 years, but is still nowhere near the French. As for wine… there are valiant attempts in Sweden, such as in Halland, where wine is produced. But it takes another thousand years of training before you catch up with France.
What does Sweden have that France lacks?
– Sweden now has a more decent climate. In summer it is better here than in France. For better or for worse.
The national team
