LA PEAU DE L'OURS...
— Lucien Gamblin | 30/05/1924 —

The Olympic Tournament is of growing interest, the value of the teams present gives the most grandiose football event ever organized an unprecedented success in the annals of football in France.

And this value is affirmed daily by results that surprise even the initiated. Spain, which we saw as a finalist, or at least likely to go very far in the Tournament, was defeated by Italy.

Hungary, which put on an absolutely unparalleled exhibition against Turkey, was eliminated by Egypt, considered until now as an outsider.

But what to think of the disaster recorded by our good friends the Belgians? The defeat of our excellent neighbors distresses us to the same extent as a French defeat, and, while congratulating the Swedish "eleven" on the great success they have obtained, we must console our allies across Quiévrain, for whom this unexpected disaster may be beneficial. The 1920 Olympic winners had, it is understood, deserved well from their country. They, in Antwerp, had the colors of their nation hoisted on the glorious mast, they acquired, four years ago, incontestable glory, but the Belgian Selection Committee would have needed enough firmness to ignore any feeling of friendship and recognition. The old Belgians have not understood that there is a time when you have to know how to retreat into the tent. It is regular for the young to push the elders and take their place, it is a very human law, and, for not having wanted to apply this axiom, the Belgians saw their colors tarnished in the way that we know. Come on, the Guymonprez, the Houet, the Despae, work with courage, listen to the advice of the Musch, the Hanse, the Van Hegge, and soon the colors of your country will reappear at the very forefront of international football.

Yesterday, at the Stade Bergeyre, the public, literally enthusiastic about the exhibition provided by the Uruguayan team, did not fail to make a number of comparisons between the blue and white "eleven" and our national team. Opinions were not divided, everyone saw our tricolors soundly beaten. This is not my opinion. Despite its bad match on Tuesday against Latvia, our team still has a chance. Certainly, our players do not have a technique as perfect as that of the players from South America, their knowledge is also inferior, but their courage, their relevance constitute qualities which can allow them to hope for the greatest success.

We must not sell the bear's skin, witness the feat accomplished by Egypt vis-à-vis Hungary, which was generally considered a certain finalist.

French teammate, grit your teeth, fight with your heart, your means are different from those of most of your opponents, but they have their value and do not fear the reputation of the teams you are called upon to meet.