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 -- standing or sitting immobile with a pensive look or smug grin.

And the greatest exponent will be absent today.

That accolade must go to Denmark'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, what's the fuss ?

The world witnessed it after he scored against Brazil in Denmark'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.

Italy'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 France'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 France's opener in the 4-0 first round defeat of Saudi Arabia.

No other French player can better that, although Lilian Thuram's finedouble against Croatia in the semi-finals allowed the fans to witness a somewhat watered-down version of the ``philosopher deep in creative thought'' 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.

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.