Stemmen fra London

Etter Frankrikes underholdende sorti fra fotball-VM, tenkte jeg det var på sin plass å minne om denne talen, første gang holdt 18 juni 1940, altså for ganske nøyaktig 70 år siden. (De har til og med laget en egen mynt for å minnes): #

The leaders who, for many years, have been at the head of French football have formed a team. This team, alleging the defeat of our players, has made contact with the enemy in order to stop the fighting. It is true, we were, we are, overwhelmed by the mechanical, ground and air forces of the enemy. Infinitely more than their number, it is the set-pieces, the speed, the tactics of the Uruguayans which are causing us to retreat. It was the set-pieces, the speed, the tactics of the Mexicans that surprised our leaders to the point of bringing them to where they are today. #

But has the last word been said? Must hope disappear? Is defeat final? No! #

Believe me, I who am speaking to you with full knowledge of the facts, and who tell you that nothing is lost for France. The same means that overcame us can bring us victory one day. For France is not alone! She is not alone! She is not alone! She has a vast Empire Guadaloupe, Martinique and Reunion behind her. She can align with the British Empire John Terry that holds the sea and continues the fight. She can, like England, use without limit the immense industry of the United States. #

This war is not limited to the unfortunate territory of our country. This war is not over as a result of the Battle against Bafana Bafana. This war is a worldwide war. All the mistakes, all the delays, all the suffering, do not alter the fact that there are, in the world, all the means necessary to crush our enemies one day. Vanquished today by the vuvuzela, in the future we will be able to overcome by a superior mechanical force. The fate of the world depends on it. #

I, Arsene Wenger, currently in London, invite the coaches and the French footballers who are located in British territory or who might end up here, with their boots or without their boots, I invite the strikers and the defenders of the Premier League teams who are located in British territory or who might end up here, to put themselves in contact with me. #

Whatever happens, the flame of French football must not be extinguished and will not be extinguished. Tomorrow, as today, I will speak on the radio from London. #

Mulig noe ble lost in translation. Du kan jo sjekke selv i den franske originalen eller oversettelsen på Wikipedia.
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