Well- woke up this morning so excited but will be going to bed so terribly low. England and Brazil out on the same day. No reason to follow the rest of the world cup now… Why am I feeling so dejected? I don’t even follow ‘normal’ football and have only learnt who Terry, Cole and Robinho are over the past 4 weeks. But there’s something about the world cup that carries you up and sweeps you away. And now we’re lost at sea– for another four years anyway.
d’oh.
Apologies for the plethora of football posts, but I seem to be spending a higher-than-average amount of time watching the World Cup this time round. I guess with my Argentine/Brazilian/English background, I’m entitled to multiple allegiances that means I stand a good chance of ‘my’ team getting through to the final!
I’ve found a site that generates Brazilian football shirts for you– my name comes up as Felix Sieca, which I can’t quite figure out. Lewis’ is more understandable– Lewildo. Who would you be if you were a Brazilian football star?
Have just watched the Holland-Portugal game (Portugal won 1-0)– you've never seen so much foul play. It was such a dirty game. There were 16 yellow cards, which, according to the commentators we were listening to, is equal to the world record for number of yellow cards given in a single game. 4 men were sent off the pitch (2 from each team) and there wasn't 5 minutes of play–especially in the second half–that wasn't interrupted by some pushing, diving shin-kicking or head-butting incident.
It reminded me of the football game on the Island of Naboo (in Bedknobs and Broomsticks). The ref, like Emelius Browne, seemed completely helpless to control the game or cool the tempers. All he could do was delve into his pocket for the precious stash of yellow cards.
All this foul play has, at least, worked in our favour– Costinha and Deco (two important players for Portugal)–won't be able to play against England in the quarter final on Saturday. Let's hope the rest of the team clean up their act by then, or all eyes will be on the ref instead of the ball.
Having grown up in Brasil, I can't help feel a little tingle down my back as the world cup finals start. I'm sitting in front of the first game as I type, waiting for kick-off…
and they're off. Costa Rica vs Germany– the first of 64 football games where legends are made and dreams of glory crushed (for most!) The funny thing is that, although I do still enjoy watching a good game every now and then, I really don't follow league football anymore. I used to as a kid (Corinthians was our team) but sort of lost interest somewhere in my early 20s.
[Goodness- first goal of the match. Germany have scored-- Philipp Hamm-- beautiful goal].
Where was I? Yes– having lost interest in football. But there's something special about the world cup. And something happens to people at the start of a world cup (at least, in England it does). Everyone has such high hopes and there is a real feeling of optimism in the streets. It happens for the Euro cup as well. Everybody smiling, flags waving and it feels sunny even if it isn't. The brotherly love doesn't stay for long, as we invariably get booted out in one of the early stages. But it's good while it lasts.
[Costa Rica have scored-- amazing! that was some poor defence. He just walked right into the goal!]
I've drawn England out of a hat for our world cup sweepstake. But that's not why I'll be cheering for England. I want to hang on to the general feeling of optimism around for as long as possible. Go England! (and Brasil– would be disloyal for anyone who's spent any time living in Brasil not to cheer for them!)
Powered by WordPress.com
