Categories: Sports

The greatest show on Earth has finally begun. No, not the Barnum and Bailey Circus. The World Cup. The excitement began to build weeks before the start. The thrashing of the Reggae Boyz by Ghana and England respectively eliminated any doubt in the minds of Jamaicans that we had a snowball’s chance in Hell of qualifying. So we, like other non-qualifying nations, chose ones that did. The three favourites are Germany, England and Brazil. I’m cheering for Brazil. Though the World Cup isn’t nearly as fun without your country qualifying, its still worth watching. The first match, Germany vs. Costa Rica was an excellent match. It was fast-paced and action packed, and though it was clear from the beginning that Germany would dominate the match, the Costa Ricans made them work for their victory. It ended 4-2. If that match was a reflection of the matches to come, then this will be a memorable World Cup indeed. Sadly, I didn’t catch much of the prior matches because of work.

Just about every nation on the face of the Earth has caught World Cup fever, except the Americans. Though they qualified, they don’t really care. Probably because they don’t get football. I’m sorry, soccer. Typical American attitude. If it’s not important to us, then it’s not important, period. They see the Superbowl as more important than the World Cup. Well, here’s why the World Cup is better the Superbowl. First, it’s bigger, with BILLIONS keeping track of the event all over the world. Secondly, it unites people. The Ivory Coast ended its civil war because its team qualified. Even opposing teams and their fans are united in the spirit of sportsmanship. The Superbowl polarizes America into factions. Even if you don’t support any of the two teams, you have to choose one if you want to participate. Beer bellied fans hurl obscene comments about the sexual relations of the opposing team’s players, whoop and holler for their team, while drinking enough beer to make an elephant drunk. They make frat boys look like boy scouts. In short, the World Cup pwns the Superbowl.

But let them be. They don’t know what they’re missing. The immense pride you and the rest of the nation feel when your team qualifies, the chest-tightening, heart-stopping excitement that rises as the ball nears the opposing team’s goal and the indescribable joy that burst forth when a goal is scored. Those are the things that make the World Cup more than a simple sporting event. It’s an experience. Congrats to the Soca Warriors for holding their own against the Swedes. I honestly didn’t think they could do it. So, which team are you cheering for?