My thoughts on…the start of the 2006 World Cup
June 12th 2006 -
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?
Related Posts:
- My thoughts on…the Soca Warriors’ World Cup journey
- My thoughts on…the end of the 2006 World Cup
- My thoughts on…The 2006 World Cup draw
- My thoughts on..Jamaica’s loss to England
- My thoughts on…Germany’s loss to Italy
Dr. D. Says:
June 12th, 2006 at 5:09 pm
Yeah man, once World Cup on me inna mi element.
I haven’t seen all matches yet.
Soca Warriors did well for their draw. I haven’t seen Brazil (I have always loved their style), Argentina or England in action. Ghana looked good ‘gainst Italy, tho a mistake cost them a goal. Heard that Ivory Coast looked good too, but I missed that one…was travelling.
Anyway, more good stuff to come. Let the ball roll.
Margaret Feinberg Says:
June 12th, 2006 at 7:01 pm
At a recent set of meetings, we had one member who asked that no one tell him the score until he got to see at home on his recorder~now, that’s a fan.
Åñèè§å Says:
June 12th, 2006 at 10:22 pm
Soca Warriors all the way :)….I can’t help it I’m a trini….yeah everyone really has the world cup fever…in trinidad when the warriors were leavin they went around trinidad visiting different places….everyone had on red white and black….and when they have a match….u mostly see ppl sprting the national colours (red white and black)then there are the flags on their cars….and the banner on the front of their cars….some ppl have the national colours painted on their cars….and now there is a contest dealing with body paint….all in the name of football….if ppl united against crime as they did football in trinidad it would be such a bueatiful thing…
Stunner Says:
June 13th, 2006 at 1:54 am
Yes mi yute, World Cup is here again. I have watched a couple of matches, but I have not been glued to the TV though.
I am glad T&T at least drew their first match.
Anonymous Says:
June 13th, 2006 at 7:39 pm
Argentina is my fave.But I like a lot of other teams too
Abeni Says:
June 13th, 2006 at 7:41 pm
Anonymous was me
Dirty Butter Says:
June 14th, 2006 at 12:35 pm
I’m one of those Americans who’s just not interested in footbal. You mentioned in one of your posts about how unifying the World Cup matches are. Does that mean we won’t see those horrible fan riots that seem to be so common at the end of soccer games? I sure hope so.
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Mike B Says:
June 16th, 2006 at 9:39 pm
I appreciate your post at my blog, although I disagree with your animosity towards American football(soccer).
I happen to love the game. I am a big fan of Club America from Mexico and FC Dallas. I have not missed one game of the World Cup this year and do not anticipate missing any of the others.
The game is growing in America as is evident in the increasing attendance of MLS games and as well in the play of the U.S. team.
With the U.S. finishing 1st in CONCACAF qaulifying and ranked #5 in the world by FIFA it is a little naive to assume that they are not interested. As a matter of fact compared to the dominant countries the U.S. is still a newborn compared to the history of the game and the depth of talent in our country and yet we are already ranked as high or higher than some of them.
David Kim Says:
June 16th, 2006 at 10:28 pm
Go Korea!
Mar Says:
June 17th, 2006 at 10:18 am
YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE futbol…I am a fan. I don’t understand why you guys call it soccer it drives me crazy! Any how I am recording every single game…this is the best time of the year!!!
Go Argentina!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
shrinkmamma Says:
June 21st, 2006 at 12:30 am
Brasil all the way, baby!