They think it’s all over and they are right. The long suffering partners of soccer aficionados will cheer with relief that they can get their home life back to normal without the couch potato sprawled in front of the TV almost every evening, banning kids from the living room, grunting, drinking beer and screaming profanities at the box. It is final night so I am on the brandy – Hennessy.
The 2010 world Cup tournament in South Africa fell far short of being the fine spectacle many predicted. The fear of losing stifled the risk-taking so necessary for free-flowing and creative soccer. The banality of the general performances sort of makes the argument for having inflicted it on the family to begin with rather suspect. They wonder why they should have their lives disrupted for something so useless, having to listen to more ranting than cheering. Yet, as the scorpion said to the frog ‘it’s in my nature’. It is our drug of choice to which we are addicted. There was a lot of interest down here today in the Gaelic match between Louth and Meath. Flags and bunting adorned but it’s just not for me. Soccer is my sporting tipple. Can’t really account for taste, the feel good factor is its own justification.
The entire FIFA tournament was a feast of mediocrity and a famine of talent. Exciting as cricket, it didn’t change much with the exit of the minnows and the underdogs like North Korea, New Zealand and England. Although new first time world champions have been crowned tonight’s final was as dull as it was dirty. The Spanish deserved to win if for no other reason than the dirty Dutch tried to kick rather than play their way to victory. Five yellow cards shared between the two sides within half an hour a sending off looked certain. By 56 minutes the Dutch had managed five yellows all on their own to which my wife responded ‘what a horrible way for the tournament to end. The foulest game is what it should be called.’ By the time 90 minutes had expired 9 yellows had been handed out. In the second period of extra time, the inevitable happened. The Dutch were lucky to be reduced only to ten men.
How Zidane was sent off in the previous final in Germany in 2006 for a head butt to the chest of an Italian player and De Jong of Holland escaped with a yellow for a first half flying boot to the chest of Xabi Alonso beggars belief. Had the right decision been taken then the match might never have reached extra time.
Alan Hanson, the former Liverpool captain and current TV pundit, described it as total thuggery rather than total football for which Holland under the tutelage of Johann Cryuff were once famed. At half time the Dutch should only have had nine men on the pitch. The English referee marshalled the game as well as the England team played throughout the tournament. At times Holland reminded me of Argentina in 1966 or Uruguay in1986.
Anti-climatic World Cup finals have become the norm. Spain to their credit ensured this final didn’t end in a 0-0 draw to be decided on penalties. No way to end the biggest sporting event on the planet. Moreover, it seems worthy that Diego Forlan of Uruguay should be awarded player of the tournament. That his skills failed to grace the final is something to be rued. Van Bommel there instead - a disgrace. Pauper before the prince. Give us Barabbas screamed the mob and their wish was granted.
Spain, worthy winners on the night over the thugs of Holland, are crowned kings of a kingdom lacking in princes of flair.
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Marie won £25 smakerers that us eating something other than beans next week thank f##k,
ReplyDeleteThe dutch were a shocker, and complaining about the ref' today into the bargain. Insulting on and off the pitch. Thank goodness for once evil did not prevail and Spain did it. Quite fitting Dutch hearts were broken at the last ditch moment as it was what they deserved after subjecting us to 100 odd minutes of scynicism and brutality....sweet!!
ReplyDeleteDon't much follow the GAA either Mackers...like baseball and American football it soaks up the energy and youth of a nation into a sport that's irrelevant elsewhere. What a waste.
Great piece, Anthony. After that World Cup, I'm left wondering what the hell went wrong. Where was the flair? The great games? Where the hell was Messi? And the Jabulani? They'd have been better off playing with a beach ball. Glad Spain won, though, even if they were not at their best.
ReplyDeleteMackers, 'couch potato, sittting drinking and swearing in front of the T.V' Had no idea that was only a World Cup thing, Alberts like that all year round.
ReplyDeleteGlad Marie got her twenty five quid, hope she spends it on herself.
Beans are good for you Marty, high in protein and low in fat.
Well, so the shinners and the tories say, thats why they are encouraging us to eat more of them.
Larry-
ReplyDeleteIt's a waste to love a sport if it's not universally followed? I enjoy american football because of the action, the offensive and defensive strategies involved, the hitting and because its a part of my culture. I really could not care less if Koreans Brasilians or Nigerians or the French don't care about it.
Agh Ryan,
ReplyDeleteand there was me thinking it was the cheerleaders the junk food and an excuse to spend 4 hours watching a 30 minute game. Maybe you could pass on your admirable attitude on other countries to the Whitehouse??
Nuala,
ReplyDeleteIt’s an Albert thing!! We just follow the example he sets!!
Alfie and Larry
I too was glad that Spain won but only on the night. They sucked the creativity and flair out of the game throughout. I suppose getting beat by the Swiss in the opening game made them over cautious. I normally like the Dutch but they were thugs, more like an old style South American outfit. Van Bommel and De Jong should try kick boxing. More in tune with their talents.
Larry and Mackers-
ReplyDeletedid you hear that the World Bank just completed a study on the world's easiest jobs. Top of the list:2010 FIFA World Cup scoreboard operator. Most days they didn't need to lift a finger
World Cup 2014
ReplyDeleteWeeks before kick off and Martin McGuiness drew England and wants the 'orangies' to win. At the Opening Ceromony there was some crowd control issues whilre Martin & Peter are topping up there sun tans I reckon they are probably getting more money for I hope they used Project Kelvin mk2 And while millions were watching Holland thrash Spain (which sounded like a good match) the .locals were getting the shit kicked out of them by the Brazilian 'B-special' because they wanted the billions it cost to stage spent on food.
World Cup 2014
ReplyDeleteWhile Martin McGuinness's England lose their first match against the wily Italians over in the six counties Loyalists have problems in recognising one tri-colour from another... Maybe they had the same Geography teacher as Willie Frazer once had.
Mean while back in Brazil a Brazilian police officer was filmed firing what appear to be live rounds just as Messi was entertaining the rest of the world.
World Cup 2014
ReplyDeleteLike the DFM Mick Goodman also drew the dreaded England ticket but in a show of genuine sportsmanship the residents of west Belfast are taking in the atmosphere of Brazil 2014 in the spirit it is meant. While over in Kenya they faced their own loughinisland massacre when al Shabaab the Islamic extremist Somalian group killed at least 50 innocent people while watching a football match..
Mean while back in Brazil the police fire baton rounds to keep the hungry hoards away from the TV screens..because.......
"Critics say the USD 11 billion being spent on the international sports event should be invested in better health, education services, transportation, and housing for Brazilians."...
World Cup 2014
ReplyDeleteWhile the DFM sweats over the position of Wayne Rooney. Researchers from Lancaster University have raised concerns over the increase of domestic violence. during the World Cup. While a pregnant woman sweats on what harm her abusive partener may have inflicted on her yet un born baby after being kicked like a football shortly after Englands defeat to Italy.
Over Nigeria a suicide bomber inflicts another loughinisland styled massacre as the rest of the world watch Brazil draw against Mexico.