The iPINIONS Journal

Welcome! This is an unapologetic, agenda-free zone. Just commentaries on current events that’ll move you to think, laugh, rage, and even cry.

© Copyright 2005-2024 (Images appear pursuant to 17 U.S.C. sec 107)
You are here: Home / General / World Cup Update: Cry for Argentina; mighty Brazil has fallen; England is as England does…

World Cup Update: Cry for Argentina; mighty Brazil has fallen; England is as England does…

Monday, July 3, 2006 at 2:51 PM
Written by Anthony L. Hall
In this previous article (dated June 25), I lauded the heroic showing of my sentimental pick in this year’s World Cup, Trinidad and Tobago (T and T), before they were eliminated by quadrennial favorite England. I also reveled with undisguised schadenfreude, however, over the (superpower) U.S. being kicked out of contention by (Third World / third-rate) Ghana. Finally, I chose “Brazil, Brazil, Brazil” to win it all – despite overwhelming odds in favor of Germany and Argentina – after one of my readers challenged me to pick a team to replace T and T.

But oh what drama has played out since then:

Argentina is a nation in mourning after its team lost to Gerrmany. The world is still wondering how the boys from Brazil lost to France. And England is wallowing in perennial disappointment after its team (of lovable losers) lost to (upstart) Portugal.

Now we’re faced with the improbable and unseemly prospect of an all European semi-finals with Germany v. Italy and Portugal v. France. Which begs the question: Who (outside Europe) cares?

Truth be told, when these semis were finally set on Saturday afternoon, I couldn’t care any less. But after an enlightening chat that very evening with my new friend Dr Vukan Vuchic (about transportation systems, international politics and, yes, soccer), I acquired an appreciation for the German team that I did not think possible.

Therefore, after feeling irretrievably let down by Brazil, I shall continue watching to see if the Germans can uplift my interest in the World Cup finals….

2006 world cup

Reader Interactions

Comments

Leave a Reply