The World Cup brings out the worst in me. Several weeks back I made a plan to visit my mom tonight, thinking it would be a nice thing to do as summer revs up. Then I remembered the World Cup thing and had to backtrack very rapidly. Its not even really a crisis of conscience because I feel as if I physically have to watch every game, in its full.
And to prove that this wasn't a crude family snub, my mettle was tested as I left work. A group of 15 or so colleagues all hanging around outside, congregating for the obligatory Friday pub visit.
Would I like to go to the pub?
"But I can't" I mumble, as I power walk home to hit the tivo hard. "6 hours of football to do". Its desperate, the compulsion to avoid all media. Honestly, at 5:30pm today the most tragic thing that could have happened would be for someone to have given away the fact that Mexico v Cameroon was still locked in a turgid 0-0 stalemate. I will find that out for myself thanks very much.
So - whether you are family, acquaintance, friend for life or whatever - the next 4 weeks is a glitch, a blip, an uncontrollable event.
As for tonight. Well, Mexico together with hispanic Del Boy as their manager grabbed a deserved win over Cameroon. I'd had them down for a boring draw; but they were well worth it - though neither team in all honesty was much good.
In contrast, Spain vs Holland was exceptional. It started much as the World Cup final in 2010 played out. Spain tica taca-ing away and Holland periodically swiping, kicking and swinging at them. But after Spain had taken their lead - Holland seemed to unleash the whoopass. Van Persie scored a sublime headed equaliser and then he and Robben proceeded to destroy a rapidly wilting Spanish backline. I'm not a fan of Robben but he is a hugely effective player. The 5-1 end result was nothing less than Holland deserved (or Spain for that matter) and the result makes the match between Spain and Chile absolutely massive.
Which brings me to now. I'm looking forward to seeing Chile. I've got them down to exit in the group stage, even assuming they win tonight, but some pundits really rate them. Let's see.
And to prove that this wasn't a crude family snub, my mettle was tested as I left work. A group of 15 or so colleagues all hanging around outside, congregating for the obligatory Friday pub visit.
Would I like to go to the pub?
"But I can't" I mumble, as I power walk home to hit the tivo hard. "6 hours of football to do". Its desperate, the compulsion to avoid all media. Honestly, at 5:30pm today the most tragic thing that could have happened would be for someone to have given away the fact that Mexico v Cameroon was still locked in a turgid 0-0 stalemate. I will find that out for myself thanks very much.
So - whether you are family, acquaintance, friend for life or whatever - the next 4 weeks is a glitch, a blip, an uncontrollable event.
As for tonight. Well, Mexico together with hispanic Del Boy as their manager grabbed a deserved win over Cameroon. I'd had them down for a boring draw; but they were well worth it - though neither team in all honesty was much good.
In contrast, Spain vs Holland was exceptional. It started much as the World Cup final in 2010 played out. Spain tica taca-ing away and Holland periodically swiping, kicking and swinging at them. But after Spain had taken their lead - Holland seemed to unleash the whoopass. Van Persie scored a sublime headed equaliser and then he and Robben proceeded to destroy a rapidly wilting Spanish backline. I'm not a fan of Robben but he is a hugely effective player. The 5-1 end result was nothing less than Holland deserved (or Spain for that matter) and the result makes the match between Spain and Chile absolutely massive.
Which brings me to now. I'm looking forward to seeing Chile. I've got them down to exit in the group stage, even assuming they win tonight, but some pundits really rate them. Let's see.
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