Now that I've seen every qualifying game, quarterfinal and semifinal, we're ready for the big games on Saturday and Sunday: Uruguay vs. Germany and Spain vs. the Netherlands.
I should have listened from the getgo to my friend and favorite poet, Kenny Pearson, who told me that the final was going to be Spain vs. the Netherlands. I might have even won my nephew's office pool except that I'm still not certain of the final outcome: Spain? The Netherlands?
Well, I did get one of my wishes anyway. I hoped that if Italy or Argentina could not win, then a nation that had never claimed the Cup would be the winner. We have that now. Can you imagine how exciting it is right now to be in Spain or the Netherlands? The parties have already started.
And we have the World Cup being staged in Mother Africa which is a first. And we have the outcome of Spain and the Netherlands: another first!
However, I do have to say a word about Diego Forlan and Uruguay. I knew nothing about him or the team but every game that Uruguay played, especially the last one with Ghana, was fabulous.
Diego Forlan is a class act and so is Uruguay. Good Luck on Saturday, guys!
As for today's game, my favorite part preceded the game. One of the ESPN commentators (and they even had a clip of it) told the story of the German octopus. It seems that there is this huge octopus in some store or restaurant in Germany and they placed two boxes with clams in the cage with it before each match that Germany played.
One box had the German flag while the other had their opponent of the day's flag. Well, each game that octopus picked the winner. And, today, before the game, the octopus chose Spain.
The octopus got it right. If only I had that octopus for my nephew's office pool.
As for soccer, "the beautiful game", every four years it unites the world (except for one nation). Years ago, a British historian wrote that the nations of Europe no longer need to go to war with each other: they have soccer and they can battle it out on the football fields and at the World Cup.
Wouldn't that be great for everyone?
We could set up giant screens in piazzas everywhere and miss work, just like they've been doing all over the world to support our team. Maybe, we could spend billions on our people and not on wars. This is and would be Nationalism at its best.
On the local level, however, we have a journalist who writes for the local paper who was bored by the games and the World Cup. He had lists and lists and lists of what he didn't like. However, he forgot to list the two key elements that make soccer unpalatable for the United States.
It's a World Game. The whole world plays it, number one, and we don't play well with others. We don't know how to play the game and if we can't play the game, then, we can't win. And that's all the U.S. is ever interested in accomplishing, number two, winning, that is.
Now, I believe that each of us has the right to his or her opinion, even this local scribbler. However, to denigrate something because you do not understand it or do not like it is not exactly the highest form of intelligence. As Wiley Miller wrote in "Non Sequitur", "Stupid is a condition. Ignorance is a choice".
With all the horror going on, it's just wonderful to able to forget one's surroundings and problems of the day, even if it's just for 90 minutes.
Now, this brings me back to our American Soccer Team. One iota of advice: the game is played for 90 minutes and consists of two 45 minute sessions. You cannot expect to win if you only play the second half. Next time, try playing the entire game.
On the personal level, I send all my love and good thoughts to my friend, Paul. Last Thursday, his mother died and although she's passed from this world, she will always be a part of him and his life.
Love never dies, after all.
And on that note, I wish everyone a good night.
These past few days have been as hot as the proverbial Hades.
So turn off the corporate news and the lying infotainers who make millions a week by spreading hate and turn on Seinfeld reruns and laugh. If you're a murder mystery fan, that's okay, too.
If you have someone you love near you, cherish them.
If someone is not with you, think of that person and remember the good things.
Have an Italian Ice and fall asleep watching the television reruns.
Tomorrow, we will be just two days away from the big games and the end of the work week.
That thought alone should get us through the night.
And one more thing, Happy Birthday, Ringo Starr!
You were part of my youth and still part of my life. I love you, Ringo.
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