As we near the end of this World Cup, I just wanted to reflect on some of the things I’ve been thankful for (or annoyed by) this summer. First, a brief nod to Zidane and France for dismissing the dreaded Portugese…
Is it too late to jump on the bandwagon?
As for what’s annoying, you really have to read some of the obnoxious, pitiful whining from this man
One (German) word for you: schadenfreude
in the aftermath of an admittedly less-than-stirring French win yesterday. To me, it’s poetic justice that France won a PK against Portugal, the diving-est, dirtiest team in the tournament, and that the ref (apparently the same one who butchered U.S.-Italy?) was having none of their antics on the other side. In the end, Portugal was undone by their inability to leave off the flopping and just play soccer, as Italy had done so beautifully the day before. They still had numerous chances to tie it, as the French went into a defensive shell that marks them as clear underdogs in the final on Sunday.
But the fact that they’re there at all is one thing I’m thankful for.
I’m also thankful for Univision, which provided a much-needed alternative to the droll commentary on ESPN etc. Gooooooooool!
I’m annoyed by this (you can read more about it here)
Get up! Get up!
I’m thankful for an exciting German side and Jürgen Klinsmann, even though they went down to a superior Italian team. In that same vein, gracious thanks to Ghana, Mexico, Ecuador, and yes, even the U.S., for providing moments of high excitement and promise for the future.
Needless to say I’m annoyed with FIFA and the plethora of red and yellow cards, dubiously culminating in their shameful decision to suspend Torsten Frings for a love-swipe after the Argentina quarterfinal. Overall, the reffing has been — I was going to type “fair” — let’s just say it hasn’t changed the outcome of any of the games from the quarterfinals on (with the possible exception of the above-mentioned, but that was FIFA, not an individual ref). Prior to that I can think of no less than three matches that I saw that were hugely altered by outright gaffes or over-reactions: Italy-U.S. (no need to say more); Italy-Australia (total dive for the PK); and of course the Dutch-Portugal bloodbath. Then there was the Rooney incident and of course, the double-yellow/no red in Croatia-Australia, which I didn’t see. (All of which led one blogger to ask, “which was the worst refereed game you saw?” Frankly, I can’t decide.) I’m not even counting U.S-Ghana here, which feels like small potatoes compared to some of these.
Bottom line: I’m all for cracking down, but FIFA needs to get its shit together sooner and give the refs (and players) time to adjust. Let’s face it: The officiating was a fiasco. The refs were calling every little nudge and touch early on, which led to dives, which led to chaos (see Dutch-Portugal, above). A side-effect was great players like Zidane and Deco having to sit out important games from accumulation of yellows. Finally the worst of the refs seem to have been weeded out, and the teams are playing soccer, but it took till the semis to figure this shit out? Please.
But I’d like to end this penultimate World Cup Rant with a few really great things I’m thankful for: the life and nature here at Cat Claw Cove
Right outside the kitchen window
Playing with Q down by the river
He’s the one in the water
and last but certainly not least, a great girlfriend to watch and enjoy and rant about the games with
Big smile on Cat Claw Road
Tags: World Cup 2006 by dhadbawnik
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