"football reflections"
I have always thought that one (of the many) reasons that I did not become a footballer was because
I am too intelligent. In fact, as has often been the case, with some notable exceptions (Jorge
Valdano, Socrates, Ruud Gullit....), intelligent footballers seems to be more the exception that
the rule, and at a time when the media scrutiny is so intense, the demand on a bit of brains in
footballers
Tonight is the Spanish Copa de Rey semifinal between Valencia and FC Barcelona. FC Barcelona
defeated Real Madrid in the semifinal, after which it has been widely proclaimed that FC Barcelona
will now win the tournament. Only the most die-hard Valencia fans believe otherwise. I don´t
believe otherwise.
Mexico lost its third consecutive match of the Copa América today, and was for the first time ever
eliminated in the first round of this tournament. However, there is much reason to be optimistic
about the future if you are a fan of the North American nation. Just before the Copa América
Mexico was awesome in winning the North American Gold Cup, with an excellent side with great
attacking power.
The 2010 World Cup is over. I feel it was a wonderful World Cup; much better than the
disappointments of 2002 and 2006! The following is a top ten of the best and the worst
respectively, starting with the bad things:10) Petty nationalism: Many people only interest
themselves in football every four years for the World Cup, as the nationalism and stereotypes
appeals to them.
One of the best but also frustrating things about football is that it is just like life: it is fun,
but can be sad, happy, unfair, annoying; sometimes the ones that play most beautiful win, but other
times, cynicism, cunningness, intelligence or mere spirit win a match.FC Barcelona have been an
example of beauty and skill over the past seasons, but tonight they got eliminated by a better
Inter
One of the most recurrent things in football is that everybody always seem to underestimate the
United States side, leading to way too many surprises. The first such surprise was the legendary
victory of the USA in the 1950 World Cup over England, but it has happened in later times as well,
such as Colombia-USA in 1994, Argentina-USA in 1995, and Portugal-USA in 2002.
In life there are many things you cannot choose: you cannot choose your parents, where you are
born, even whom you love is a difficult one: against all logic, a man may fall madly in love with
some third-rate, cranky, controlling, selfish, unfaithful and evil bitch with a minority complex.
Football is most often a mere reflection of life itself, where a man walks from happiness to
sadness, from
In life there are many things you cannot choose: you cannot choose your parents, where you are
born, even whom you love is a difficult one: against all logic, a man may fall madly in love with
some third-rate, cranky, controlling, selfish, unfaithful and evil bitch with a minority complex.
Football is most often a mere reflection of life itself, where a man walks from happiness to
sadness, from
I was recently in the most wonderful country in the world, Colombia, where the U-20 World Cup is
currently taking place. The atmosphere is great as Colombians greet the world with their usual
smiles, hospitality and friendliness.Except if you are Argentine... I had made nothing of an
incident between the Argentinean team during a match against Egypt and the fans in Medellín until,
last Saturday,
I have in general been happy about Venezuela´s performance in the Copa América, mostly because it
is nice to see people here so happy for their side. However, I have before said that Venezuela is a
footballing ignorant country, and I think that the TV broadcasting today showed it all: while the
final between Uruguay and Paraguay was taking place, the TV channel that has shown much of the
I am a MAN, and men don't cry.Unless it is football of course.As the last times disappointments
pass, although leaving a scar, it leads me to reflect about times when football has, if not made me
cry, at least made me so fucking depressed that I swore never to watch football again.Mostly until
the following match.
I love football. Wherever I go it has
brought me friends and a life. Except here in Venezuela. At first I was happy that apparently with
my usual karma for this (everywhere I visit, the country starts doing well football-wise; I must be
a fucking lucky charm, at least in something!
And this is my last post. It is simply too fucking depressing. All teams I ever support always lose
and play like shit.I don´t even have anyone to watch football with in this football-ignorant
country, but it is not worth watching football when it just makes one´s life worse than it already
is.I am going to find another hobby.
It is time for a review of football-year 2010, and I will start by my personal top-10 of best and
worst football things this years.Saving the good for last, here comes the worst (a list that has,
fortunately, been a bit difficult to make!):10. Paraguay not becoming World Champions, to be
summarized in one name: Larissa Riquelme.
Time difference between Venezuela and Europe does that I am only at times able to watch European
matches. Add to this that I have been unable to find any footballing bar in town where some of the
more random matches are shown, and the result is that I am watching less and less football. I don't
do much outside work, so not having the possibility to watch football is becoming more and more
Can people's life really be measured by the football team they support...?Indeed, I support
Brøndby, who today pathetically lost 3-0 at home to Sporting Lisbon and was eliminated by the
Europa League.Brøndby is team that is full of hope every season that they will do well. And when
things start going well and it looks that this might be the season, their moment, they completely
mess it up at the
I was listening to a BBC World Have Your Say Podcast where they asked whether the World Cup was as
important as Mandela's release.Oh my God! Compare a football tournament with an event that changed
not only a country but the entire world...!?!?Don't get me wrong: I love and live football!I have a
dead-boring job but make good money, few friends, no girlfriend for many years, no particular
talents
As the World Cup is less than two weeks away, it is time for a personal review of the state of "my"
countries participating in the World Cup:Argentina: I lived in Argentina as a child, and my
football heart is unapologetically Argentinean, no matter who they play against. With their
extraordinary players, first and foremost Messi, I have huge hopes, but at the same time, I share
the nagging doubt
The search for extraterrestial life has stoppped: it has been confirmed that Lionel Messi is from
another planet.
I have been hoping to find some football in Venezuela. Notwithstanding that I am not normally able
to watch Champions League, since it is in working hours, for instance I was able to watch second
half of Inter's splendid victory against Chelsea. It is not often that I support the Italian teams,
but this time it was awesome to see them outplay a Chelsea side that with the years has lost its
I am having football blues. I guess I have moved to a non-footballing country, and I actually miss
to go to a good pub and watch some football over a large pint of beer. But also, I am wondering
whether this will be a football year that will bring some of the great moments; will my teams win
anything?
Not counting the Guyanas and Surinam, there is only one country in South America that has never
been to a World Cup: Venezuela. Considering that I love football so much, and that South America
indeed is the powerhouse of football passion, it may seem ironic that I have recently moved to
Venezuela.Its special history and closer links to the Caribbean and the US, made that the main
sport in
Last week Rio de Janeiro was awarded the hosting of the 2016 Olympic Games in a close contest with
Madrid, Tokyo and Chicago. All countries had brought leaders and celebrities to Copenhagen to
promote their bids. The US President Barack Obama even came to promote Chicago, that nevertheless,
to many people's surprise, were the first to be eliminated.
Beer and football go hand in hand - don't believe otherwise! And I love drinking beers while
wathing a football match! This is my personal list of the best beers to drink during football. It
must be underlined that the list builds on my experience while watching footbal, and that they do
not necessarily constitute what I consider the best beer!
This is my very personal list of 99 matches I can come up with, which I remember I have watched,
remember the results, and the circumstances that I have watched it in. It is not necessarily in
prioritised order; I have just listed them as I come up with them!1) Denmark-Germany, 1992: I think
every Dane remembers this match, the 1992 Euro final, where Denmark sensationally defeated the
German
On BBC World Football phone this weekend they talked about their favourite world cup memories,
which led myself to reflect on my favourite world cup memories.I started watching the world cup in
1982 when I was 7 years old, but 1986 was the first world cup that I watched passionately as a fan.
In spite of this limited timeframe, I still have difficulties in defining my one moment, so I have
made a
I am not a fan of the team, but know about football, so: How in the world can it be that River
Plate, RIVER PLATE, has been relegated!?!?!!? After some meager years, this last tie 1-1 against
Belgrano sealed the Argentinean giants' darkest chapter.River Plate is one of the most legendary
clubs in the world.
Today Barcelona defeated Zaragoza 4-2 in the Spanish League, and the small Argentinean super-star,
Lionel Messi, scored three goals and got himself a penalty that he humbly let Ibrahimovic take and
score. With these three goals Messi has scored eight goals in a week, and is far ahead in the top
scoring list of the Spanish League.
The Rest
I just want to say that all my thoughts and prayers go to Paraguay's outstanding striker who was
cowardly shot in the head in Mexico. A great player whom everyone was looking forward to seeing in
the World Cup.I hope he recovers soon.
