twodoebs
Random Thoughts From Our Random MindsSunday, June 18, 2006
Why the World Cup is SO awesome!
By: Doebette
Yes, I have World Cup fever. And as I sneak around my office to watch games during the day I realize there's only a very small number of people at the office who even really know it's happening. So let me share with you some reasons why I love the World Cup so much and perhaps entice you to watch...
1- It's a fast exciting game. Unlike lots of American sporting events, they don't stop for commercials except at half time, or take time outs. The clock never stops running and neither do the players. Games can turn on a dime at any moment. For example during a match between Japan and Australia where Australia was losing almost the whole game-- they scored 3 TIMES in the last 5 minutes of the game to win the match.
2- There's a really fun sense of 'national pride' similar to the Olympics. There are rivalries, powerhouses, long shots, new comers and Cinderella Stories. There is even a sense of international politics at play.
3- They play a LOT of games. So even if you don't follow soccer at all, you can still get to know the players and teams since they all play 3 matches before they start getting eliminated. Unlike some Olympic sports where you see an athlete perhaps one time you can actually "get to know" these players.
4- Well- ok, I'll say it. The BOYS! Soccer players are amazing athletes who pretty much just RUN for 90 minutes a match. They are in GREAT shape and not obscured by lots of padding or helmets. And let me just say there was good reason that Access Hollywood did a piece on the "Hotties of the World Cup"!
5-Every game in HD. Yep...for a month of play and 64 total matches you can see each one in glorious HD. Too bad the NFL can't figure out how to work that out because sports look BEST in HD! And I have to say the World Cup themed commercials have been really good!
I hope you give it a shot if you haven't watched much already...games are on either ABC or ESPN2. And in case you hear people complaining about team USA- just remember they were ranked 5th in the World before this tournament! They need a win against Ghana Thrusday at 9.55AM on ESPN2 and for Italy to beat the Czech Republic in order to move on. GO TEAM USA!!!
All that is now behind, but there is still a very electrifying feeling of support for England's national team. The flag you see the English waving is the Cross of St. George, which is now one part of the stripes you see on the British Union Jack. The other two parts are the Cross of St. Andrew - white diagonal cross on a field of blue, and the Cross of St. Patrick - red diagonal cross on a field of white.
So now that Team USA is out of the Cup competition, you can all root for England with us.
By the way, did you know that when Prince Charles ascends to the throne he will probably become King George VII? We learned that at church today - we attend the Chapel at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, which is a government sponsored home for Pensioners - most of whom are in their 80s and served during WW II. They still wear dress uniforms on Sundays and have an inspection at an outdoor parade every Sunday morning. Quite an interesting place, and there is a regular congregation. The Chapel is part of the Hospital, which was designed and built by Christopher Wren in 1681-1685. The Chapel is beautiful - obviously has had some good maintenance, and undoubtedly effective modernizations along the way also. Charles I was beheaded during Oliver Cromwell's days, and Charles II did not cover himself with glory, so Prince Charles will apparently choose to become King George VII.
: 2:05 PM**********
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