We Are The World Cup Appreciation Society!

I’ve tried to ignore it. I’ve gone with a lifetime habit and just said I’m not into it. It’s not my thing. Though not my choice, most of the time I welcomed the sound of a match as a nice change of pace from the usual bands or films we put on in the background, but that was the limit of my involvement, the peak of my interest. Just something different to listen to while at work.

But recently I’ve begun to see a change. The sound of expectation from 30,000 people all at once making my head snap back to watch the imminent goal, my stomach exploding with butterflies. The sea of green now a backdrop for pleasure and entertainment, rather than eliciting a groan. I feel the excitement of the game: the disappointment of the miss, the tension of the post hit, and the satisfaction of the back of the net. When it’s good, I can see what all the fuss is about, and more often than not, it’s been very good.

So I have to face the facts. I’ve become interested in the World Cup.

I’ve watched countries go to war and I’ve had a good time rooting for one side over the other, championing the underdog.  When it looks like David is sweeping away Goliath, I begin to root for the other side, themselves now becoming the underdogs. I’ve begun looking for the last chance, the last grasp, looking for the miracle, which this World Cup has served in spades.

I’ve watched the giants of the world fall, brought to their knees by their own failures, struggling against the minors who’ve come armed with a passion for their country, a spirit for their team, and a belief that it’s special to be in the World Cup- that they should play to make their country and countrymen proud.

The World Cup is living up to it’s name: it’s now a global tournament, not just in terms of the audience or the players, but more importantly, the stakes and the potential winners, and what they could walk away with.

Despite myself I now look forward to each match, the beautiful game now looking good to me, the attraction clear. It seems more fun to be a football nomad, taking each match on it’s own terms, rather than letting old bigotries get in the way and blinding you from the oppositions’ skill and talent. May the best team win.

Spain’s gonna take it though.