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Monday, June 19, 2006
Of war and footy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Three days away from Judgment at Nuremberg, and there’s still plenty of buzz about the Italy match from Saturday and specifically, the officiating.
This seasoned observer tells Bruce Arena and the Yanks to lay off the refs.
As for the operatic stunts of the Italians, here’s language Off the Ball isn’t permitted to type herself on this blog, but these lyrics are very, very funny. And right on the mark.
Because our country is at war, are we acting out our aggressions while watching World Cup matches? Off the Ball isn’t buying the premise entirely, but she was disturbed to hear from a colleague just now that a popular Atlanta footy oasis had a most unpleasant atmosphere Saturday, filled with USA fans flipping birds at the TV screen, among other obnoxious stunts. Hope those boys can’t get off work Thursday, since your loyal blogtress plans to patronize that establishment for the Ghana match after her World Cup-loving Boss Man gave her the day off. Don’t ruin it, lads.
This has been a fun blog to visit during the World Cup, especially so with lineup changes abounding for England Tuesday against Sweden. Think it’s a good idea to sit Stevie G. and Crouchie with cautions, especially after Zidane’s suspension, with first place in the group on the line?
Germany coach Jürgen Klinsmann says he’s not thinking of England, even though the old war horses of Europe could square off in the second round.
Maybe not, but England is definitely thinking of Germany. You know the boys on Fleet Street are dusting off old WWI- and WWII-era photos of “Jerry” and Klinsi may find a photo of himself under a Pickelhaube spike helmet on the back page of the Daily Mail. You think we have war issues? And the Brits won both of ‘em!
Fun site of the day: Who Ate All the Bratwurst? names its most annoying players of the World Cup. Landon Donovan is in the Starting XI. Again, there are words here that originally got George Carlin into trouble, and will cause enormous problems at Ye Olde Workplace for Off the Ball if she does anything more than link to them.
