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Thursday, June 29, 2006
Forget the New World Order
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Have some Latin American housemates and you’re bound to get the fútbol bug. This is what really turned Off the Ball on to the beautiful game, and it’s been exactly 20 years ago that her formative experience was burnished in the climactic match of the World Cup in 1986.
So OTB is in a mucho sentimental mood as Germany and Argentina are set to kick off quarterfinal play on Friday, a rematch of that final in Mexico City. Given that OTB’s bloodlines run Teutonic, she was the only person in the household pulling for Der Mannschaft, which was a bit barren that year as the brilliant Jürgen Klinsmann was a Cup away from having his impact, much like he is now in directing the side in a rather un-German way.
Those with whom she domiciled during this time were from the decidedly non-footy nations of Venezuela and Guatemala, as well as Chile, which had a pedigree years ago but has been a minor player of late. No matter, as they all shouted “Argentina! Argentina!” while the brilliant Diego Maradona hoisted the Jules Rimet Trophy.
And you think cheating and shabby refereeing are all the rage now in ‘06? Don’t forget, ‘86 was the Cup of Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God” goal against England, as well as a second strike against Old Blighty that ranks among the best in the game’s history. Instead of expressing guilt and remorse for his (mis)deed, Maradona further enraptured his part of the world by triumphantly giving his clearly illegal score an unforgettable moniker.
This was a very instructive lesson to OTB about the bonds of language and culture, and the pride of a region oft-colonialized but with its own distinctive manner of besting the Old World at its own game.
More than anything, however, this matchup is a harbinger of today’s World Cup talking point: The old powers are back!
Yes, the establishment footy media have been yapping for four years that the ‘02 Cup was a fluke, with South Korea and Turkey reaching the semis, and USA! USA! getting to the quarters, good heavens. The Argies and French went home early, and irate Italians protested their premature ouster by naming a row of flush toilets in Sicily after the referee who dared to let somebody else win.
Now in ‘06, the ship has been righted, as only newcomer Ukraine joins the fray with seven of the more venerable sides on the planet, and obviously this is cause for celebration. We are told that 10 of England’s starting XI are healthy, as it was not last time, given an extra week before the start of the Cup. Yes, this is essentially the lineup that was expected. Some say that’s exactly the problem with England.
It also helps to have this in Europe, where most of these players are based, rather than schlep halfway across the world. Last time, there were so many whiny babies complaining about having to travel so far. Let’s see, OTB’s flight to Tokyo was 15 hours, and then another two or so to Seoul, with a few hours of layover time in between. Not exactly like boarding Hooters Air to Myrtle Beach.
Here’s your daily Beckham-coming-to-the-States-someday fix. OTB can just hear his opening statement at the press conference now: ‘I’ve always wanted to a New York Red Bull, and Posh is fine with it too.’ On the other hand, some think The Bend It Boy is all washed up, but they must not be watching the World Cup. He’s the main reason a crap-looking side have gotten this far.
And his nation’s continued existence in the tournament undoubtedly is a boon to Germany, which supposedly is being drunk dry of beer by the Inger-landers.
Germany drunk dry of beer? Italy running out of pasta — and dive-bomber strikers?
Never!
Prosit! And enjoy the quarterfinals!
