By Tim Leberecht - July 11, 2010
Viva la Furia Roja! Viva Espana! Congratulations on a well-deserved win. Your football was a one piece of beautiful design.
But we also feel with our Dutch colleagues and friends. Thank you for a fantastic World Cup, and keep in mind: "It's better to fail with your own vision rather than following another man's vision." Johan Cruyff.
By Tim Leberecht - July 6, 2010
After all the anticipation, controversy, and analysis, it all comes down to a simple formula: Germany versus Spain. Before the mouth-watering semi-final in Durban, the German media is having a blast. I guess it's one of the beauties of the World Cup that it can convert deeply rooted stereotypes into more subtle narratives...well, sort of. :)
By Kajsa Westman - July 6, 2010
Watching the Germany vs. Argentina game this Saturday morning from a sports bar in New York East Village. I have to say the German supporters spirits were through the roof from goal 1-0, as the outlook for the Argentinean team turned muskier and muskier.
By the 4-0 goal some Argentinean supporters simply decided to party rather than sulk, and they pulled off their blue and white shirts and joined the happier mood on the German side of the bar. Just like that.
By Tim Leberecht - July 2, 2010
In the very last minute of extra time, Dominic Adiyiah headed what should have been the winner for Ghana. The ball, without doubt, was going in. But Uruguay striker Luis Suarez got in the way – with both hands: “The best save of the World Cup," he said later, not the hand of God, “the hand of Suarez.”
It was a decision that would keep Uruguay in the World Cup and would change many lives forever. Suarez was sent off and Ghana was given a penalty. The penalty before the penalties, as we know now. When Ghana’s forward Asamoah Gyan was about to take the shot, a whole continent held its breath. Seconds later, the silence in and outside of the stadium was eerie - after he had only hit the crossbar.
By Tim Leberecht - July 2, 2010
After crashing out of the World Cup today, Brazil - as yet another big football nation after Italy, France, and England - will have to reinvent its brand of football and build a new "golden generation" of players.
It might need your help, which is why MinimalsWorld ask: "If you played for Brazil, what would your name be?"
By Tim Leberecht - July 1, 2010
Interesting piece on "Soccer and Snobbery" by Theodore Dalrymple in the New English Review (hat tip to @axelletess), examing the ramifications of the French World Cup fiasco on French society and civilization at large...
My favorite paragraph:
"The decerebrating effect of football (and no doubt other sports as well) is illustrated by a story that my French brother-in-law told me recently. A couple of months after France won the World Cup in 1998, he went to Tibet. He went to a Buddhist monastery that was two days hard trek from the nearest road. There he met young novices, some of whom spoke a few words of English. They asked him where he was from and he told them.
‘France,’ they said. ‘World Cup. Zidane.’"
Read the full article here.
By Kajsa Westman - June 30, 2010
Sweden is not in the World Cup this time around. While walking the streets of Stockholm, I can tell the excitement for the event is somewhat toned down compared to normal.
If it wasn't for the occasional Vuvuzela buzz from the pizzeria around the corner, I have not found much trace of the Cup in Stockholm, at Arlanda, on SAS, or at Newark Airport. However my New York based Brazilian hairdresser sent me an email offering free Caphirinas with treatments for the rest of the Cup. Afterwork hair cut anyone?
By Jordan Burt - June 30, 2010
Does the power of companies such as Nike, Adidas, and Puma extend beyond the consumer? Is there an influence on FIFA and the 2010 World Cup? Such a highly regarded international tournament would never rig its matches for the sake of promoting sponsors, would it? You be the judge:
Uruguay (Puma) vs. South Korea (Nike) = Uruguay (Puma)
Ghana (Puma) vs. USA (Nike) = Ghana (Puma)
Quarter Final: Uruguay vs. Ghana = Puma
By Tim Leberecht - June 27, 2010
After today's dramatic 1-4 defeat against Germany, English fans will complain about their disallowed goal, while German fans will argue that it was the long overdue compensation for the controversial English "Wembley Goal" in the World Cup 1966 (see video below). As you can see below, at least for today, there is clear evidence that it was not a goal.
By Carlo Zapponi - June 25, 2010
Italy in the World Cup in two pictures. Bye bye South Africa.
