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. :)
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.
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.
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.
I've waited 23 years to go to a World Cup and let me tell you it was not worth the wait! If watching a football game on T.V. makes my emotions go all over the place, then try to imagine what it is like to be part of this world-stage spectacle. It is better than falling in love.
If you examine the history of football for groundbreaking, "game-changing" innovations, you realize they have been scarce; by and large the game hasn't changed much. Some innovations resulted from a changing of the rules (on the macro-innovation level, if you will). Most of them, however, were truly driven by either organizational or individual excellence: for example, the position of the "Libero," the "sweeper" before the goal-keeper, who, freed from marking a direct opponent, was mandated with opening a team's game from deep in its own territory (German legend Franz Beckenbauer perfected this role in the '70s); the allure of the "playmaker" (personified by the French Michel Platini in the '80s); the introduction of a three-man defense row in the '90s; the "Sweeper-Keeper" performing the defensive actions of a libero; the increased importance of the "6," the defensive holding midfielder; and the Dutch "Total Football" concept with its fluid, attacking 4-5-1 and 3-2-5 formations.
The New York Times calls the relationship between Argentina’s national coach and legendary player Diego Maradona and his star player Lionel Messi a “complicated tango,” but, hey, a tango it is! Just take a look at the breathtaking resemblance of these two famous goals and the synchronicity of the players’ movements (Maradona’s goal against England at the World Cup 1986 – still considered the best goal of all times – and Messi’s goal in a Primera Division game against Getafe in 2007).
Welcome to the kick-off of Total Football, our special World Cup blog!
With the FIFA World Cup in South Africa starting on June 11, we’re launching a group blog devoted to covering the world’s largest sport event through a unique design and innovation lens. Up to the the final on July 11 in Soccer City in Johannesburg (game 64, as the true fans call it – by the way, you can still purchase tickets here), we will leverage our global network for this effort (thus sticking with the global “football” vs. the American “soccer”) and feature perspectives from Asia, Europe, and the US. At least three of our studios are located in countries that can be considered serious contenders for the trophy (Netherlands, Italy, and Germany – no, not the USA! :)).
