The long awaited return of the blog and what better topic to cover than the World Cup! It’s only the quarter final stage so England are obviously still in it. Ahah, if only. Yes once again after months of hype and expectation, English football fans are left angry and disappointed at an extremely under par and almost pathetic display in South Africa. Dismal performances in the group stage were followed up by an even worse showing against the old enemy, I needn’t mention the score. After the game, South African Police released a missing persons’ inquiry. They, like 6 million other people wanted to know if anyone had seen a Mr. J Terry and a Mr. M Upson who went missing between 1500hrs and 1700hrs GMT on the day of the game. Incidentally, two of the 3 German goal scorers were born in Poland, which leaves me wondering if England would consider an invasion of Brazil or maybe Spain, is that how it works?
One thing we have learnt from this competition is that sport can be oh so unpredictable. France and Italy both out in groups and King of the Underdogs, Ghana battling their way to the quarter finals only to lose on penalties. Their defeat came in sickening circumstances as Gyan snatched defeat from the jaws of victory with his late penalty miss; Uruguay then ran out 4-2 winners in the shoot out leaving football fans worldwide feeling as disappointed as the moment you pulled out Honduras in the work sweep stake, as your smug boss sits in the corner with Spain, next to his secretary , who has just pulled out Argentina, what a fix! Just for the record that is a completely fictional situation and is not one I have been involved in.
A big talking point of the tournament has been the rise to fame of the infamous Vuvuzella. These ear droning horns that produce a noise similar to that of a swarm of bees have received huge criticism from travelling fans. I can’t say I’ve ever had to sit next to someone transferring the contents of their lungs into one of these Vuvu-somethings and if I had my opinion would most certainly differ. But I see them as a footballing tradition in South African stadiums; much like the Mexican wave in Mexico, Samba Drums in Brazil and racist monkey noises in Spain.
As an England fan, my interest in who wins the 2010 World Cup is pretty much over. But if we’re being honest, anyone but Germany or Argentina. In fact, I’d love to see Argentina in the final. Who they play I really don’t care as long as they lose and as long as the winning goal is a volley-ball like finish past a helpless keeper. What a great representation of Karma that would be. Ok, so I’m dreaming now, but seriously, anyone but Germany or Argentina.
Having sat through every torturous minute of every England game in this competition, I have noticed the way in which every single supporter is transformed into the beholder of all footballing knowledge from the minute the first whistle is blown. From formations to substitutions, Joe Bloggs turns into Fabio Capello in the space of a few beers. How fickle we are.
But, we always have Andy Murray to pin our sporting hopes to this summer. Of course we don’t! His performance was significantly better than the England football teams’, but once again we have to wait another year for a British champion at Wimbledon. I love the way in which Murrays’ nationality depends on his success. When he wins, he is that great British tennis player; when he loses he becomes that useless Scottish T**t who can’t win Wimbledon either.
Anyway, rant over...we still believe! (Sort of).
