Football quickly became my favorite activity from watching the different international professional leagues in between World Cup to buying a new FIFA or Pro Evolution Soccer game every year to playing the sport at every chance I got. I loved the game and every aspect of it. Even now I sit here on a dual-monitor typing this post up on one screen and watching the USA v. Germany match on the other one. I say all this because the love that I have for football isn't limited to me but spreads worldwide. Even in the USA where tradition has held fast to baseball, basketball and "that game where the least popular player on the team is the only person allowed to touch the oval object with his foot"; the fever is finally spreading and infecting everyone. I watched my American friends, a few of which never watch sports, support the USMNT, cheering for every goal their boys scored and curse every decision that went against them. It's a great time for the sport. This is what it's about. Whole nations coming together to watch their country's best XI compete on the big stage for bragging rights and the World Cup trophy.
And here we are again... Four years removed from South Africa. The first round of the world's greatest sporting event is almost over and what a first round it's been. With the exception of one or two matches (looking at you Nigeria and Iran), this has turned out to be the best World Cup I've had the pleasure of watching. 136 goals and counting in 2 weeks of total football. Amazing. And we're only halfway through. Coming into every international tournament, we always have our favorites to win. Germany, Uruguay, Netherlands, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, England (LOL), Italy, France and the legendary Brazil. Nineteen WC trophies between them and any one of these teams could have easily carried the trophy this year. Alas, we were deceived by the Spanish, Italian and Portugese sides, who were not as good as we thought they would be this year. England only deceived themselves. 3 wins and 7 losses between these giants of football and they'll all be watching the rest of the tournament from their couches. Pity. Not really.They sucked. Especially England, who couldn't win a single game. I'm only grateful that the football gods lifted their curse on Wayne Rooney as he scored his first World Cup goal. Nobody wanted to see him turn out like this.
Netherlands and Germany are my teams to watch from here on out. I've always liked the Dutch style of play in international competitions. As a Manchester United supporter, I'm hoping that Robin van Persie and Louis van Gaal can take them far. They're tied for highest goal difference (Goals Against minus Goals For) with Colombia (7) and have scored the most goals so far (10) and are one of four teams to win all their matches. Very impressive performance from The Orange. Especially when you have a lad that scores goals like this.
The Germans, on the other hand, are my favorites to win it all. They're called The German Machine and they're running smoothly and on all cylinders right now. They emerged as the winners of the so-called "Group of Death" (which, in my humble opinion, was the weakest Group of Death I've seen in years) with 7 points. They demolished Portugal 4-1 in their opening match after Pepe got an early red card. But from the latter performances I saw from both teams, I don't think it would have mattered if all the Portugal fans came out on the pitch, put on a team jersey and played in the game. It wouldn't have made a difference against this German side. They're strong, composed and can turn up the pace when they want. They also have young Thomas MΓΌller, a 24-year old forward who already has 9 goals in 9 World Cup appearances. Ridiculous. That kid is damn good. Sorry USA fans.
Speaking of the USA. I'm impressed. Y'all deserve a round of applause. I wasn't expecting it. In a group with Germany, Ghana and Portugal I expected them to finish right at the bottom. They're a competitive team filled with heart and have fully embraced the underdog role, ready to stand against the football giants in their group. While typing this, I'm reminded of the great scene in Watchers of The Wall episode of Game of Thrones where the giant charged at the men of the Night Watch as they tried to hold the gate.
But that was my point. I don't think anyone who watches football really expected anything from the USMNT. Albeit, they escaped against Ghana (I'll be talking about the African teams later), but they should have beaten Portugal. They really should have. A moment of brilliance from Cristiano Ronaldo took that win away but whatever. The USA moved on to the knockout stages and they truly deserved it. Kudos.
Moving on to the African teams of the tournament... Where do I even begin? Oh I know. NIGERIA MADE IT TO THE SECOND ROUND FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1998!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAS! Congratulations to my boys on finally showing up to the tournament against Bosnia. Yes it a controversial match cause Edin Dzeko's goal was disallowed. We don't care! We beat Bosnia! And played a hell of a match against Argentina. Easily their best World Cup appearance since 98. Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Ghana thought they were better than us. Ha! Fly high Super Eagles.
This is what the World Cup is about. Emotions. Especially in a world that has been made even smaller with the use of social media. Millions of fans coming together on Twitter and Facebook to watch these matches together and support their nations. Some of the most fun I've had in the past two weeks was had watching each Nigerian match and conversing with friends and strangers on the Internet. The contagious levels of emotion that spreads and grows with each passing minute of a World Cup fixture. The unexpected excitement when you're team scores a goal and the elation that flows through the body is unlike anything else. At the same time, the utter, heart-breaking disappointment that is felt when someone scores against your team hurts so much as well. It's a tournament unlike any other. It comes once every four years. Enjoy it while it's here.
I'll touch on the little bit of controversy that everyone's surely heard about by now here for a bit. Luis Suarez and his toothy antics. Great, talented player who enjoys taking bites out of opposing teams defenders. He's been banned for four months and nine matches, which means he's missing the rest of the World Cup, even though one could make the argument for him being the 3rd best player on the planet. It's ridiculous. I've made the joke that he might have rabies but this is getting out of hand. He deserved a longer ban than that, especially since this the third time his choppers have made an appearance on the field. And he honestly had the nerve to say "these are things that happen out on the pitch. It was just the two of us inside the area and he bumped into me with his shoulder and that's how my eye got like this as well. There are things that happen on the pitch and you should not make such a big deal out of them". I'm sorry but... wait what? Yeah he actually said that in his post-game interview. I'm as confused as you are.
On a lighter note though, I'm ready for the next four rounds of the World Cup. It's all knockouts from here, so yes. Expect some March Madness-style craziness from here on out. Expect a few penalty shoot-outs. Heartbreak. Controversy. And no more Suarez. They all come with the package. One thing's for sure though, is that you won't be watching alone. I'll leave you with this great commercial from the 2010 World Cup, which puts into perspective just how massive the World Cup is. Enjoy the rest of the tournament.
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