Spain — 2010 World Cup champions
*Most photos from SI.com
The 2010 World Cup is long over. It ended July 11. I’m still going through World Cup withdrawal. In case you don’t know, Spain was the winner. Can you tell that everyone was happy?
I miss the drama and suspense of the largest sporting event in the world. I miss watching all the different teams; I miss listening to the T.V. announcers discuss the beautiful game; I miss watching the footballers play with passion, struggling to make a goal for their team (and blocking other potential goals); I miss watching the goalies in action; I miss watching the players march into the stadium with the little kids; I miss watching each team sing their national anthem at the beginning of the game, looking a little nervous but ready to play; I miss watching the team coaches stand on the sidelines; I miss watching the dedicated fans; I miss the sounds of the vuvuzelas (plastic noisemakers that became controversial because of their sound); I miss everything about the World Cup.
I love that the World Cup was held in Africa for the first time in its history. I love that the continent came into the spotlight in a positive way.
I love that none of the games went as expected. I suppose that’s the beauty and cruelty of soccer — That the most favored teams and divas of soccer like Cristiano Ronaldo, Leo Messi, Wayne Rooney, etc… went home empty-handed; I like that underdog teams moved up in rank; that other good soccer players received some glory.
The next World Cup will take place in 2014 in Brazil. Brazil is supposed to be one of, if not the greatest soccer country. Its team has won the World Cup several times (five times, I believe). I’m sure it will be really fun to watch the games in Brazil.
So now that the games are over, I will be returning to your regularly-scheduled program — erotic romance. Stay tuned.
Paz Edwards
Andres Iniesta holds up the World Cup trophy for Spain.
The day after the World Cup win, a parade was held for the soccer team in Madrid, Spain. (Photo image: REUTERS/Sergio Perez)
Spain’s Carlos Puyol scoring a goal. Wow!
Referee Howard Webb
Hand-painted plastic hardhats, featuring designs of the team that the fan supports. They’re called makarapa. Above is a
South African makarapa.
Makaraps designed for different teams – Italy, Greece, USA, etc…
Uruguay fan
U.S.A fans
Switzerland fan
Algeria fan
Brazil fans
Fans playing the vuvuzela horn.
See you in Brazil 2014.
