The Victory of Success; the Agony of Defeat

In the World Cup (and of course, other games), unless a tie occurs, there’s a winner and loser. When a team wins, the players are ecstatic. After the game they run around the field, hug and kiss each other, and wave to their overjoyed fans. If they’re good sportsmen, they’ll shake the hands of their opponents and sometimes even exchange shirts (sweat-drenched and all).

On the other hand, the losing team is devastated. Some players are so sad they stay in the same spot for a while. Dejected, other players hang their head down with disappointment. Others cry and they comfort each other, while their fans look on in disbelief and disappointment. If the players are good sports, they’ll shake the hands of their rivals, too.

This week, during the semi finals Italy beat Germany (2-0) by scoring two rigorous goals in the last three minutes of the overtime game. The Italy team and their fans were extremely happy. The German team and their fans looked inconsolable. During the France vs. Portugal game, France won by making a upsetting goal (1-0). The Portugal team and their fans were sad.

Watching the games, it’s dawned on me that the feelings an author experiences are similar to the ones team players go through after playing the Beautiful Game. When an author completes a manuscript (or even a page or a chapter), meets a deadline – when a publisher offers a contract, or readers like the story, the author feels victorious. It’s like kicking that ball past the goalie and landing it into the net. GOAL!!! GOAL!!! GOAL!!! Very exciting!

THE VICTORY OF SUCCESS:

THE AGONY OF DEFEAT:

Germany’s soccer players stretching during practice
All photos from fifa.com

A few things I like about the Beautiful Game during the World Cup:

• I like to see everyone — men, women, children — get together and cheer for their favorite team.

• I like to see the fans’ enthusiasm.

• I like that there’s always the opportunity for something unexpected and fantastic to happen — like the team from Ghana making and unpredictable and upsetting win over a favored and more experienced team.

• I like to watch before the start of the game, when the children lead the players out to the field. They come out hand-in-hand. The players are nervous and it’s interesting to see how they react with the children. Some pay attention to the kids, while others ignore them till it’s time to grab their hands and march out into the stadium.

Children and German team

• I like to see some of the traditions the players perform on the field. For example, some kiss the ground when they step on the field for the first time. Others kiss the ground after their team has scored a goal…

• I like to see how excited both players become after they score a goal. All these men hugging and kissing on each other.

• I love to watch how hard each team plays to win.

• I love to watch the opposing teams show good sportmanship when they hug, congratulate each other, and trade team shirts after a game.

Legends Zidane (France team) and Figo (Portugal team)
show mutual respect at the end of game, in which France won

What I hate about the Beautiful Game:

• I hate to see the players spit. Do they have to spit? It’s so disgusting and unsightly! And I don’t know why the cameraman feels the necessity to focus on this gross behavior. Uggh!

• Agressive fans who fight and do and say horrid things. Not cool at all. Very sad!

Paz

Ukraine’s goalkeeper makes a save

Italy fans

French team mate Patrick Viera happy after scoring goal

France vs. Spain fans playing table football

I guess they really are serious about access to the soccer area. Even a dog needs a pass with I.D. LOL!

Look at those muscled thighs in the second photo. Wow!

Yes, I’m a little… Okay, ‘a lot’ caught up in the World Cup, but I have been writing. So, Shebab, you can put away Mr. Whipey.

Paz

UOL Esporte - Copa do Mundo 2006

UOL Esporte - Copa do Mundo206

About to kick the ball. David Beckham’s feet. Very interesting soccer shoes — almost remind me of ballet slippers, ballet dancer’s feet.

Paz

Fifa.com

According to a Yahoo! report, during the World Cup 2002, the most popular soccer player was England’s David Beckham.

This World Cup 2006, it’s Brazil’s Ronaldinho. He is placed as the top three internet search.

Here are the top 10 footballer searches on Yahoo! I googled them, too — all interesting backgrounds!

1- Ronaldinho

2- David Beckham

3- Kaka

4- Cristiano Ronaldo

5-Thierry Henry

6- Roberto Carlos

7- Adriano

8- Michael Owen

9- Wayne Rooney

10- Michael Ballack

As I’m typing, this Saturday afternoon, I’m watcing the game between Ghana and the Czech Republic. It was exciting to see Ghana score its very first World Cup goal ever in the beginning of the game. The Ghanaian team is one of the youngest participating in the even. The Czech team is a older and more experienced but they haven’t scored yet. So far, Ghana:1 Czech: 0. I like thatboth teams are playing in a very sportsmanship manner with each other. Good for them!

Later in the day, I’ll be watching U.S.A. vs. Italy. Should be another interesting game.

Paz