Paz Edwards » Soccer

The Beautiful Game #9

Paz Edwards — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 01:00:00 +0000

2006 World Cup Winners – Italy Team

The 2006 World Cup is over. Sniff. The last game garnered eight billion viewers. Yes eight billion and occurred yesterday, Sunday (June 9) between Italy and France. I almost missed the game because I was supposed to get my hair done. Guess what? I didn’t get my hair done. Italy won in a penalty kick shootout (5-3). It’d been a Beautiful Game until Sunday’s game. Then it turned out to be not so beautiful. Not for me, anyway. During the game, each team played well and hard. The score was tied 1-1. So the game went into overtime. Still no break in the tie. Sometime during the overtime game, French team captain Zidane rammed his big bald head into the chest of Italian player, Marco Materazzi after they exchanged words. No one knew what was said. Now, it’s rumored that Materazzi said something racist but Materazzi has denied it. True or not, I won’t repeat the report. After the head butting incident, the referee gave Zidane a red card (the most serious penalty) and sent him off the field. After that ugly incident, things went downhill fast for the French team and they lost. I was horrified, disheartened and disappointed to see such a turn of events. I think that Zidane is a good person and very talented footballer. He’s retiring after the World Cup games and it’s such a shame to end his career and the World Cup on that fury-driven, ugly note. Oh well, C’est la vie. N’est pas? That’s life. Isn’t it? Life will continue. I’m moving on, too. Actually, I’m giving myself a week to get over the World Cup high and my disappointment in the ending. For the most part, the games were fun. I enjoyed watching all the different teams and the effort and heart they put into playing. I also enjoyed watching the spectators’ enthusiasm and love for the Beautiful Game. Until the next World Cup, which will take place in four years in South Africa; Adieu. Or since the Italians won, I guess I should say,

Ciao.

Paz Edwards

Zidane get red card from referee

U.S.A. President Clinton and daughter Chelsea

were among the many dignitaries at the final game

The Beautiful Game #8

Paz Edwards — Sat, 08 Jul 2006 04:08:00 +0000

Italy’s Andrea Pirlo, ecstatic after team scores a goal

All photos from fifa.com

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 â€“ 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!

When an author is stuck on a plot or can’t get started on a story, or if a story is rejected, or a bad review comes in, whatever causes anguish the feelings experienced are very much similar to the ones a losing team goes through. Just as the players console each other, fellow authors give support when needed. Yes, playing on the writing field results the same emotions as that of playing on the field of the Beautiful Game.

Paz Edwards

THE VICTORY OF SUCCESS:

Henry and Zidane of France team

France team

Zidane, France team captain (wining team) applauds fans,

while Brazil player (from losing team) lays on ground in defeat

After game, opposing team captains Figo (Portugal) and Zidane (France) congratulate each other

THE AGONY OF DEFEAT:

Ronaldo of Brazil team reacts after his team’s loss

Fans of German team shocked at team loss

German team

Portugal team

The Beautiful Game #7

Paz Edwards — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 18:30:00 +0000

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 Edwards

Ukraine’s goalkeeper makes a save

Italy fans

French team mate Patrick Viera happy after scoring goal

France vs. Spain fans playing table football