Thursday, June 08, 2006

Ole Ole Ole

16 years ago when I was at sweet 16, I first encountered football, my first World Cup (sorry, North Americans, out of respect I am calling this game for what it really is). It was an unforgettable summer. Me and my best friend were crazy for this game. We hand-drew all the posters. We were both cheering for Germany. I was for No.18 and she was for No.10. I got up every time at 3 am to watch the game. Italy looked so beautiful. I never forget the morning when my favorite team won the champion. When I was watching the sunrise on the balcony I felt truly happy.


Football is an amazing game, the combination of speed, strength, and intelligence. It is also an undiscriminating game. You could be short and you could be skinny. As long as you can run and you want to play, you are in.The World Cup is special. First it makes you wait for 4 long years. Second it is not a game of a whole bunch millionaires running around. Some players and referees have daytime job. They have to take days off for the game. World Cup is a holiday, a celebration, a month-long party for everyone from all over the world who loves this game.


Some snobby guys say that women watch this game only for the good looking players. What they fail to see is every man who plays, who rises and falls, who screams even cries, who runs with his national flag running with him on his chest is as good looking as a Greek god.
This World Cup is also special to me because some of my favorite players from 16 years ago are here again as coaches, Van Basten for Netherlands, Klinsmann for Germany...


Pele once said, 'My heart starts pounding every four years'. Are you ready?!

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