For my American readership, I thought I would let you know that the Football (Soccer) World Cup is kicking off this weekend. World Cups in any sport only come around every 4 years, and I was vaguely aware of it just before we moved to England 4 years ago. The games were in Germany and played live in the US in the morning, so I would have to watch the replays on the Spanish channel at night. Since I’d never gotten in to soccer playing a game with no audio didn’t help much, but I figured I needed to have a taste of it before moving. My appreciation of the sport has risen greatly after being here.
This year the games are in South Africa, so not bad for a European time zone, but I guess more people have pvr’s these days, so that’s not as much an issue. Funny enough the US is playing England for their first game. Of course the English think they will win, but I know otherwise.
Even though the English invented rugby and cricket, there was now where near the interest that football draws. England is touted as the country with the least national pride in Europe (as a saw in a recent survey). You hardly ever see an english flag (since it is kind of associated with right-wing anti-immigration types), which is different from the British Union flag. But the flags are everywhere now.
England Flag: St. George’s Cross
British Union Flag:
A Combination of St. George’s Cross (England), St. Andrew’s Cross (Scotland), and St. Patrick’s Cross (Ireland) Wales technically falls under St George’s flag, but their Dragon didn’t make it in.
Wednesday, 9 June 2010 at 8:02 am
I think there is a certain high regard for the US team witin the English sporting public. On paper, man – for- man, the English players appear to be more formidable. But the US team has a history of playing beyond the on-paper reckoning. Although I’m still picking an England win. But it won’t be anything like a walkover.
Wednesday, 9 June 2010 at 10:29 am
The English Premier League has a very strong presence here in Asia especially the big teams like Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Everton just to name a few. In the England World Cup team, the players are selected from these top teams to represent their country for national pride and glory.
While in the USA, I am not too sure since football or soccer as the Americans will call it is perhaps not the mainstream sports as oppose to American football, baseball, basketball etc. Nevertheless, I stand to be corrected.
Anyway, I have this info from my blog with a link to an interactive World Cup 2010 scorecard for countries participating, schedule, where and when matches are held. Do check it out and have fun watching the live telecast. http://kongkor.com/2010/06/09/world-cup-2010-a-must-have-for-all-football-fans/
Wednesday, 9 June 2010 at 2:22 pm
Hi Ben,
I hope and pray things will run smoothly in South Africa – my home country, as you know! I won’t be there – too busy here in Nijmegen (3 days) and Cambridge (2 days) a week..
I’ve got no hopes of us reaching even the second round though…
Best regards
Frederik
Wednesday, 9 June 2010 at 10:33 pm
The reason that Wales is not included is due to the fact that Wales is a principality unlike England, Scotland and Ireland are Countries