Soccer and the Other Things of Life
Annotated first Gameby Paul Grant and Roy Stephen
Welcome to Germany 06, the FIFA World Cup. No other sporting event; perhaps no other news event is as closely followed. Strangely enough, although the United States’ team is currently ranked in the top five, North America is a little bubble of dispassion amid a global sea of football fervor.
Last Friday, urbana.org’s editors sat down to watch Costa Rica take on hosts Germany in the tournament’s opening game. Here is a timeline of the match, along with our discussions.
0:01 Costa Rica begins play. Roy predicts: Germany wins 4:1. Paul, mindful of Cameroon's stunning upset of Argentina in 1990's World Cup, is going with Costa Rica, 2:1.
1' Costa Rica squanders a free kick after a German foul.
2' Germany shot on goal. The atmosphere is electric for Germany and nervy for Costa Rica.
5' Germany scores the first goal Philip Lahm with a rising curve to the far post.
5' FIFA’s Boss Sepp Blatter said recently that football will unify the world. He meant that in a cosmic sense, as if soccer will do what the war to end all wars failed to do. As Christians we know this is a ridiculous thought. Sin is such a powerful determinant for human history. Actually, it's kind of pathetic. If soccer is the world's only hope, I don't think life is worth living. As an alternative to soccer, Sheraton Hotels just told us in an advertisement that "We Belong!" We belong! (If we stay at a Sheraton.) It's good to know our problems are finally solved. Belonging. At long last.
10' Costa Rica shreds Germany and Scores! Wanhope gets past Germany's stingy defenders. We have a game!
16' Germany scores again! Klose in a methodical team effort.
20' RS: I should start supporting Costa Rica; they're looking pretty bad. The Germans are more together as a team, especially in terms of passing. Do you think there's truth the old stereotypes about national character being on display on the field?
PG: Looking at Germany's score just now, the old German teamwork value Mannschaft was certainly at play. This was nothing if not unselfish. Things can change, though. In 1994 and 1998 the Americans were so focused on looking good and being cool that they looked awful on the bottom line. But by 2002 the Americans had thrown out image - a countercultural move if there ever was one - and made it deep into the tournament.
22' Shots are now 7:1 in Germany's favor. Both teams are getting cautious.
30' By the way, have you ever wondered why soccer is another name for football? The word comes from the association part of “Association [meaning team] Football,” which was the first name for the sport. The word is still in use in England, but is most common in North America, where Soccer distinguishes “Association Football” from what is commonly called “American Football.”
31' Costa Rica is shown a yellow card.
33' Germany is caught offsides. It's almost hard not to be, since the entire match is now being played in the Costa Rican half
38' Free kick for Germany about 20 meters out - but Podoski kicks it wide
40' As you watch these matches, consider praying for the IFES movements in the countries repesented on the field. Right now it's Germany and Costa Rica. For the whole prayer guide, plus reasons why a few teams deserve to win the game, see this feature.
41' Corner for Germany results in nothing. Germany could be up several goals by now if they were as precise in finishing as they are in passing.
Halftime
What is your favorite World Cup Memory?
PG: Mine was the mini riot that erupted in 1990 in Switzerland, where I was living at the time, when Italy was eliminated in the Semi-Finals. It gave me a strong understanding of how important soccer was to my Italian neighbors: They threw their televisions out of their windows and onto the street below.
RS: Mine was also 1990. I remember hanging out with lots of friends that year, watching TV late into the night. Diego Maradona played that year for Argentina, before he turned into a cokehead.
47' Costa Rica is playing with fresh legs.
50' The last time Germany won the world cup was 1990, the year of reunification after the cold war. That was a beautiful year. Franz Beckenbauer was coach that year.
52' 3:1! Klose scores for Germany, getting his own rebound.
60' Going back to the world unity thing, there is a degree to which it's true. Americans who wish to travel overseas in the next two years really ought to pay attention to the results. In much of the world, this will be the major conversation piece - an instant bridge.
70' PG: Does World Cup soccer inflame, or defuse, nationalism? RS: I don't think this comes close to Pakistan and India in cricket. When I went to college in northern India, riots used to break out. When Pakistan won, Muslims around town used to pass out candy, and major brawls would break out.
72' Costa Rica scores! They're now within a goal. Replay shows Wanchope was clearly offside. Costa Rica gets a freebie on this one.
80' PG This year, I was reading, English is the official language. Referees had to pass a language test to qualify for the tournament. This guy, for instance, Argentine ref Horacio Elizondo, said "It’s a great idea in that respect as well. Before, if you didn’t speak English, you spent the whole tournament with your mouth closed. Now you can interact, and sit down and have a chat with fellow referees from other countries."
87' 4:1 Frings scores for Germany. A rocket from midfield. That pretty much seals it.
Full Time Germany wins the first game of the world cup.
Unless otherwise noted, all materials on the urbana.org web site are Copyright InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA. All rights reserved.
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