All Hail the World Cup!
The World Cup's done for another four years. For pikers like me, it could be another four years before I commit to watching another soccer match. Then again, maybe not. It runs in streaks.
For years, U.S. interest in soccer was limited. But it spread slowly but surely at the school level, with all sorts of kids and young adults taking to the sport. So interest has built up on that level.
Then there's clever marketing by FIFA, the world body that "governs" soccer, or, as it's known in the rest of the world "football." They've built the World Cup up over the years to be the one event that peacefully unites the entire world - or something like that. Besides the marketing propaganda, two things about the tournament stood out in my mind as worthy of mention.
First, their replay system was impressive, especially compared to my experience with that of NFL football, even baseball, for that matter. (I'm not sure about the NBA, since I hardly ever watch it.) Hockey's the only other sport I can think of that has a similarly efficient system.
The other thing that impressed me was the introduction of teams and playing of national anthems. Missing are all the smoke, blasting pop music, and other gimmicks that have taken over pro sports in this country. Things proceed quickly and in a relatively dignified manner, and the game begins at the designated time. Not bad.
Was this the greatest World Cup of our lifetimes, as touted over and over by the announcers? Well, I've been watching this thing for a while, and for the last three Cups or so, have connected starting with the prelimnary rounds. The quality of play did seem superior this time: less time wasted playing for a tie, for example, something that seemed to be a common tactic in the past by the big time teams as they entered the final rounds.
Final thought: I liked England and Croatia. England for its youth and enthusiasm, Croatia 'cause it's a small country and played the giants with great spirit, falling just one game short. Those guys played three overtime games before Sunday's final, coming back from a deficit each time. Imagine the determination and stamina to took to do all that! I found it inspiring.
For years, U.S. interest in soccer was limited. But it spread slowly but surely at the school level, with all sorts of kids and young adults taking to the sport. So interest has built up on that level.
Then there's clever marketing by FIFA, the world body that "governs" soccer, or, as it's known in the rest of the world "football." They've built the World Cup up over the years to be the one event that peacefully unites the entire world - or something like that. Besides the marketing propaganda, two things about the tournament stood out in my mind as worthy of mention.
First, their replay system was impressive, especially compared to my experience with that of NFL football, even baseball, for that matter. (I'm not sure about the NBA, since I hardly ever watch it.) Hockey's the only other sport I can think of that has a similarly efficient system.
The other thing that impressed me was the introduction of teams and playing of national anthems. Missing are all the smoke, blasting pop music, and other gimmicks that have taken over pro sports in this country. Things proceed quickly and in a relatively dignified manner, and the game begins at the designated time. Not bad.
Was this the greatest World Cup of our lifetimes, as touted over and over by the announcers? Well, I've been watching this thing for a while, and for the last three Cups or so, have connected starting with the prelimnary rounds. The quality of play did seem superior this time: less time wasted playing for a tie, for example, something that seemed to be a common tactic in the past by the big time teams as they entered the final rounds.
Final thought: I liked England and Croatia. England for its youth and enthusiasm, Croatia 'cause it's a small country and played the giants with great spirit, falling just one game short. Those guys played three overtime games before Sunday's final, coming back from a deficit each time. Imagine the determination and stamina to took to do all that! I found it inspiring.
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