The Most Beautiful Game

After four very long years the FIFA World Cup has returned, this time to the land of South Africa. The land formerly besieged by apartheid, the land of Nelson Mandela, Stephen Biko, Desmond Tutu, and Lucky Dube. Some people were skeptical of this World Cup’s location in South Africa, centered around the city of Johannesburg, which has been experiencing an outbreak of crime and violence, the same violence that led to roots reggae singer Lucky Dube’s murder a few years ago. Others have said that the attention given to hosting the World Cup has ignored the problems facing the population of disenfranchised South Africans in the country. While the South Africa World Cup has not been without its criticism, I think that ultimately it is helping South Africa more than it is hurting it. I don’t think the now elderly freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela, would endorse anything less.

I have been waiting for this event, the most highly anticipated in the world, since the end of the last one in 2006. The World Cup is like no other sporting event, even the Olympics cannot match the fervor and the attention that this soccer championship garners from all across the globe. Passions run deep, only 32 nations qualify to participate and only 1 will survive to be the champion. Since this World Cup began on June 11th, I’ve had to negotiate between my daily responsibilities as a teacher during the busy end of the school year and with viewing the various matches of football each day by any means necessary. Every spare moment I had would be spent huddled around a computer, listening to the radio, or finding a TV. Now that the school year is finally over, I can hang up the shirt and tie for the rest of the summer, put on one of my soccer jerseys, and enjoy the rest of the tournament on my own time without sneaking away at computers or waiting to see recorded matches back at home. Of course, the last games of the group stages are played simultaneously... now if I could only split myself in two. Thankfully DVR technology is the next best thing.

Soccer, or football as most of the world calls it, is really the world’s universal game. It is remarkably simple and yet at the same time can be played with such complexity and style that it seems beyond our scope. All it requires is something to kick, a bundle of stitched rags will do if a ball cannot be afforded. And although anyone can play the game, young and old, men and women, rich and poor, very few can master it with the grace and technique of those who become professional players. Each of these players have a story, some of the best players often come from poverty, where their one leisure was soccer, and if they are were lucky enough and skilled enough they could become professionals. Professionals who could earn millions of dollars playing on famous club teams and who could one day get the chance to represent their own country on the stage of the World Cup.

In my travels I have seen soccer played wherever I went. In the Italian village of Volturara Irpina and the small Sicilian city of Melilli where parts of my family came from, children would play in paved piazzas in the shadow of an old church and bounce soccer balls down narrow cobblestone streets. Soccer runs in the blood of the Italians, as it does in many other nations of the world. In the streets of Belmont, Port-of-Spain in Trinidad & Tobago, young boys played barefoot on the dirt road in the hills above the city. I can remember standing beside a gate and watching how the neighbor’s chickens would scramble out of the way as skilled feet danced the ball between opponents. In Bigiston, Suriname, young men played on a pitch in front of a primary school beside the Marowijne River. In this village that was part Amerindian Caribs and part African Maroons, a game of soccer was representative of two different cultures and peoples living peacefully and being united by something as simple as a friendly soccer match. That is one reason why it is called the beautiful game. The Brazilians first called it that because of the athleticism and technique involved in playing, but I believe it is also because soccer demonstrates a way of life and culture that no other game can be compared to. Soccer is a culture for all cultures.

The World Cup magnifies all of this and brings it to a fever pitch. Every four years, a number of nations from every populated continent come together in order to compete for the title of Champion of the World. They are the ones who made it through qualification rounds which began a few years ago. Almost every nation on the earth has a team and football association, but only 32 make it to the tournament. Different skin colors, diverse faces, ethnicities, and religions all come together to speak the universal language of football. All of the different team jerseys, with their bright colors, distinct patterns and insignia are emblematic of armies gathered for a military campaign. Fans wear these same uniforms of national pride as their team plays for the glory. Flags, chants, and anthems fill the stadium in support of 11 men playing on the pitch. Players on the national teams may face teammates and friends from their individual club teams who instead represent their home country during the World Cup. Nations may face former enemies, colonial masters, or even current political rivals but somehow the simple game of soccer is a unifying force and all of the differences seem to disappear in the midst of the beautiful game. Soccer cuts down all barriers and focuses the energy into a competition of sport. It is the closest thing one can find to a war, where passions flare and everything is on the line, but there is no bloodshed, there is no destruction. These soccer armies are not created to wage war, but for winning the honor of being the greatest soccer nation in the world. During each game there will ultimately be a winner and a loser, one will advance in triumph while the other team will have to end their journey with dignified acceptance. The players and fans of a national team are deeply embedded in the action and the results, while others may be neutral to some of the games until their own country or favorites become the ones to have a stake in it. Every move is watched, every second could lead to stunning goals being made, or the agony of near misses. Star players could rise, star players could fall. Games may offer edge of the seat, nail-biting action, or slow-paced unimpressive ball passing. Simply put, there is nothing like World Cup.

By the time I have gotten around to writing this, the group stage of the World Cup is nearly over, with the final games of each group being played simultaneously for fair play in determining who will emerge out to the Round of 16. Earlier today the United States advanced from and won their group during the last few minutes of stoppage time added at the end of the match. That one goal made the difference and might ultimately help the U.S. finally have the opportunity to be taken seriously as an international soccer nation. So far, other nations have advanced too, including some of the usual big names like Brazil and Argentina. On the opposite end, other teams have already been eliminated, among them most of the six African nations that qualified for the World Cup. It is rather heartbreaking to see because this is the first World Cup held on African soil and African teams have always been the underdog in comparison to the European and South American giants. A few days ago, the host nation South Africa, who almost had an amazing chance to make it out of the group against all odds, was eliminated. They joined Cameroon, and Nigeria who also had one last chance to make it, and nearly did. The other African teams seem to be joining them soon, all but one, the Black Stars of Ghana. After two successful matches Ghana was at the top of their group, and although they lost their last first-round game against the soccer titan Germany, they were still able to advance out of their group with 2nd place. On their backs, Ghana will be carrying the hopes of all the African continent and the African nations that were eliminated. The strange irony of it all is that Ghana will now have to face the U.S. during the Round of 16 knock-out game. My heart will be torn while watching that match. Yet, I can only imagine the feeling being all the more intense for Ghanaian-Americans, like some of my friends and students, who love both of their nations. The World Cup often overflows with surprises...

I’m looking forward to about two and a half more weeks of World Cup soccer, it all ends on July 11th after a month of competition. Surely there will be disappointments, but there will also be glorious triumphs. Hopefully my allegiance is on the right side, at the right time. I’m looking for something good to come out of the USA vs. Ghana game... though I’m not sure what that should be yet. I’m looking for gli Azzurri, the Italian national team, to live up to their reputation as the defending champion of the world. Finally, I am looking forward to watch some lovely soccer being played by Argentina and other top teams. In the end, may the best and most deserving team win the World Cup title for the most beautiful game. One thing is for certain... it only gets better from here!

Something special will happen in South Africa, and there is no better place for it to happen than this land of struggle and reconciliation. I wonder what Lucky Dube would think. I wonder what Stephen Biko and all those who lost their lives in the struggle against apartheid would think. Different nations, united by one spirit, one culture, one language... the most beautiful game: Soccer, Football, Fútbol, Calcio.

Forza Azzurri! Viva Italia! (... and Ghana, USA and Argentina!),
JAHsh

Tutto vero, gli Azzurri... Campioni Del Mondo!

Today is a historical day. A fourth star can be added to the logo of the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio... that is the Italian Football Federation. I have been waiting for this day for a lifetime, or at least most of a lifetime. Italia has won the World Cup once again after many years, the first Italian victory since 1982 after some heartbreaking close calls. The Azzurri, Italy's national team named after the blue color of their uniforms, have been singing the blues instead, but that all changed today. Italy has now won the world cup 4 times: 1934, 1938, 1982... and 2006.

For as long as I can remember I have enjoyed watching the World Cup and rooting for Italy along with my family and friends. It is not just about soccer, football, or calcio as the Italians call it... but a rallying point for a culture and heritage that I share. It has been especially nostalgic this year because my trod with Rastafari and its own unique culture can sometimes overshadow my personal and ethnic roots. So I have been showing some Italian pride, and for this past month and a half I have been pouring over statistics and familiarizing myself with the athletes, or recalling veteran players from World Cups past... and the players I used to love watching who have retired from the game. I can remember in 1994, the final game was Italy vs. Brazil, and it ended in penalty kicks. Unfortunately it ended with Italy losing after Roberto Baggio, a great all-time player and one of my favorites to watch, had missed. In 1998 Italy was matched against France in the semifinals and that game went into penalty kicks as well... and Italy lost. In 2002, Italy didn't do too well, period. So you can imagine my anxiety as a fan when this final World Cup game ended in... penalty kicks. Yet, somewhere in the back of my mind I had the feeling that this could be the year... a great goal-keeper, Gianluigi Buffon, the confidence of a strong team, and the absence of France's star Zinedine Zidane after some bizarre head-butting. I was on the edge of my seat, barely blinking as the PK's proceeded. Minutes afterward... the game ended and the Azzurri, team Italia, had won. Satisfaction. I would be celebrating with the paisanos in Middletown, or Hartford... my good friend called me from Little Italy, NYC a few minutes ago... but I am enjoying the victory in my own way. Besides I am tired from being out the night before. Either way, Italy has won and I am extremely happy. Forza Italia!!

This was an exiting World Cup and not only for my own biased reason; the joys of victories, the agonizing defeats, the glory of the game. Other than my beloved Italy, I was following other teams and players as well. I was sad to see Trinidad & Tobago not advance to the second round, but enjoyed the way that they played. Ghana also played very hard, especially in the second round game against Brazil. USA, well maybe next time. The World Cup is such a great event, and truly on a worldwide scale. Now I will have to bide my time watching or reading about international friendly games and smaller tournaments while enduring another 4 long years for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. I am glad to see it taking place there, I hope it does alot for the continent and brings more notoriety to the deserving African players who are continuing to become a forces to be reckoned with in the world of soccer. Now it is back to the real world, everything continues as usual... I'll miss the excitement of the games and the coverage, since there is barely any appreciation for soccer here in the States. Oh well, perhaps its for the best, so I can function like a normal person. But I still have a summer to soak in the Italian victory and be a FIFA fanatic. SI, TUTTO VERO... ITALIA, CAMPIONI DEL MONDO!! FORZA ITALIA, FORZA AZZURRI!!

JAHsh
The I-Talian Rastaman

World Cup Soccer Fever

Well it is finally here after four long years... the World Cup. I remember back in 2002 (back in 2002?! that just does not sound right), when I was still living in NJ at my soon-to-become-ex's house, and when I was working on my senior seminar at Seton Hall and working at a wine store. I would stay up late at night and watch the games broadcasting live from South Korea/Japan on Univision at 2 or 3 in the morning. Yes, that was crazy. Now four years later I am up here in CT living with my family, busy finishing my Master's and wondering where all the time went and where I'll be in another four years. Many of my favorite and famous players are not on the teams this year. Some new teams made it for the first time. Trinidad & Tobago are in the World Cup this year, ironically I was supposed to go there during the summer of 2002 with my ex to visit her family. Anyway, thankfully the games are broadcasting at decent times of the day since they are being played in Germany this year, so I won't lose any sleep. On the otherhand they will be playing while I am at work. Hey, what can you do.

Yes, I love soccer... well, football as the rest of the world calls it, and calcio as the Italians say. My favorite team is Italia of course... gli Azzurri! It is a good time for me to take pride in my heritage. I am also rooting for Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Poland and Germany (my other ethnicities), Ghana, and Ivory Coast... oh yeah U.S.A., they actually have a chance this year. Brazil is always fun to watch too, but they are the rivals of all my teams. I won't predict a winner, I am just enjoying the ride.

The World Cup is such an amazing thing, teams and players from all over the world coming together to play one game. I love watching all of the different color flags and uniforms, different color people and languages, all playing by the same rules. The excitement, the athletic skill, the pride and celebration. Imagine if the governments and nations could follow the example of the "beautiful game".

FORZA AZZURRI!!! VIVA ITALIA!

JAHsh