For the uninitiated, that means Football.
Still can't believe that we had to delve deep into the world of nothingness to get something to talk about last week. The week in which the leap year-ish ritual of watching football began again. The week which saw the peak of "what female counterparts should do during world cup" and "what you should do to come off as an intellectual football fan" messages.
*** While we are on the topic, read this article on why there's an "Unconscious bias" against females in football. ***
The week that passed saw my fellow nationals supporting other countries - usually, one after the another depending on who gets knocked out first with many already on their second team, thanks to Spain's early exit. By the end of next week, they would be left with a small pool of 16 teams to choose from.
Last week saw even the most casual of sports fan take a second look at the channel showing the matches. Why? Well, because it is the World cup. It's the biggest stage, which has the biggest stars vying for the biggest honour in the world of Football.
Even with such high credentials, regular football followers had expected a dour group stage as most of the teams would play cautiously to ensure a safe passage to the knockout stages. That has not been the case.
"Gung ho!!" seems to be the mantra that the coaches are whispering into the player's ears. Everybody's attacking. Not to say that anyone's complaining though. We've had last minute winners, spectacular goals, stupid red cards and thoroughly engaging games on the whole. There hasn't been a winner in only four of the 23 matches so far.
Even though the venue of the event ensures that the kickoff times are almost entirely ungodly, there has been no dearth of audience for the matches. And with the bounds and leaps social networking has gone in the past four years, I'm enjoying the match sitting at home, while actively discussing the events and tactics with friends scattered far and away.
Last time around I was on my way to my new job, when the World cup started. Being a novice, I asked my more knowledgeable friends which team I should say I support. Someone said "Spain" and that was it. But over the past four years, I've grown from a passive, casual football fan to an active, "give me more" kind of person. It's a change I've come to love.
And this world cup I didn't have to ask anyone before pledging my allegiance to Die deutsche Fußballnationalmannschaft, or the Germany's National football team as they are popularly known. And , going back to the topic of inherent sexism in football, it's nice knowing that there's a female friend who supports the same team as mine.
And it is on this enriching experience that we'll have a short post on for this week's "5 things".
***
1. First winner of the World Cup??
Uruguay. (in 1930)
2. The team to have won the most World Cups??
Brazil. (five times)
3. The only team to have retained the trophy??
Brazil. (in 1958 and in 1962)
4. The latest defending champion to bow out in the group stage??
Spain (Winner of 2010 World Cup).
2006 winners Italy did the same in 2010 and 1998 winners France did the same in 2002.
5. Where the next two world cups are going to be held??
In Russia for the 2018 World Cup, and in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.
***
There has been much furore over the decision to let Qatar host the world cup for the year 2022. For a governing body associated with such a prestigious, global game, FIFA aren't covering themselves with glory following the various allegations coming up against them. John Oliver has a lot of things to say about FIFA and the world cup and he needs just 13 minutes of your valuable time.
I'll also be asking for a few minutes of your time next week, as we delve further into the controversy that is becoming the FIFA. Yup, that's right. I've decided to milk the virtual teats of the cow that is Football for a topic until the World cup is over.
And since you are such an ardent reader to have kept reading till now, I'll let you have a sneak peak on the next week's headlines.
(ONLY FOR YOUR EYES)
ON HERE NEXT WEEK :
What is the white, foamy stuff that the referee is spraying on the pitch?
husemeplz investigates.
***
Well, that's all for this week.
Hope you have a great weekend. Meet you in the comment sections, if you are interested.
'til next week.
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