The Re-birth of Nations
from Germany to South Africa
11 July 2006
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It has been said that the 2006 World
Cup was the re-birth of the German nation. Indeed, the four weeks of summer represented the first occasion
since reunification that the German people have come together for outwardly nationalistic purposes.
Not since the Second World War has Germany embraced such national enthusiasm and fervor. The fall-out from
the war – the discovery of concentration camps, the recognition of a vast ethnic cleansing, the war crimes tribunals
– not to mention the previous war, pushed what became West Germany into a vacuum-like state of national disregard and
inwardness.
So uneasy was the German state with any manner of patriotic expression, that the place took on a rather repressive and humiliating
atmosphere. This was a Germany going out of its way to disconnect itself from its past. A Germany ashamed
of its history and humbling itself before the rest of the world. A Germany mortified of exhibiting any
pride in itself, as though the very trace of nationalism would be enough to stir the perils of times past.
The national football team entered the World Cup facing low expectations. A rookie manager.
Too many players too young; too many too old. All of Germany prepared for an early exit with the
familiar inward grimness. The team, however, must have prepared rather well. For not
only did they earn a berth in a semi-final and finish in third-place, but they entertained and played an enthusiastic brand
of up-tempo football along the way.
The country could not help but get caught up in it all. They roared from the stands, illuminated yellow,
red, and black, singing German folk songs and doing it all in vast congregation. Here was a new Germany.
An open Germany. Welcoming the world to consider it for what it is, and was. Dealing
with its past and heralding its future.
Hopefully, the 2010 World Cup will do the same for South Africa, and indeed the continent as a whole. Here
is a nation with a checkered past, much of it undealt with and so much strain in the undercurrents of its society.
A society ravaged with poverty, crime, and an economy which could use a good kick-start. With any
luck, hosting the World Cup will provide the ideal kick-start.
Though South Africa is sure to draw considerable attention upon itself in 2010, the eyes of the world will be just as focused
on the entire continent of Africa. In all likelihood, it will be four weeks of finding out.
Finding out about the countries and conflicts and success stories which do not make the headlines in first-world countries.
Finding out about Darfur – the genocide and displacement and passiveness of the Sudanese government.
Finding out about Uganda – the wars which have been waged for well-on twenty years, the abduction of children
for purposes of soldiering, the war-mongering of a marginalized, rebel army, and the problematic interventions of the International
Criminal Court.
Darfur has become something of a token cause in African affairs. As if recognizing the conflict and providing
some flowery discourse somehow eradicates a responsibility to the rest of the continent. The crisis in
Uganda is there for the finding. And there are plenty more. Plenty more stories of struggle
and nation-building.
Perhaps the 2010 World Cup will do for all of Africa what it did for Germany. If nothing else, it will
provide a showcase for the plight of an abused continent. What too often goes ignored will be right there
in front of the eyes of the world. There will be no ignoring it. No excuse for the ignorance.
Africa will be right in front of us and we will see it for what it is, and was.
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The Legacy of Zinedine Zidane
10 July 2006
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Legacy.
The world is obsessed with it. The yearning for legacy is the recognition that we will die, in spite
of our achievements. And with our passing, so too will pass the accomplishments of our lifetime.
Therefore, to preserve our accomplishments for posterity, we become obsessed with legacy. We leave a legacy
to serve as a key for unlocking our accomplishments. Our legacy triggers the manner in which we are remembered.
Sometimes, however, a legacy becomes bigger than the repository of achievement. The legacy itself becomes
larger than life and diminishes the memory of great accomplishment. It takes a seminal moment to craft
such a legacy. And often, it is regrettable. And oh, that the legacy would not overshadow
a lifetime of grand achievement.
It is a risky business, legacy. It is gambling with the future and writing history. It
is orchestrating memory. We are fickle in our obsession with it and our obsession with writing history.
But it is all that remains in our passing. We cannot help but write it. For it
will be written nonetheless.
Today begins the process of writing the legacy of Zinedine Zidane. It is a procedure which begins the morning
after the exits of the world's great sports figures. It is a formula of weighing the achievements against
the detractions; the accomplishments against the failures.
The World Cup in Germany appeared to offer the perfect venue for legacy-writing. And as France gained momentum
throughout the knock-out stages, driven by the talismanic Zidane, it appeared as though the ending would only contribute to
and justify a brilliant career in world football. And when he scored on a penalty to put France ahead in
the final, it seemed as if the great maestro was giving himself, and the world, a memorable sending-off party.
Regrettably for all, it was in fact a sending-off itself which will define the final moments of Zinedine Zidane, the footballer.
A single moment of irrationality, provoked by an alleged racial insult of "dirty terrorist" – it does not matter.
Everything about the incident was ugly. And in one foolish moment, the legacy of the great Zidane
was altered.
Zidane will inevitably fall into an entirely separate category of sports figures. Though he was perhaps
one of the great footballers of all time, he was not Pele, the dazzling Brazilian youngster who thrilled the world and turned
Europe's attention to the talents of South America. Nor was he Maradona, the charismatic rebel who gained
the kind of prominence which one can only reach in a nation wrapped in turmoil and longing for a hero.
He will be remembered as a great footballer, sure. But every conversation concerning Zinedine Zidane from
now until forever will inevitably begin with the notorious head-butting of Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup Final in Berlin.
Of this sort there are precious few. The kind of figures who are defined by a single incident in
their lives which overshadows everything else they have accomplished.
Frank Reikhard's spitting on Rudi Voller comes to mind. There is the Eric Cantona drop-kick on a Crystal
Palace fan. For North American sports observers, the Todd Bertuzzi cheap-shot on Steve Moore is appropriate
in this category as well. Imagine, having the word incident attached to your name for the rest
of your life as Bertuzzi himself has. Incidentally, Diego Maradona qualifies in this group, what with the
hand of God-goal against Peter Shilton of England in Mexico, 1986.
Great athletes all, this infamous collection. Each one demonstrated brilliance on the field of play.
But each also experienced a single moment of notoriety which has come to surpass the many accomplishments of their
careers. A moment which has been written and remembered as their legacy. It is unlikely
to be much different for the unfortunate Zidane.
The Algerian-born midfield general who savored achievements on the grandest scale – lifting trophies in the leagues
of Europe, the Champions' League, the European Championship, and the World Cup. Dictating the pace of play
and performance of teammates and opponents both. Scoring wonder-goals and performing tricks to the fancy
of the lucky observers in attendance or watching on television. These are the achievements of Zinedine
Zidane. His repository of accomplishment. What he had written to be his legacy.
Even he could not have foreseen the final chapter on Sunday night. His notorious moment of irrationality.
Not only an instant of senselessness, but the final act of a career.
This morning he was awarded the Ballon d'Or, recognizing him as the premier performer in the World Cup.
Perhaps a gesture from the football world that his legacy will remain respectfully intact in spite of the incident.
Had France gone on to win the World Cup, this might have been so. The lasting image of Zinedine Zidane
might well have been his lifting of the trophy before legions of rapturous Paris crowds. The head-butting
incident could easily have slid by.
But it was not to be. And in defeat, it will be the final act of a brilliant life in football which will
serve as a legacy and a key to the many moments of brilliance before the blunder.
It is a risky business, legacy. But it is there to be written. The achievements against
the detractions; the accomplishments against the failures. For the legacy of Zinedine Zidane, one of the
latter has eclipsed all the rest.
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Diving Into the Murky Waters of Fair Play
05 July 2006
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It
seems as though FIFA enter every major international tournament with a mandate to stamp out the disgraceful practices of diving
and cheating which tarnish the image of world football. For sports observers in North America, it is a
directive quite similar to that which the National Hockey League attempted to eradicate for nearly a decade, namely clutching,
grabbing, and neutral-zone interference. While the NHL has just recently enjoyed some degree of success
in its venture, a similar result for world football will be far more difficult to come by.
For FIFA to
enjoy a comparable outcome, it must impose its mandate upon the various federations which tally well near the nations of the
earth. The World Cup provided a seemingly exploitable opportunity to blanket the FIFA membership with an
anti-diving message. Though the means were controversial and unexpected, FIFA may have reached an acceptable
end.
If
FIFA want a poster-boy for the fair-play campaign, the Portuguese entry in the World Cup may have provided the best and most
ironic choice. For it seems as though the football public, supporters, media, and participants inclusive,
has become absolutely disgusted with Portugal.
The
quarterfinal match with England on July 1 exhibited the sinister tactics of cheating and trickery on a stage for all to see.
Media outlets around the world cast a rather just perspective on the outcome. Though the English
team were undeserving of advancement in the World Cup, Luis Philippe Scholari's Portugal had earned a result by employing
the very elements of diving and cheating that so sicken not only FIFA, but observers worldwide.
Predictably,
a semifinal match with France brought more of the same. As the match progressed, it became evident how
international repugnance with Portuguese football had compounded over four days of fall-out. With every
touch of the ball, Christiano Ronaldo provoked jeers and mocking from the predominantly French audience. Indeed,
it was something of a surprise that Portugal lasted as long as fourteen minutes before the inevitable hauling-out of the stretcher
by those medics who must have been wondering that they were being cried wolf for the first of many times to come on the night.
Inevitably, Luis Figo was running all over the park not 10-seconds after having being dumped off of the stretcher at
the touchline.
As
Portugal tried in vain to draw level after Zidane's opening goal, they resorted to fishing for penalties in the area.
Ronaldo, in fact, made like a dolphin and dove majestically through the air, hurling his body forward and curling so
beautifully at the waist the he might have earned a perfect score had he launched himself from a 3-metre spring-board.
Postiga and countless others made similar attempts, only to be refuted by the capable Uruguayan official.
The
officiating in the two semifinals was brilliant and seemingly exactly what FIFA have in mind for all of its member federations.
The oversight of the Portugal-France contest was particularly competent, as the official not only refused to fall victim
to the Portuguese deceptiveness, but made a point of indicating that such strategy would be a waste of time under his watch.
If only such attentions had been paid on Saturday against England. Though it appears the English
casualty might just have brought about something of a global awareness to the dishonest elements of football.
It
must be said that the Carvalho tackle on Henry which garnered the penalty for Zidane did prompt some embellishment from the
French striker. But rather than condemn the Arsenal talisman for getting a penalty-kick rather cheaply,
most observers were somewhat inclined to point out that it was nice to see Portugal suffer a dose of their own medicine.
If you live by the sword, you must be prepared to die by it. Fortunately for
football, thanks the Portugal, fewer footballers will be taking the risk from now on.
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Giving the
Props to Becks
27 June 2006
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David
Beckham takes a lot of flack. Likely the world's most recognizable man and certainly its most identifiable
footballer, when it comes to respect, Becks receives very little. While the British tabloids are relentless
in documenting his every activity, the popular media leaves very few details uncovered as well. It seems
the world gets a good kick out of poking fun at the England captain. Overrated, over-paid, a pretty-boy,
out-of-shape, past his prime – the list goes on. David Beckham is larger than life. We
put him there. While we have resorted to giving him jabs, it might do some good to recall why he is on
a pedestal in the first place.
We
are a jealous public. We crave entertainment and we crave individuals who capture our emotions, attractions,
and imaginations. We live our dreams through them. We obsess over them and we become
jealous of them. We are jealous of the celebrity we have created. The world is jealous
of David Beckham.
Hidden
under that pile of bad, muck-raking press are some cold, hard truths. The truth is that in his prime, David
Beckham was one of the finest footballers on the planet. He owned the right side of the park and provided
incomparable service to his attacking teammates. He won trophies with Manchester United and captured the
attention of his country and the world with his talent.
The
truth is that David Beckham is a handsome man. Football transcends only so much. Becks
has face-value because of his face. Women on every continent swoon at merely the sight of him.
On a practical level, consider the popular hairstyles of many players in this World Cup. In Korea/Japan
four years ago it was remarked that Beckham must have thought he played for France, what with dressing his hair like a rooster!
Fashionable lads all over Europe now have a rooster crawling out of their scalps. And I can speak
to it – I do my hair like David Beckham.
The
truth is that David Beckham married a beautiful woman. Not every man gets a Spice Girl, but Becks is not
every man. It was the coming together of Britain's pop-prince and princess.
The
truth is that David Beckham lives the life that every boy in Britain, and indeed most of the world, grew up dreaming about.
Playing football for a living, winning trophies for United, marrying a Spice Girl, being named the captain of England.
And
because of it, because of our jealousy, it seems the poor lad can do no right. Well, it's time to set the
record straight, get over all the jealousy, and face some cold, hard truths. David Beckham is playing out
of his skin in Germany this summer.
He
has been producing box-to-box effort, fulfilling defensive responsibilities and advancing the ball with conviction.
His service has been superb. He has played as an attacking winger and withdrawn midfielder –
whatever has been asked of him. He has led by example. He is elegant in his movements
and does not go down from nary a touch. He has played through illness and excelled under the most intense
pressure.
Sure,
he will have his detractors even if he hoists the trophy in Berlin on July 9. He will face criticism from
those who want to make criticism and cynicism from those who wish to be cynical. But it will only be one
more glorious story in a life we all wish we were living.
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Opus IX
Opus Football's World Cup Starting-11
05 July 2006
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GK Buffon consensus
top keeper at Finals
D Sagnol
has owned the right flank
D Thuram
vigorous vet showing '98 form
D Cannavarro
at 35, the best defender in the tournament
D Lahm
quick, responsible – scored wonder-goal to open tournament
M Rodriguez
brilliant striking ability with either foot
M Vieira
provider of timely goals and sturdy backbone
M Zidane
all-time great turning back the hands of time
M Ronaldo
has disgraced his reputation and frightened defenders
F Klose
will win the Golden Boot
F Torres
the brightest of a considerable crop of up-and-comers
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Iran Should Be Seen for What It Is
20 June 2006
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In
this past Saturday's Globe and Mail, football reporter John Doyle ventured upon the queasy theme of sport and politics.
Doyle's premise – that FIFA should ban Iran from international competition, citing human rights violations, particularly
the regime's treatment of women. He elaborated to explain how the Iranian authorities prevent women from attending football
matches and how such policy should be chastised before the world on a stage such as the World Cup.
With all due respect, Mr. Doyle is exemplary in his craft and his work is generally held in high regard. On this issue, however,
he is either way off base or just plain over his head. FIFA does not seek to function as a political organization and has
no business interfering in the policies of its member nations. Secondly, Zep Blatter and his lieutenants do not particularly
care about their influence in the political world.
And therein lies the crux of Doyle's argument. Though
FIFA was founded to simply organize and bring together the football associations of the planet, there is no denying that in
today's global world, FIFA's power eclipses that of many national governments. Concerning their intervention into regional
affairs, however; FIFA has it bang-on.
The World Cup is the most open, inclusive, and popular gathering
of nations on the calendar, either political or sporting. This is no G-7 or OPEC or Security Council. This is a stage where
every nation of the globe is presented the
