Same planet, different worlds

[Dan Loney]

Soccer fever strikes in strange places. My friend called me up this morning, wanting to make sure she didn't miss the England game.

"Now that the USA is out, I really hope England wins," she said.

"Really? I didn't know you liked England," I said.

"Oh, of course. They're our oldest ally. They're the country we share the most with. It was England that pioneered representative democracy, fighting the battle for freedom since the Magna Carta. England brought our language and culture to its all-time height with the glories of Shakespeare and the majesty of the King James Bible. It was England that through the centuries led the fight for freedom, against the Inquisition of Habsburg Spain, against Napoleon, down through the twentieth century. It was England that first abolished the slave trade, and it was England who gave us the industrial innovations that freed us from the drudgery of rural serfdom. They stood alone against Hitler, and fought the most dangerous and evil dictator in history to a standstill. That courageous accomplishment will always be remembered. England will always stand with America for freedom, for civilization, and for democracy. From Dover to Cornwall to Yorkshire to Buckingham Palace to Penny Lane, there will always, always be an England."

"Oh," I said. "I'm actually cheering for Ecuador."

"Why?"

"I think they play pretty," I said.

[SankaCofie]

They didn't play pretty today. :( :( :(

England dives alot.

I'm still bitter.

[ritsoccer86]

Soccer fever strikes in strange places. My friend called me up this morning, wanting to make sure she didn't miss the England game.

"Now that the USA is out, I really hope England wins," she said.

"Really? I didn't know you liked England," I said.

"Oh, of course. They're our oldest ally. They're the country we share the most with. It was England that pioneered representative democracy, fighting the battle for freedom since the Magna Carta. England brought our language and culture to its all-time height with the glories of Shakespeare and the majesty of the King James Bible. It was England that through the centuries led the fight for freedom, against the Inquisition of Habsburg Spain, against Napoleon, down through the twentieth century. It was England that first abolished the slave trade, and it was England who gave us the industrial innovations that freed us from the drudgery of rural serfdom. They stood alone against Hitler, and fought the most dangerous and evil dictator in history to a standstill. That courageous accomplishment will always be remembered. England will always stand with America for freedom, for civilization, and for democracy. From Dover to Cornwall to Yorkshire to Buckingham Palace to Penny Lane, there will always, always be an England."

"Oh," I said. "I'm actually cheering for Ecuador."

"Why?"

"I think they play pretty," I said.


dude....she said that over the phone? haha wow....

[SankaCofie]

On an only slightly related note... a few of my co-workers who have no idea I was born in Ecuador revealed to me individually they were rooting for Ecuador, when I asked them why they told me they liked the jerseys and they really like the "goalie who painted his face"...

so... I got ask.

Purely the slow style of play... or did the keeper-makeup influence your decision?

I'm all in favor of the U.S. keeper coming out in 2010 with one of the "embrace the colors" designs on his face in red white and blue. :D

[Dan Loney]

Mostly a hangover from their great performance against Poland, when for one match they really were the jogo bonitaest show on earth. Wasn't just me, a lot of people tuned in and liked what they saw. Being the very second game of the tournament probably helped - they had everyone's full attention. I thought they had what it took to beat England, but they didn't.

[Deuteriumoxide]

almost though. best part of the match today was becks puking his guts up.

[SankaCofie]

If only that first bounce had been straight... yarg.

Its probably a good thing Ecuador is out. between them and the U.S. games my blood pressure is dangerously high. One day Ecuador and the U.S. will qualify for a world cup and actually meet deep into the tournament and great soccer will be played and then I can die happy.*

Also.. just remembered... alot of my friends were surprised at how dark Ecuador was. "I thought Ecuador was hispanic" was the one comment that stands out... as if hispanic were a color.

* I just remembered what little hope I had for Ecuador three weeks ago when they had just gotten finished drawing a German college or rec-team or somesuch and how certain I was that they would go far in 2002. Whilst expecting the U.S. to surprise the Europeans again this time. I think this proves I may have the worst soccer mind ever (after Brent Musberger).

[nach0king]

Could your friend please explain how on earth "England" stood alone against Hitler?

I realise it was illustrative of a point, but that is a truly massive disservice to the many other nations and individuals who fought the Axis Powers, including those of the United Kingdom as a whole, which contains four nations; not just England. Add to that the French and latterly Free French, several British Empire nations, much of Northern Europe, Greece, Yugoslavia, the Soviets and the others who intervened before Pearl Harbour. Then those nations that joined after Pearl Harbour; many of those also did their utmost in the European theatre, not least the USA.

Anyway...

I appreciate the moral of your article, if not the boneheaded words of your friend. It's best to take the teams on their merits and not for their politics. It's difficult sometimes. I fully admit that I'm uncomfortable with supporting Saudi Arabia, as I find the leaders of that country to be awful. However, I know that isn't the fault of the players, some of whom may not share their leaders' views. They, like every other team at the tournament, consist of a team of players wanting to do their very best on the football pitch. They should not be treated as cultural ambassadors. They are sportsmen. They may be proud of their country, but they do not embody its politics. They may be of the nation, but they may not be of the state.

In the end, though, the Saudis were woeful and quite dull to watch to boot, so my mind was made up for me.

I wanted Ecuador to win because England winning the world cup will mean a lifetime of constant reminders through the "great" British media, not to mention that they are quite overrated and their midfield is painful to watch (so much talent, so poorly utilised.)

However, the distinct lack of urgency during the 90 minutes had me disgusted with the Ecuadorians. They went out of the tournament with a whimper. They weren't even plucky underdogs. Underdogs try.

[ElasticNorseman]

England .... They're our oldest ally.


actually, they're our oldest enemy.

[::::::]

I'm all in favor of the U.S. keeper coming out in 2010 with one of the "embrace the colors" designs on his face in red white and blue. :D

Maybe if our players had worn their warpaint from the MLS commercial. Fighting for the colors and all that whatnot.

[Simster]

actually, they're our oldest enemy.Oh yeah, because dozens of countries were prepared to pile into Iraq behind the US - all on the false whim of George W.

Muppet.

[nach0king]

Historically speaking, it can be taken either way. Surely one of the US's earliest enemy *was* Great Britain (again, not England) due to the American Revolution? That GB and the USA later formed an alliance - militarily and economically (GB being more free-market than almost all European nations) - will never change the fact that the one of the fledgling US's first enemies was GB.

But, of course, it's wrong to say that "England" (again, GB) is an enemy of the USA these days; you correctly say that one of the US's chief allies is GB (again, not England.)

Of course, if we took the Revolutionary War to determine who is the US's oldest ally, one of the key names would be... France!

But, the key point is... what does any of this have to do with 22 guys on a football pitch? :D

I remember that blowhard saying that Iran vs. the USA a few years ago was the "mother of all football matches." No, son, that's only if you care about politics more than football. Perhaps the real mother of all football matches would be Real Madrid beating Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3 in the European Cup Final in 1960 or something, but certainly not two middle-of-the-road international sides in a 1-0 match, regardless of off-pitch affairs.

[Kel Varnsen]

Could your friend please explain how on earth "England" stood alone against Hitler?

I realise it was illustrative of a point, but that is a truly massive disservice to the many other nations and individuals who fought the Axis Powers, including those of the United Kingdom as a whole, which contains four nations; not just England. Add to that the French and latterly Free French, several British Empire nations, much of Northern Europe, Greece, Yugoslavia, the Soviets and the others who intervened before Pearl Harbour. Then those nations that joined after Pearl Harbour; many of those also did their utmost in the European theatre, not least the USA.

Anyway...

I appreciate the moral of your article, if not the boneheaded words of your friend. It's best to take the teams on their merits and not for their politics. It's difficult sometimes. I fully admit that I'm uncomfortable with supporting Saudi Arabia, as I find the leaders of that country to be awful. However, I know that isn't the fault of the players, some of whom may not share their leaders' views. They, like every other team at the tournament, consist of a team of players wanting to do their very best on the football pitch. They should not be treated as cultural ambassadors. They are sportsmen. They may be proud of their country, but they do not embody its politics. They may be of the nation, but they may not be of the state.

In the end, though, the Saudis were woeful and quite dull to watch to boot, so my mind was made up for me.

I wanted Ecuador to win because England winning the world cup will mean a lifetime of constant reminders through the "great" British media, not to mention that they are quite overrated and their midfield is painful to watch (so much talent, so poorly utilised.)

However, the distinct lack of urgency during the 90 minutes had me disgusted with the Ecuadorians. They went out of the tournament with a whimper. They weren't even plucky underdogs. Underdogs try.
I think the person originally quoted meant Great Britain or, more to the point, the British Empire with England at its head. Although incorrect, England is often referenced as a stand in for Great Britain or the United Kingdom.

And GB did basically "stand alone" for a short while the AEF was defeated in France and expulsed from the Continent. The Soviets were German allies for a short while, the Greeks were providing resistance while "Northern Europe" did not provide much resistance. Finland was allied with Germany, Sweden was "neutral" and Norwegian and Danish resistance did not last long as British efforts to liberate Norway similarly failed.

But this is a huge digression [which I have admittedly added to]: What was up with Marco Van Bastard? Where the hell was Van Nistlerooy? I picked The Netherlands to win it all but I did this assuming one of the world's best strikers would be on the pitch. Was he hurt? Did I miss a news report?

[nach0king]

I think the person originally quoted meant Great Britain or, more to the point, the British Empire with England at its head. Although incorrect, England is often referenced as a stand in for Great Britain or the United Kingdom.

Yeah, and, as a Scot, it's a great annoyance to hear it :)

And GB did basically "stand alone" for a short while the AEF was defeated in France and expulsed from the Continent. The Soviets were German allies for a short while, the Greeks were providing resistance while "Northern Europe" did not provide much resistance. Finland was allied with Germany, Sweden was "neutral" and Norwegian and Danish resistance did not last long as British efforts to liberate Norway similarly failed.

Belgium and the Netherlands fell too but some did resist. Yes, it's all true enough, from what little I've read, Denmark and Norway fell very quickly, but I don't think that invalidates the efforts of those who *did* form a part of the resistance, however ineffective they turned out to be. All countries aren't equal in that regard, of course not, but each person who fought for their country surely is?

Similarly, just because England is by far the largest constituent part of the United Kingdom, it doesn't make it any less annoying to hear Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (as well as, I suppose, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands etc.) being left out of any historical discussion. Even though I support Scottish independence, the history of GB - WW2 included - contains in it much of Scottish importance; same for the Welsh and the Northern Irish.

But this is a huge digression [which I have admittedly added to]: What was up with Marco Van Bastard? Where the hell was Van Nistlerooy? I picked The Netherlands to win it all but I did this assuming one of the world's best strikers would be on the pitch. Was he hurt? Did I miss a news report?

Kuyt was picked in his favour. Kuyt, on last night's showing, is rubbish. I hadn't seem him play much, except the odd highlight reel here and there, but I'm wondering how on earth he's in the squad, let alone the first eleven, for such a vital game. (Makaay didn't make the squad, remember: what would HE have done last night?)

Van Nistelrooy might well have come on had it not been for the other substitution that had to be made in light of the first Dutch sending-off. That was probably out of MVB's control. But MVB might well be ruing his decision to pick Kuyt in the first place.

[ElasticNorseman]

Re: actually, they're our oldest enemy.


Oh yeah, because dozens of countries were prepared to pile into Iraq behind the US - all on the false whim of George W.

Muppet.


sorry - forgot the smilie - this was a referenece to the Revolutionary war....

[SankaCofie]

actually, they're our oldest enemy.

I hate the English. They are always oppressing me. Why just yesterday I was forced to shoot an English tax-collector at my doorstep. At least I think he was an English tax collector, he may have been a FedEx employee or a Jehovah's Witness.

I don't really dislike England as a team, the way I dislike say Italy. But sometimes you look at an accumulation of talent and you almost want to give them the cup the way the Oscars gave an oscar to Sean Penn.

Unfortunately... with Brazil... Argentina... Portugal... Spain... and til yesterday Holland... there were too many teams with stacked lineups to be able to do that this time around.

[usfooty7]

I spent the first half of the match in a room full of England fans and it reminded me why I detest the England football team - I never had a good time around these abrasive fans. I left to save my eardrums and felt sorry for the Ecuador fan who called Rooney "babyface" at one point...

Ecuador did play some pretty game in the first 3 games - I'm sorry they couldn't get their game together for this one.

[SankaCofie]

same reason I love concacaf teams and conmebol teams. our fans.. except maybe down in mazatenango... are generally much friendlier fun-loving type people.

Rooney is a divey whiney bitch though.

[Buddha]

France is our oldest ally. England is our oldest enemy.

[frshhh]

I just wanted to say that all the anti-English sentiment on these boards is pathetic.

This is football, not politics.

Keep your xenophobic views to yourself.