I'm afraid I'm a bit footballed out. I did enjoy the England-Slovenia game and of course I'm glad they won and have gone through to the next round, but I'm also quite glad there's no longer a 12:30 match every day, and there are some football free days coming.
It's been another strange time in the tournament though, with Italy (the reigning champions) going out bottom of their group and New Zealand also going out, but not bottom of their group and unbeaten! How impressive is that! Add to that the snub from the French coach towards the S African coach by refusing to shake his hand at the end of their game, and an Algerian player slapping a journalist as he left the pitch. True sportsmen?
I now know where I stand on the boo-ing question. I don't think it's acceptable. Aren't football fans fickle? In fact, I'm surprised they dare call themselves supporters. When the team's doing badly they turn against them and badmouth them, only truly supporting them when they're doing well. That's completely back to front. It's so basic to know that the time when support is most needed is when things are at their worst, or are a struggle. When you're on top, or at least managing to show your potential you can cope better with being undermined (but why do it anyway). When you already know you're underperforming or not meeting expectations you don't need to be further demoralised. So, lets hope their "supporters" manage to get behind the team properly through the next stages and help the team do their best.
And now a bit of light relief - some very short videos created by children in a World Cup "spin-off" project. I hope they make you smile as they did me;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8742633.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8755233.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8755249.stm
That's exactly how I feel about booing. Anyone would think we were related.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, good post, BOOOOOOOOOO.