What am I doing here? My husband and sons are all football fans but I've resolutely avoided getting drawn in for over 30 years. The last match I went to was between Exeter City and Manchester United at Anfield and I don't even remember when that was.
I did at least know the World Cup was about to start. I was away and anticipating having to seek out French bars screening England games when my family came to join me but am now almost anchored in front of the screen at home with my leg in plaster for the next 6 weeks. Good or bad timing? That remains to be seen. Since the matches are bound to be watched by the rest of the family I might as well see if I can make out why so many people get so passionate about it.
What do I know about it so far?
I did at least know the World Cup was about to start. I was away and anticipating having to seek out French bars screening England games when my family came to join me but am now almost anchored in front of the screen at home with my leg in plaster for the next 6 weeks. Good or bad timing? That remains to be seen. Since the matches are bound to be watched by the rest of the family I might as well see if I can make out why so many people get so passionate about it.
What do I know about it so far?
- It's happening in South Africa.
- It started today, 11th June.
- We're half way through a match between the hosts and Mexico with the score still 0-0. To date, I think I heard the pundits say, the host nation in previous World Cups has never lost the first game and Mexico have never won their opening match, so who is going to win today.
- England play tomorrow.
- The first stage is group games; the second is a knock out.
- England aren't expected to win. That's not my judgement - I don't have any yet - it's what I've gleaned from the family.
- Spain are tipped for success, but didn't I hear that they haven't won before and there's a little clique of countries who've kept the spoils of success to themselves in the past, so it would be going against history.
That's about the extent of my knowledge today. I suppose I'm supporting England. It seems an obvious choice but perhaps the pundits will educate me in due course.
What about the pundits? The presenter, this Adrian Chiles - wasn't he on The One Show? I don't know what his football credentials are but I've never really found him particularly inspiring. Let's wait and see. The other pundits seem a mixed bag. The guy on the left, where did he come from? Didn't recognise his name and certainly can't remember it just now. The one on the right - I think I was told he's Gareth Southgate. At least I recognise the name. But the one in the middle - Marcel Desailly, I'm told - well, what do I say. He's got charisma, speaks well and looks good. Sounds as though he knows something about football too. Maybe I'll warm to them all given time and I may just learn something too.
Wow - South Africa have just scored the first goal of the World Cup. Judging by the comments around me that was an outstanding finish.
Lots of suggestions about what I should put in my blog. I'm ignoring them all. One thing that's clear is that everyone is an expert when it comes to football, especially the armchair supporters watching what the broadcasters choose to show on the screen. Isn't it strange how the world stops for football, even when there were supposedly urgent things to do before and still will be after.
I don't think I've ever experienced even part of a football game that sounds as though it's being played in a beehive. South Africa's secret weapon - it must be scrambling the brains of the Mexico players but if it works, all's fair in love, war and football.
I have to say, it does seem to be a remarkably good natured game and well behaved crowd, but the football isn't really gripping me yet. The scene setting programmes were much more fun, talking to the locals and enjoying the excitement and enthusiasm out there. Maybe I'll get more into it.
Mexico have equalised. It looked like a completely avoidable goal to me. Doesn't take long to become an expert, does it.
Oops. Just turned the television off. It said it would turn itself off if we didn't press a key on the remote. Guess who has control of the remote just now. Well, I'm as clued up about that as I am about football so off it went because I pressed the wrong button - any key doesn't really mean any key, you see.
There's about 3 minutes left to play. Do you think there'll be any other interesting bits about South Africa afterwards, or will it just be analysis of the game - my excitement knows no bounds but it's ...
Oh no - that was a bit exciting - a South African attempt on goal just hit the post and now 3 minutes of injury time. Where did that come from? I didn't see any injuries. The bees are really buzzing now. Perhaps I'll stay for a bit longer.
So that's it. A 1-1 draw, which presumably is a good result for South Africa. I'd really have liked them to win.
I don't think I've ever experienced even part of a football game that sounds as though it's being played in a beehive. South Africa's secret weapon - it must be scrambling the brains of the Mexico players but if it works, all's fair in love, war and football.
I have to say, it does seem to be a remarkably good natured game and well behaved crowd, but the football isn't really gripping me yet. The scene setting programmes were much more fun, talking to the locals and enjoying the excitement and enthusiasm out there. Maybe I'll get more into it.
Mexico have equalised. It looked like a completely avoidable goal to me. Doesn't take long to become an expert, does it.
Oops. Just turned the television off. It said it would turn itself off if we didn't press a key on the remote. Guess who has control of the remote just now. Well, I'm as clued up about that as I am about football so off it went because I pressed the wrong button - any key doesn't really mean any key, you see.
There's about 3 minutes left to play. Do you think there'll be any other interesting bits about South Africa afterwards, or will it just be analysis of the game - my excitement knows no bounds but it's ...
Oh no - that was a bit exciting - a South African attempt on goal just hit the post and now 3 minutes of injury time. Where did that come from? I didn't see any injuries. The bees are really buzzing now. Perhaps I'll stay for a bit longer.
So that's it. A 1-1 draw, which presumably is a good result for South Africa. I'd really have liked them to win.
Now I have an evening off from the football as it's my wedding anniversary so I'll have to catch up on the match between Uruguay and France in retrospect so tomorrow will be busy. I'll be sorry to miss any peripheral stuff about Cape Town which looks like such a fabulous city. Do you think it would be tactless to take my iPhone to dinner tonight so I can watch it on tvcatchup?
Good start, Mum. Good hustle.
ReplyDelete