GOOAL!!!

In the past few years, I have not followed sports. I am someone who gets very emotionally involved in the teams for which I route, and it has not always been a healthy pursuit.... particularly since my teams usually lose. However, in the past few weeks I have been sucked into the madness that is the World Cup.

I first became interested in this spectacle 4 years ago after seeing the passion of my good friend Julien as he routed for "Les Bleus" from his native France. Unfortunately, they lost in the final to the Azzurri (Italy's national team) after the great Zinedine Zidane was unceremoniously sent off the pitch after a brutal head-butt penalty that earned him a red-card, or expulsion. Such is the drama that invariably accompanies each World Cup.

The first compelling story of this year's World Cup was definitely the United States. In their first match, they tied the once mighty English. They tied Slovenia in their second match, which should have been a victory had it not been for a disallowed, legitimate U.S. goal. Next, they came back to beat Algeria in dramatic fashion in stoppage time, which allowed the U.S. to win it's group. Ghana, however, ended the U.S. run in the round of 16.

There have been other amazing stories in this Cup, but few rival the talent-ridden, predestined victors Brasil and the triumphant march of the Ghanaians. Today, I went to my friend Brooks' house at 7 AM after doing everything in my power to ensure that Kathleen, single-handedly, would be able to get the kids out the door and to school before going to work. The Brasil match started off great with a beautiful goal from Robinho, and it appeared that the Brasilians, who had never lost after leading at the half, were on their way. However, it was not to be, and the Netherlands mounted a furious comeback that saw the Brasilians collapse mentally and emotionally. It was like Jack chopping down the bean stalk. Afterwards, I felt empty and in a daze.

In the second quarterfinal match, Ghana, the only African team remaining in contention, played a spirited and bold game against Uruguay. In the 120th minute, Ghana had 2 chances at close range. The last chance was knocked out intentionally by the hand of a Uruguayan player standing at the goal line. This left the hopes and dreams of the continent on the foot of the young Ghanaian star, Asamoah "Baby Jet" Gyan. He, uncharacteristically, missed the penalty kick, which sent the match into the penalty kick phase for both teams. There, Ghana faltered, and my heart (what was left of it) along with the hearts of an entire continent and beyond was broken again for the second time in a mere 5 hours.

Few things in life arouse as much feeling and passion as sport, and the World Cup brings out the penultimate emotions. The Cup only comes around every 4 years, and the hopes of young (and old) kids alike and entire countries and continents all rest on the feet (and Uruguayan hands, it would seem) of 11 men who have come together to do battle and who never cease to amaze their fans... and sometimes themselves.

The official ball for this year's World Cup (shown above) is called Jabulani, which means "rejoice" or "bring joy and happiness" in Zulu. While I am heartbroken today, the final act of this Cup has not yet been written. Whatever the outcome, football will always be a beautiful game for me, and I will be reminded of this Cup everytime I kick around the official World Cup Jabulani ball, which I ordered last week, with "Bear" Alumkal (aka Nicholas- his choice and not mine) and Cate "Baby Jet" Alumkal, her new nickname.

For now, the pitch is closed!