Finally it is over.
In Europe, finally life returns to normality .
After my return from the US, the topic of all conversations with my colleagues at work sooner or later ended up around soccer. And of course, since this is England where I am, the English team was the center of attention in these conversations.
On Spiegel Online, there are several very interesting articles by Thomas Huetlin, a German reporter who lives in London: I could very well identify with his views of a German living in England, sharing his impressions on Spiegel Online (in German). So here, I use this opportunity to share my comments.
The game Germany vs. Italy: I watched at the home of my German friend Falk. Although it seems almost like high treason, I have to admit that I found that the Italian team played a bit stronger, at least in the beginning. Later the German team pressed on, but then the unfortunate (well, "fortunate" if you are at the other side) goals by the Italians determined the game. These were actually brilliant shots, against which Lehman who had been excellent throughout the game, could not do anything. Of course, very admirable also was the capability of the Italian players in general, after they had gone down through a foul or had fallen down for any reason: their falls were quite artistic, with saltos, they could have participated in any gymnastics championship. Then the fall, the face expressing horrendeous pain, and the quick glance to the referee to see what he decides. Then the hurried getting up and running so to catch up with the continuing game - quite a masterful skill on display here! :)
Actually, the Argentinian team and the Portugese team are close rivals to the Italians in that respect, but the Italians are really the masters.
The previous game Germany vs. Portugal. The sympathy of the English people I met was clearly on the side of Germany... although this was quite a thing to swallow for the English to have to root for Germany... but after that last game of their team they definitely could not root for Portugal.
The German coach Klinsmann: after loosing against Italy, he considered stepping down. I think (and so does everyone I know, and most media pundits in Germany) that he did a superb job, and that he should stay. He has made a new team, and has guided that young team to excellence, something that nobody expected. He has shown a very courteous attitude, towards other teams and their coaches. During the game, he is with the team, walking up and down, celebrating with them, applauding a good action, he fires the team on, coordinates from the sides. He has done a superb job in bringing this team up to that level. I remember from past world cups, when the German team just barely made it to the next level, mostly quite undeserved for a mediocre play, just being lucky. This time it was different: for the first time in a long while, the German team actually played good soccer! This is Klinsmann's work.
And I think that his being abroad - in Southern California, to be precise, in Huntington Beach, has contributed to his attitude. He displays the worldly open mind, and he is above internal national league (Bundesliga) politics. He was right to make this choice: to live abroad, and just to come to Germany for the training of the team. And somehow he shows a Southern California spirit: nothing can bring him down, not earthquakes, not floodings, he constantly displays the professional composed attitude, slightly on the friendly side, understanding, aware.
Somehow I also can relate to him, having also absorbed a bit of the Southern California spirit during my 9 years there.
And finally, the game France vs. Italy. Two excellent teams, playing great soccer. Fast actions, a couple of brilliant maneuvers. And what a drama during the extension, when Zidane got the red card... . Well, now Italy is World Soccer Champion.
And I can finally show my normal indifference towards soccer, and towards sports in general, again, without being carried away in actually writing blog entries over soccer matches.... until the next world cup in 2010.
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