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Sunday, July 11, 2010

World Cup Finals




World Cup Finals -This is The One!

As I write this, it is the morning of Sunday, July 11, 2010. Today is the finals of the Football World Cup. Holland has been here before, twice, as a bridesmaid, but never the bride. Spain has never come this far before. Paul, the octopus predicts that Spain will win. Holland has played all of its games like the champions they are, having won them all. Spain lost their very first game against Switzerland who played that one like clockwork precision. Spain has awakened and pulled their act together.

I am writing this as a person who had absolutely no interest at all in the beautiful game, with the exception of the current situation. I live in Spain. There are no persons in Spain who are not interested in how this match will end.

July is one of the months during which many fiestas take place across the country. I would like to see Spain win, if for no other reason but to experience the sheer joy and celebrations that would move the usual fiestas filled with fun, up several levels to total ecstasy. Should Spain lose, then we’ll just have to be content with ordinary fun in July.

The preparation for today has been that lots of people have bought their Spanish football shirts and bandanas, and their vuevuezelas. The expectation is that during the game the streets will be absolutely deserted; all schedules have already been realigned. Medical operations have been re-scheduled, for the benefit of both medical staff and patients; the prisons have setup large screen tv’s, as have most city centres. Movie theatres are showing the game, and the air is thick with anticipation.

There is no financial crisis that is being worried about. People who are out of work are not worrying about how they will pay their bills, or even from where their next meal will come. Thieves will take a holiday during the game, but they may have stolen your television. This will be an exercise in a whole country sucking in its breath and holding it until Spain has won the match. The exhale could be of gale force proportion.

Those of us in Spain love Holland, so it will not be a personal thing that our team is determined to win. I think we shall remain friends, but I believe Holland could live with that better than being beaten by their close neighbour.

Today, a new champion will be declared. Let it be Spain!

Copyright © 2010 Eugene Carmichael