Dateline
JULY 11, 2010
Netherlands vs Spain
Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
Place watched: KC Live, Power & Light District, Kansas City MO
“You’re on the front line
Everyone’s watching
You know it’s serious
We’re getting closer
This isn’t over
…
Waka waka eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa”
- Shakira (from the song ‘Waka Waka (this Time For Africa)’ written for the 2010 World Cup)
Today began as most days do in Kansas City: brilliant sunshine, followed by a torrential rain, immediately followed by sunshine again. Despite the warm temperatures and 110% humidity, I made my way back to Kansas City Live at the Power & Light District – as seen on ABC / ESPN promos – where a fairly good-sized gathering was ramping up to view the final.
Being an impartial observer to this match was a unique situation for this fanista. Traditionally, I always choose one side or another to vociferously cheer on to victory. My allegiance may be based on geography, familiarity with the contestants, rooting for a significant under-dog, or just the fact that I prefer the color black over the color red and will get a tattoo stating this before going to Vegas to shout at the side of a roulette wheel. Sometimes, my allegiance is swayed for completely arbitrary reasons. Perhaps one team has a better-looking crest than the other side, or is sponsored by adidas versus another sportswear company. It could be anything, really. On this day, however, I had no loyalty (real or contrived) to either nation or team.
To many people, crazy hairstyles and bad facial hair characterize the World Cup, but to me, it is also about soccer. Sure, I have a wacky hairstyle and I decided to grow a really bad mustache during the 31 days in 2010, but the most enduring legacy actually takes place on the field. I think a lot of folks around the world forget that. The World Cup symbolizes epic struggles between nations, the indomitable spirit of the people of Spain, and the resilience of the Dutch… against the evil empire of England where the officiating crew originated.
Once again it seemed like sub-par officiating helped decide the final. Cheap yellow cards and a yellow where a red should be cast a pall on the match. I suppose it all evened out when John Heitinga was sent off for a second yellow when his first was really harsh; because perhaps Mark Van Bommel and certainly Nigel de Jong should have drawn straight red cards for violent challenges.
In the end, the result was fair. Spain won in extra time on a tremendous strike by Andres Iniesta. Both sides had good scoring chances, but Spain were clearly the better side. ¡Viva España!
http://www.jimmyconrad.com/blog/4105
