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On Football

By Dweep Chanana ⋅ July 5, 2006 ⋅  Email this post ⋅ Post a comment

In the dying moments of extra-time a German fan urged her countrymen to score - “I don’t want to see a penalty shootout”. Minutes later, Italy scored once, then again, sealing Germany’s fate. The German fans, never too boisterous, were stunned stone cold. For a moment I felt defeated too, having supported Germany since Brazil’s defeat.

It is really an experience to be in Europe during the World Cup. More than anything, it is an exercise that reveals national stereotypes.

I spent the first half of the Germany-Italy match standing at the back. Around me were only Italians, the Germans crowding the front half of the open space. The Italian camp was loud and boisterous. The German camp threw up its flag ever so often, but never did I hear them scream. And why were the Italians at the back? Simple reason - because they arrive at the last minute, or possibly even minutes into the start of the game. The Germans, I suspect, had arrived 15 minutes early.

Still, the World Cup it seems marks a turning point for Germany. In German territory during extra-time, a fan explained how the Germans are not used to icons of nationalism. And it was true. Their flags were puny, compared to the view-blocking monsters the Italians brought with them. The painted flags on their cheeks were mere streaks of color, not ostentatious symbols of nationalism. But even this, it appears, is a big move up. This may be the first time since the 2nd World War that the Germans can cheer their country without apology.

Still, the more I see football, the less excited I get. It is an amusing game, but hardly a sport. Having seen Cricket and American football, I cannot imagine how football (soccer), can be termed professional. For in this game, the ability to disrupt play - by faking long bouts of pain and suffering - is as important, as the ability to play. Not 5 minutes would go by before an Italian player would fall to the ground, wreathing in pain at the passing breath of a German opponent. I cannot say it better than this video of Italy’s team practice. Children, all of them!

So, why is soccer not an American sport. My take is that the four seasons already have their games (football, baseball, basketball, and ice hockey). Besides, soccer is a game that does not allow for breaks, which is anathema to the american ad-obsessed viewer. Still, as a passing American explained, soccer’s playacting would never be acceptable to an American sports psyche built on meritocracy and fair play. Not till soccer has replays - our simply does away with fouls.

I may still see the final. Nevertheless, it is great to be here, in Geneva, where every single team has a respectable number of supporters - even Togo or Ukraine. No matter who wins, it will be hard to sleep on July 9th, because there will be plenty of honking in the streets, well into the night.