Final Reflections on the World Cup

As the World Cup has drawn to a close, there is a gaping hole left in my life. I'm not quite sure what to do with those hours of watching, reading about it, mentally preparing, sweating to death in Les Vernets during the England and Argentina matches, watching videos, and of course talking about it, per day that I've put in over the last month. And so here are my parting thoughts on the past month (even if they can never compare to these: http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/3102/opinion/2010/07/13/2023081/the-best-worst-of-the-2010-world-cup):

1. My new soccer loves. I thought I was over the period in my life where I pick favorite athletes for their looks. I've never had a celebrity crush on anyone other than an athlete, but when I get them it's bad. And since that first one (Sven Hannawald, 2002-2005, probably the only German athlete I've ever supported to that extent, all the other ones somehow are not German), none have been so bad, I at least can claim that I love them for the sport. But with each major soccer tournament, new ones arise (what can I say, every girl has a type and for me its soccer players). This one: Xabi Alonso and Iker Casillas. I've somehow reverted to my teenage self and have spent hours watching youtube videos of them recently. At least I like Spain, they both play for Real along with my first soccer love, Kaka (World Cup 2006 began that craze), and thus I can support them on both teams. And damn they look good with that World Cup trophy. If it couldn't be Germany...

2. If Jogi leaves, I will be utterly, utterly heartbroken. Best thing to happen to German soccer in a long time. And I love him. So much. And why yes, I do in fact check google news about every 3 minutes to see if he's made a decision yet. They really need some sort of liveticker for this suspense.

3. Injuries suck. Still upset about my fave German soccer player, Miro Klose (World Cup 2002, yes I go back that far, though admittedly then it had nothing to do with looks) not being able to at least have the chance to beat Ronaldo's record. I've hated Ronaldo since that 2002 final.

4. How on earth do they pick these referees? 9 yellow cards for the Netherlands, but only one red? De Jong deserved a red card so badly, and I'm not just saying that because of my love for Xabi. On the other hand, some cards were a bit harsh. And there was definitely a corner for the Netherlands there at the end. Honestly, it's just the cap of a horrific tournament of reffing decisions, including the goal that wasn't of Bloemfontein. Honestly, are there no standards anymore? Instant replay technology now please.

5. Diego Maradona may have been a great player, but he's no tactician. A team needs to play together, it doesn't help having world class players if the defense, midfield, and offense don't communicate or play together. Then not even Messi helps.

6. France never ceases to amuse. Does this World Cup top the whole 'French military victories' on google trick? Yes, yes it does. It really should be added to that list. 'World Cup 2010: The French national team fails to win a match, star player curses out utterly insane coach, team stands behind player who is sent home by utterly insane coach, refuse to show up to practice, almost forfeit match. French president, desperately trying to regain some importance in world politics, intervenes. FIFA threatens French president. French president stands down.'

7. Diego Forlan deserves the golden ball for singlehandedly being a team (even if I really would have liked Basti to win it). Really, where there other players on the Uruguay team (other than the ridiculous Suarez of course)?

8. Ok, so we managed to lose to Serbia but at least our Eurovision songs produce good knockoffs.
I don't actually like Lena, but this is good:
Serbia has this guy:
Please note that this is not my actual great take away from the World Cup, but once upon a time we did lose to Serbia, barely beat Ghana, and everyone was predicting our demise. It's hard to imagine now that before the World Cup, everyone was writing off Germany.
My true point to this one is though that against Serbia we were not particularly well organized or effective. Organization and effectivity is key. Unless of course you're Spain and no player has a set position and you create tons of goal chances and then score once per game and still manage to win the Cup.

9. Paul the Octopus is still silly. Yes, it may have picked everything right, but all it has to do is eat a mussel and for that it's a global sensation. It only had a 70% success rate at the Euro Cup, it's not magic. That being said, I really hope Paul picks Germany to win all it's games next time around...oh, I see he's retired. Damn it. Quit while you're ahead, Paul, quit while you're ahead.

10. I'm super excited to see what the future of German soccer holds, this team is dynamic, fun, efficient, has spirit, and is no longer the team of old. Let's hope it lasts. And for that I firmly believe we need Jogi.


With that being said, I can't forget the World Cup, and I will continue to play soccer songs on my ipod for at least the next week. Having watched almost every game, and the ones that I didn't viewed on live ticker, it's hard to give something up. There's a strong reason for why I have such an emotional connection to this tournament. The World Cup is much more than a sporting event for me, it's a way of life.

Why? Well, other than the soccer, the last World Cup in Germany is what made me fall in love with my country and my city. Before that, I didn't really know Munich well, and it is through those many tours we gave that I really got to know it and love it. It's also what convinced my parents that we should own a home there again. My heart now belongs to Munich so much that it's hard to remember life before then, even if it was only four short years ago. Before that World Cup, I honestly didn't identify myself with Germany that much. I loved it, and it was my home, sure, but it was more a place I came on vacations, and I had almost started accepting that I was practically an American. I wasn't proud to be German before then either. That World Cup gave me a sense of belonging, the face that Germany showed the world made me proud to be German, and for the first time since I'd moved to the US I knew that that was where my heart belonged. Now, four years later, it's still the height of patriotism for me, and having that revitalized makes me realize that it wasn't just a spell. With that, it's been an amazing four weeks in South Africa. Can't wait for Euro 2012!