The Day Before and the Day of- Part I

Usually, I refuse to watch the play-off for third place. Let’s play to see which loser is worse… How about, let’s not.

This time something different happened. I went to a Brazilian bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  Miss Favella had live music, sweet and beautiful waitresses and delicious food accompanied by strong caprinhas. They also happened to be showing the match.

Okay, fine. I’ll watch it. Just to see if “El Pulpo Paul” (who predicted that Germany would win) would get it right. What the octopus failed to mention from deep inside his tank, was that this would be the most exciting game of the world cup.  I don’t know how he would have coherently communicated this, after all he is only an octopus, but he could have at least tried.

Two of the finest players in this tournament shone like fireflies in what by all predictions ought to have been a boring game. For Diego Forlan (or as I call him, Forlando Torres) this might be the only time he takes Uruguay to such high heights in a World Cup.

He is the only player who has tempered this World Cup ball so that it listens to his foot and follows his trajectory. For all other players the ball has been petulant at best, but for him, it is as obeisant as a Victorian woman.

20 year old, Thomas Muller, winner of the coveted 2010 World Cup Golden Boot as well as Best Young Player Award at the World Cup

Thomas Muller, the young German also shone, and had he not been suspended against Spain in the semi-finals, the World Cup may have had a very different ending. He will no doubt be leading his country to great things in the coming years. I urge him to drop his German allegiance and repatriate to England. I, personally, would ignore all FIFA rules and welcome him with open arms to the England set-up. Germany can take Emile Heskey.

With every goal that went in, and there were a lot of them, I yelled, “El Pulpo Paul, El Pulpo Paul.” I hoped that he was watching too with a slightly smug smile, when, with the last kick of the match Diego Forlan hit the crossbar from a free-kick. Germany had won three- two. He was right.

Miss Favella had everything. Brazilian music, Brazilian women that danced to the music, and even a great game of football. Bring on the 2014 world cup in Brazil. I can’t wait.