It all starts with the simplicity of a ball. A round inflated object, kicked with skill and finesse, forms the singular focus of the teams.The German photographer Jens Heilmann has photographed a match ball from each world cup tournament so far. He tracked down the balls and photographed them against a black background with diffuse lighting to let their shape and texture and scuffs from the game they were used in speak.
I must confess a totally irrational approach to the world cup. My first memories of being hooked were breathlessly reading about the 1982 final when Italy beat Germany in Spain thanks to a man called Paoli Rossi. Front page news on the very black and white Times of India. Having a German mother - and no access to TV - and actually not much exposure to football - all I could do was imagine it in my head.
In later years I managed to get some eyeball time in - with the 1986 tournament memorably watched in great detail at odd hours over the summer holidays in Mussoorie. And so on - usually at odd hours the TV showing breathtaking flowing moves by a new crop of marvels every four years. And at the end one team kissing the cup.
My personal world cup highlight was watching the pre-quarterfinals in Boston in 1994 when Nigeria took on Italy. We were in raptures when Nigeria opened the scoring with a beautiful set of moves - only to see Roberto Baggio bring Italy back with an equaliser in the 89th minute and then take Italy to the next level with a penalty overtime. The beauty and the agony of the game. And to actually be there in the stands - waving my Indian flag (no Nigerian one handy - and no hope that India will reach this level in my life-time at least). Too good.
Another thing I learned from the US world cup. American commentators are horribly boring as they drown you in statistics. We switched over to the Spanish commentators - and though we did not understand a thing. You have to hear the excitement they expressed in their bubbling words every time some touched a ball. And should the ball go through the posts - then we hear the amazing GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!
So here we go again. One month of football. How many slices of green will I be able to get in? I don't know since we don't have a TV. But there are always our sports-loving neighbours (all three other flats on our floor have young men who love the beautiful game).
The whistle will blow. The sweat will flow. The vuvuzelas will blow. The beautiful game will show. Ole!
Andi - hope things are going well for you. We, too, are excited about the World Cup. I also will try to watch as many games as possible on our local Spanish channel. Though my command of the Spanish language is shoddy, at best, I find myself drawn into the game by the commentary. Enjoy the next few weeks - My son, who is 7, remarked that after this year, we will probably only get to watch 2 more World Cups before he goes to college. Carpe diem.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave!
ReplyDeleteI think we need to get our 7 year old sons together for a game of footie too!
To think of our kids and college in one thought boggles the mind - but there we have it - tempus fugit!
Would love to meet you and the family one of these days - any chances of y'all swinging by this side of the pond?
We would love to head that direction some time - would there be any short-term missions/volunteer opportunities in your area, either with your ministry or another? Not sure how eyecare is over there, but I've done a couple of eye clinics in Honduras and could possibly do something along those lines if it would be needed. We could also do any other sort of work needed (working with kids, etc.). Talk to you soon.
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