Thursday, July 17, 2014

FIFA - 2014

Who is Fifa? Fufa's wife? This was the kind of knowledge I have had about Football until 2014. Remember Achan waking up at night keeping alarm to watch the match - and people around talking about it and bursting crackers. Half the neighborhood appeared to be a great Fan of Brazil or Argentina.

Yes, I did win a context in 1998 on who would be the FIFA winner, and I had predicted France; not because I understood the matches but because I liked their goalkeeper. But here I had in 2014 memories of my Father; our German Boss and mother in office who made me interested in the game and finally support - Germany.



The first every full match that I had watched in my life was the semi-finals between Germany and Brazil - an incredible one - which nobody had thought of 7-0. Not a semi final kind of - But there were many things to learn and I started loving the game. When more than half of the football loving people were supporting Brazil, here was me cheering for Germany..Though felt sorry for the host - they had injured their star player Neymar and Thiago Silva was suspended from the Semi finals so they had become a weaker team; and Germans were indeed very strong. The game was all one sided.

Then there was the next semi - finals between Argentina and Netherlands. Heart was with Holland - oranges but mind said Argentina - Messi was the star player loved by all. Wanted the Oranges to win last world cup, but they had not- In fact they had never won a world cup. Contrary to the first Semi - This turned out to be a very tough one with the game moving to the penalty after extra time and Argentina did it.

Then came the finals - All figures crossed- Fantastic game - Ball by ball, pass by pass, foul by foul, miss by miss. Seems my Germany completed all the quota of their goals against Brazil during the normal time and Argentina - So many misses - Messi needed to be recharged - something obviously wrong there.

The German coach was really cool, the way he spoke to the team, hugged the boys and tried to motivate them quitely. We would just see them winning. And there was the Argentina's coach - about to retire, tensed, and trying to always guide and instruct the team walking around. Amazing Goal Keepers.

Into the extra time most of us hoped the game would not end in penalty shots and wished that something really happened. Last few minutes of the game left and Yogi was outrageous because Schweinsteiger needed help - he was bleeding - was the match turning into wrestling - when in the beginning people were hugging each other?

Finally Gotze scored a Goal in the last five minutes. The end was like a thriller fingures crossed. Unsure if Argentina would score a goal and my TV showing grains and getting switched off...OMG this is it! All cry - of joy or sorrow! - Hugs & Kisses - So cute.

As always my heart would go out to the losers and their crying heart. I felt bad for them first for Brazil, then for Netherland and now for Argentina. But that is part of the game!



Finally Germany is very happy and proud! With Gotze being the happiest guy in the world at that moment - whole country cherishing the moment of pride - First in the Unified Germany since 1990 - First by an European team in America - Their 4th start and much deserved!! 5,00,000 people were celebrating together in Berlin watching the match.





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