Home »

[Odler]

At the end of a dramatic duel whose conclusion brought tears to my eyes and to the eyes of millions, South Korea, coming back from under, kicked three-time champion, Italy, out of the World Cup. Another case of David and Goliath. ?Guus Hindick for President? read a Korean banner, referring to their Dutch coach. May I vote? (NB: the President in exercice was in the stadium).

Out of last week?s 16 teams, 8 are gone, 8 are left standing. 56 games were played, 8 are left. Who will be champion? Still, nobody in the world has a treat idea?

The Italian Squadra Azzura joins at the early terminus the new victims of the most democratic World Cup ever. It is in company of Mexico, Japan and Sweden. Eight games, four upsets. How many more will we have to attend to?

Usually, at this phase of the Cup, tradition and hierarchy are respected. Therefore, the final four should be: Brazil, Germany, Turkey, and Spain. Three European teams and one South American team as usual, since 1974.

But since in the new millennium, tradition and hierarchy are replaced by disrespect for elders and complete chaos (delightful for the fans), what about having the last square made of South Korea (Asia), Brazil (South America), Senegal (Africa) and U.S.A (ConCaCaF)? That would look like a real World Square! Oops! What about Europe in there? Well, never mind?

In fifteen hours, Brazil plays England. This is the first serious game for Brazil since the beginning of the tournament. It will play out like a Cup final. I don?t see that whimsical team winning against Beckman and Owen?s determination. But, you never know.

Frantz Beckenbauer predicted yesterday that Brazil will affront Germany in the June 30 final. Wrong.

Wrong because if you want something NOT to happen is this Cup, you just have to predict it (That is why I don?t relent on predicting that Senegal and Brazil will lose). Wrong because curiously Brazil and Germany have never met in a World Cup; never! Why would it happen this year.

Wrong because the U.S, on Friday, will? Let me shut up!

http://www.jeanlouie.com/

(OdlerRobert Jeanlouie, Tuesday, June 18, 2002)