Just over 24 hours to go. Not to go to Togo. Just to go.
Though I care nothing for foul-mouthed Rooney's return, the Flea has made his interests that way known as has Nicholas and...not many others. I am still trying to figure out why this lowest level of interest. And, for the first game, while it would be nice if Costa Rica pulled on out of the hat, the World Cup is going to start with a crushing Germany victory...and nobody really likes that.
Yet it is vital to have a team you want to lose as much as one you want to have win if you are going to be partisan. So let's look at the teams I am backing for the proper, natural...no, healthy reasons and see if there is a natural healthy hated rival for each:
Rank | Team | Why | Rival | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Holland | Worked There '86 | Germany | Obvious |
| #2 | Poland | Worked There '91 | Germany | Obvious |
| #3 | USA | I See It From Here | ? | I Don't Know Everything |
| #4 | Brazil | They Good | Everyone | They'll Beat Everyone |
This is good. Sort of a 2.5 factor leading me to naturally and healthily dislike Germany. Plus their goalie looks like a Panzer tank operator.
I'm really starting to dig my logo. Remember - daily World Cup chat starts tomorrow.
Comments
Mike - June 8, 2006 10:04 AM
I believe the tank is parked, as Jens is starting.
Hans - June 8, 2006 10:40 AM
I've never liked the German team; they never seem to have any flash plus the black and white uniforms are kinda blah. I can't cheer for Brazil since their the favorites. I always like the African sides, but I need to see the unis and the players to get a good sense of which team from Africa has the most going for it. England kinda strike me as the Toronto Maple Leafs of World Cup football: They are often among the favorites, the have a legion of loyal fans and they never seem to pull it off. And like the Leafs, I have to cheer against them in order to maintain the mystique of "Next time, surely..." I also can't cheer for Sweden due to my Danish heritage and Denmark is not there this time. European teams usually win in Europe and therefore I have picked Holland to win. Also, I like the full orange outfits. Plus, they have never won. Some other outsiders I could stand to see win are Spain and Portugal. And a dark horse like Mexico would be fun to see win.
Today's Guardian has the picks of local PEI soccer minds like Vince Mulligan and John Hassan. Plus, Nick Murray has a weekly World Cup column on Wednesdays.
Flea - June 8, 2006 11:18 AM
As long as Germany does not win I can find a way to live with the result. Or France. Or Argentina.
Flea - June 8, 2006 12:29 PM
World Cup Team Flea!
Alan - June 8, 2006 1:49 PM
What a extraordinary link to Team Flea, the effect of which at the workplace was certainly surprising and potentially cumbersome for those of you situated in a certain situation situation-wise. I make absolutely no comment otherwise except to note the absence of any orange fabric amongst the absence of all that other fabric.
cm - June 8, 2006 2:03 PM
Do I dare...?
cm - June 8, 2006 2:04 PM
Note to self: no clicking on Flea links.
gr - June 8, 2006 3:40 PM
At least it wasn't Flea in his little Speedo. Thank heaven for small mercies.
Declan - June 8, 2006 5:27 PM
The difference between England and The Leafs is that England haven't won since 1966, while the Leafs won in 1967. Advantage Leafs. (we'll ignore the every 4 years bit)
I expect a close game between Germany and Costa Rica, although it will help if Wanchope is fit.
Matt Fletcher - June 8, 2006 6:40 PM
As a rival to the U.S team you could choose Saudi Arabia, Iran, or France all for geopolitical/historical reasons. Or you could choose Mexico, Costa Rica or T&T due to somewhat CONCACAF rivalry (I know the latter two, especially TT are probably not an option).
Flea - June 8, 2006 8:17 PM
I am certain there is a red-blooded audience out there for Team Flea!
Mike - June 9, 2006 8:02 AM
Hmm, Beckham as Darryl Sittler?
David James = Mike Palmeteer
Frank Lampard = Frank Mahovlich
Joe Cole = Inge Hammarstrom
Michael Carrick = Norm Ullman
Wayne Rooney = Wendell Clark
Stevie Gerrard = Errol Thompson
Peter Crouch = CN Tower
'England as Leafs'. Yes, it all makes sense to me now.
gr - June 9, 2006 8:27 AM
Flea, once again you are showing great wisdom. I am certain that the North American audience for the world cup would be greater if there were more (female) supermodels in bikinis. Or forget about the soccer stuff and try the World Cup of Beach Volleyball?
Alan - June 9, 2006 8:31 AM
I note that you type from within 100 of a recent NASCAR venue, no?
Flea - June 9, 2006 10:25 AM
Not a big fan of beach-centric sports as these interfere with beach-related G&T. Plus the sand gets in everything. Thinking more along these lines.
gr - June 9, 2006 11:21 AM
Flea does it again. I have work to do, but the LFL is distracting!
cm - June 9, 2006 11:36 AM
I'm participating in the World Cup pool here at work and thanks to you guys can at least pretend that I know what I'm talking about.
gr - June 9, 2006 3:21 PM
That's right cm, read Gen x at 40 for fun and profit.
2:20pm Friday: I am exhausted and starting to count the minutes till cocktail hour.
Alan - June 9, 2006 3:22 PM
When does the corporate policy of the Potters Guild recognize the bell of the cocktail hour as having struck?
gr - June 9, 2006 3:38 PM
About five Alan, but the question is, which time zone?
cm - June 9, 2006 3:53 PM
Whichever one it hits first. :-)
gr - June 9, 2006 6:05 PM
Why say, five o clock here.
cm, back from Atlanta? Nice to be home? Was it beastly hot there?
cm - June 10, 2006 9:42 AM
Back from Atlanta, yes, and nice to be home, although I do miss the breakfast buffet. I got lucky weatherwise and it was sunny and warm with a bit of a breeze. Almost made up for the beer situation.