(photograph © Kiwidutch)
The Netherlands has reached the World Cup Semi-Finals… today in South Africa, Uruguay met the Netherlands at 20.30 and only one of them can secure a place in the final.
Once again this means that two nations will be sitting on the edge of their seats, having heart palpitations at very near miss (no matter which end of the field the ball is) and shouting themselves hoarse if their side scores a goal…
Some will be shouting at their TV sets, telling the players their mistakes, berating the referee for every decision they disagree with.
Some will be muttering tensely “come one, come on“ though clenched fists… some will be hardly daring to look, but wouldn’t miss it for the world, and someone somewhere will be attempting to explain the Off Side Rule, to someone else who didn’t get it before the explanation and who also doesn’t after it.
On Sofas everywhere someone will be telling someone else that they hate the buzzing noise of the vuvuzelas … and someone’s guaranteed to be raging about the choice of players put onto the field, the positions that they are playing in, the greatness or ineptitude of the coach, disputed goals, yellow cards, red cards, the new ball, penalty shootouts and finally the weather.
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
Football is drama, suspense, mystery, thriller, action, and sometimes can be also crime, comedy, (mis)-adventure, a small war and horror… These are all tied up in the love -hate romance we have with the “Beautiful Game”.
It’s a bit like politics then isn’t it?
The silly part about football is that for both side it usually ends in tears: one the tears of joy and victory and the other of frustration, disbelief and sadness.
People get emotionally attached, for better or worse our support gives us attacks of stomach churning nerves, raised blood pressure and sweaty palms.
Then why on earth do we do it?
How can we bear to watch and put ourselves hough this?
That’s a hard question to answer if as the person requiring a response you are not a Football Fan and cares nothing for the game… and one that doesn’t require an answer if you are a fan and do.
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
It’s in your blood, it’s beauty personified, it’s the smooth and skillful movement of the ball between players that looks easy but isn’t. It’s poetry in motion when the game is played right, when players are on form, when both teams are giving their all and doing it fairly and well.
Ok … in this respect it’s not like politics then.
… It’s also a slow agonizing death which would not be out of place on any operatic stage if these elements do not come together.
Hopefully today we get the former scenario and not the latter… and that’s why millions of Dutch and Uruguay fans will be watching the match tonight, dreaming, hoping, praying, yelling, … supporting.
That’s also why billions more around the world will also be watching.. their hands will be far less sweaty than ours, but they will be cheering the team of their choice, moaning and sighing at the missed chances on goal, screaming in joy at the television if their team scores and generally enjoying the atmosphere and camaraderie that events like the World Cup generates.
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
One thing is for sure.. the streets of Uruguay and The Netherlands will fall eerily silent at about 8.30 pm this evening, traffic volume will fade to microscopic, many shops who might otherwise have been open will be closed, and any left open will be sparely staffed.
People will meet in Bars, Pubs, areas with Big Screens, party’s put on especially so that large groups can watch the game… but many more will be entertaining at home, apartments, gardens, living rooms… with family, with friends, over informal buffet meals, snacks and drinks.
Places of work that must continue service will probably have a television or radio or computer with internet on somewhere in a spot where people can just “happen by” and hear the score… the state of play.
Naturally the Dutch supporters are still out in force… if you can’t tune into the match then at least enjoy the photos !
For more photos related to this try these links: http://kiwidutch.wordpress.com/2010/07/03/new-36/ and http://kiwidutch.wordpress.com/2010/07/02/new-33/
(and Pie… you will surely appreciate several of these photos very much… I’ve posted them especially for you LOL)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
The long banner says ” ??? in Africa” but the first bit definitely isn’t Dutch so it doesn’t make any sense to me at all, the banner on the right says ” Orangje wint W.C. 2010” which translates as “Orange (ie the Dutch) win the World Cup 2010“
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
Another one where you may need your sunglasses…
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
