Monthly Archive for June, 2010

He missed 3 penalties in one match but never gave up.

Published on June 23, 2010 in Argentina, Celebration, Football and World Cup Finals. 4 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

He missed 3 penalties playing for Argentina against Colombia. He scored a goal in the next game. He broke his leg while celebrating a goal for Villa Real. He scored a goal from inside his own half. His injuries kept him out of football twice for 6 month periods. His 200th goal for Boca Juniors was a 40 yard header which won the game. He scored the last minute winner to put Argentina into the 2010 World Cup. Though he’s only a sub, this 36 year old came last night and scored. His name, Martin Palermo. Never give up what you really believe in, particularly if you believe in your own ability.

Continue reading ‘He missed 3 penalties in one match but never gave up.’

  • Share/Bookmark

We knew we were part of the universe of footballers (Part 2)

Published on June 18, 2010 in Football, South Africa and World Cup Finals. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , .

(Continued from Part 1 where a wonderful BBC World Cup short documentary revealed why football is so important in South Africa). As the Robben Island prisoners’ football league, the Makana Football Association, blossomed, the imprisoned players realised how important football was to them (for reasons that will surprise you).

Continue reading ‘We knew we were part of the universe of footballers (Part 2)’

  • Share/Bookmark

We knew we were part of the universe of footballers (part 1)

Published on June 15, 2010 in Australia, Football, Germany, South Africa and World Cup Finals. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

The World Cup is up and running. Teams are swapping shirts, shaking hands and some nice celebrations (so far the South African’s opening goal celebration is top of the ‘joyous goal scoring celebrations chart’). So far so good. Just a few divers who were publicly shamed in front of worldwide tv audiences as the referees gave them their nice shiney yellow cards. Germany’s Mesut Ozil getting the first yellow card for diving in the opening minutes (8th minute) of their opening game with Australia.

Continue reading ‘We knew we were part of the universe of footballers (part 1)’

  • Share/Bookmark

Where Are The World Cup Sportsmanship Heroes?

Published on June 6, 2010 in Brazil, Cameroon, England, Football, Iran, Mexico and USA. 13 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

As hundreds of millions of us sit down to a feast of football, who will stand out as a real champion of football? Who will light up the World Cup with a smile (remember Pele’s smile) instead of a raging roar of aggression? Or maybe a dance (Peter Crouch’s Robot Dance or the 42 year old Cameroonian Roger Milla’s samba with the corner flag)? Or perhaps the unbridled joy of youth will let Nigeria’s 19 year old revelation, Haruna Lukman, simply celebrate the fun, excitement and joy of playing in the world’s best competition?

Continue reading ‘Where Are The World Cup Sportsmanship Heroes?’

  • Share/Bookmark