Category: Sports

World Cup Mad

I’ve been aflutter with excitement for the past several months and now that the FIFA World Cup is almost here, I’ve been immersing myself in research materials in order to win several pools. In the spirit of the current World Cup’s slogan “A Time to Make Friends,” I’m issuing an invitation to join one or all of the following free competitions.

  1. ESPN World Cup Pick’em — In this one, you just pick the winners of each game, and see how your picks match up with mine.
  2. Fantasy Premier League International — In this one, you pick a team of players who play in the English Premier League who are also playing for their countries. Points are awarded for goals, wins, and other things. You can make transfers as well. This one requires a bit more knowledge, but if you do join up, you can join my private league, by searching on the League page for “James Will Win Again” and entering this code: 118660-22710.
  3. McDonald’s/FIFA World Cup Fantasy — Because I’m not obsessed enough to be in two of these things, here’s the official one. Similar to the EPL one, you pick a team of players and can change your roster daily depending on which teams are playing. My group is called “Another Way To Beat James” (Group #22863) and the password is “liverpool”

For entertainment purposes only, I assure you.

If you need to brush up on your footie knowledge, I can recommend two great books. The Thinking Fan’s Guide to the World Cup has chapters on each of the 32 qualified countries, and though it won’t really help you pick the winner, it will give you some background on each of the countries and their football cultures. Contributors include Nick Hornby and Dave Eggers. The Match of the Day Guide to the 2006 World Cup is filled with stats and colour photos and even makes some predictions. Expert commentary from Tottenham Hotspur manager Martin Jol should help, too.

For instant gratification, check out the World Cup Blog. And keep your eye on Runner-Up for some interesting tidbits during the tournament.

P.S. If you want to know just how obsessed I’ve become, I’ve even been eyeing the Panini World Cup sticker album. Only 596 stickers to collect!

Gays Versus Muslims

The Institute of Multicultural Development, a Dutch multicultural group is arranging a soccer match between Muslims and homosexuals. In an effort to combat fears and misconceptions, the two sides will meet on the pitch, and hopefully in the process, come to see each other as human beings.

While I applaud this effort, it does seem a bit strange to bring people together over a competitive sporting activity. For years, I’ve had the idea of bringing some of my fundamentalist Christian friends together with some gay friends (my smart-ass title for the events: Fags and Fundies), but at least over a meal, people have time to talk and there are no winners or losers.

Still, I suppose anything that can bring two groups of misunderstood and misunderstanding people together is a good thing.

P.S. The funniest thing in the Beliefnet story was the organizer’s assurance that gay Muslims can choose either team!

Farewell George Best

The Wedding Present – George Best (1987)

The Wedding Present – George Best (1987)

“I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.” — George Best

Football’s first megastar is laid to rest in Belfast today. I didn’t follow football when George was playing, but I was always intrigued that one of my favourite bands, The Wedding Present, named their first album after him. Alcoholism ruined his life off the pitch, but there was no denying his talent.

P.S. Perhaps I’ll write about this album soon, in my Great Albums series.