| somebody's entry on the Guardian:
IrishManInParis
July 10, 2006 09:44 AM
Boulogne-billancourt/fra
In many ways, last night's match was a fitting exit. We should have seen it coming. In France, this year's creative writing essay for the Bac exam (A levels) was the following: "Should one prefer happiness instead of the truth?" Think about this question for a moment.
We had all hoped for a fairytale ending. Zidane scoring the winner, lifting the trophy, people of all social and ethnic backgrounds partying up the Champs Elysees, etc... In the end, the final reflected reality: the bad guys won, Zidane was in fact just a man, we all fell for the hype, business as usual, etc...
This morning radio programmes in France were not surprisingly full of different angles concerning "Zidanegate". Most were gracious. The ones I found most nauseating were the ultra politically correct speeches about the so-called shame of our children being exposed to his violence! Football is a man's sport, there will ALWAYS be tempers flying. I contend that of all the revolting things to expose our children to in this World Cup is the advertising! Advertising is basically about adults with degrees working for massive sponsors then using their "talents" to brainwash impressionable kids into buying overpriced merchandise made by slaves. Sick really. And none of this is an impetuous act like Zidane's head butt. It's carefully studied and executed with great indifference.
In contrast, Zidane gave us all many years of beautiful football. He looked nervous last night. I'm sure the Italian came out with some really serious insult. Maybe Zidane was right? Like Maradona, he ended his career, turfed out of a World Cup to choruses of politically correct sound bites. Ultimately the lesson is this: you can't design your own fairytale swan song. The story of Mankind is to make false Gods then smash them down with sledge hammers. This is what us cavemen love doing.
Italy didn't play well. They were dead and burried after the 45 minute mark. If France are guilty of anything it was not being able to score and finish them off. Italy won the trophy but not the hearts of the world. This victory will certainly be fantastic news for the football corporates who are probably worrying about sticky business back in Italy.
I'm sure last night's street party was great fun for average Italians and that's fair enough. We owe the people of Italy their moment of joy. It would be both petty and wrong to say they didn't "deserve" to win. They won a penalty shoot out. No doubt Italian people were happy to forget their worries and go crazy for a night. But as the dust settles, I believe we'll look at last night's memory very differently. It will be seen as a sad time for football.
Zidane was a great player, a gentleman. I'm personally very proud of him. He is a great Kabil, and when you understand Kabil culture, you will know that honour is everything. This kind of honour is very unfashionable in our shmoozy corporate times, but I for one respect it greatly. I was also very proud of Maradona and will NEVER judge him for his cocaine problem. It made me sick to see how people went all preachy when he was busted by Fifa. All greatness has it's dark side. I have no idea what what was said to Zidane last night. Maybe the Italian got what he deserved? Considering that seven of the Italian players (especially Buffon) are seriously involved in this scandal, that Zidane certainly knows a thing or two himself, who is to know what's happening behind the scenes. I doubt us mugs will ever know.
and also MATERAZZI is a fugazi asshole...
...this guy is holding the world cup?!
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DONE!
I have the feeling that I didn't learn quite as much as I should have, but good thing grade inflation is alive and well in this IVY.
Home on the 19th |
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