World Cup is the most popular sport event in the world, even more popular than Olympics. The 32 best national teams in the world get together, offering audience a big soccer feast. In this blog I will recount my world cup watching experience, and some other things about it.
I hadn’t begun to notice this event until the 2014 Brazil world cup. At that time, I have just finished my senior high school entrance exam, and had a long holiday. So I could spend long time watching it. Because of the time difference, we Chinese could only stay up late to enjoy the feast. Many of my friends just spent all night watching it– a game at 2 am, then a game at 4am, then a 6 am game……It seemed that we were all so crazy about soccer.
The game impressed me a lot was, of course, the final game, Germany VS Argentine. Believe it or not, permitted by my mom, I just went to a hotel bar with my friends and my cousin, ordered three big baskets of beer, and watched the game at late night. That sounds so crazy, a 14-year-old child going to a bar to watch soccer game? But that’s legal in China, I’m pretty much sure. Personally I was in favor of Argentine. Although I thought Germany was a little better than Argentine. German just defeated Argentine by 7-1 in half final, which was an incredible victory. But I thought Germany was so cruel to Brazil. It didn’t need to win that much. So I had some emotion against Germany. What’s more, this is Messi’s closest time to World Cup. I wanted to see Messi fulfill his dream.
The game was intense and long. In the normal time, both Germany and Argentine didn’t score. Then the game went on to the extra time game. I was about to fall asleep because I drank so much and It was so late. Suddenly, the whole bar almost exploded—–Philipp Lahm scored! It was so surprising because he was a full back, not an attacker. But he made it, and the Germany got the cup.
Although I was a little disappointed, I have to admit that this is the craziest experience I have ever had. This is soccer, this is World Cup.
In the history, China national team only entered World Cup once. It was Japan-Korean World Cup in 2002. It is such a shame. A country of 1.3 billion people can’t find 11 good soccer players! I was only 4 years old at that time, so I didn’t remember that. However, my Dad said the whole country was crazy. Even schools stopped to have class, getting students to go back home watching the games. That is the charm of soccer.
The 2018 Russia World Cup is now coming. I’m looking forward to joining the next soccer feast.
Hey Elliott, I loved hearing about your experiences watching the World Cup and having a great time while doing it! I think it shows truly just how internationally unifying sports, but especially soccer, can be. It was so great to also hear about the culture difference between China and the United States, where you were able to go the bar at age 14 and watch it with your friends. I watched the World Cup at 14 on my couch in my house (haha). I hope China can grow a competitive team in the next few years so that you can have a team to support! Good job!
Hey Elliot! This is such an endearing blog post and so indicative of what you call “the charm of soccer.” I found myself chuckling a little bit as you recalled the sense of anger you had Germany’s “cruelty” at having essentially destroyed the Argentinian soccer team during the World Cup.
Just the fact that you are able to experience such a heightened reaction at a bunch of guys kicking soccer balls around is amazing to me, but also it reflects the sense of urgency and personal aspiration that society imparts onto athletes and sporting events.
Elliot, I LOVE the World Cup!! Just like you, I distinctly remember watching every minute of the 2014 Fifa World Cup. However, since I live here in America I didn’t have to stay awake super late to watch it! I agree with you that Germany may have been a little harsh on Brazil, scoring 7 goals. I remember watching that game thinking it was going to be such a good game, and was devastated when Germany crushed them. I agree with you that it would have been nice for Messi to win the Cup, but I also think Germany was truly the better team, and deserved to win. I love your passion about soccer, I can’t wait until the next World Cup comes around again!!!