One World Cup

Month

July 2010

4 posts

Manchester United vs Celtic FC at Skydome

Manchester United kicked off their world tour here in Toronto against Celtic FC and I made sure I got a good seat right behind the bench. They were missing a few top players, namely Rooney who was probably laying low after England’s uneventful World Cup run. It was however extremely great to see long standing United members like Giggs, Scholes and head honcho Sir Alex Ferguson up close. Loud supporters from either side provided an entertaining atmosphere and it ended a solid 3 - 1 for ManU.

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Not something that you see everyday.

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Who’s that guy?

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ManU on the board first.

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Good game.
Jul 20, 2010
Espainia!

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Spain are now world champions. Netherlands had an awesome tournament but there can only be one winner and Spain deserve it. In a way I just spoiled the ending of the documentary but it’s the journey that counts, not necessarily the final destination and the film will still hold many surprises.

This World Cup will be unforgettable for me. I had a great time but I never really got to sit and enjoy the games with everyone else. I was always that guy with the video camera watching everyone else watch the games but it was a very interesting and entertaining perspective. This would not be the doc it is without everyone who tolerated me sticking the camera in their face and just had fun. Next World Cup will be in Brazil, probably the coolest place in the world and I just might be able to relax and enjoy it. Maybe Canada will actually qualify!

I’ve come to understand from talking to a broad range of people that even with all the heated rivalries and political history the World Cup and soccer in general, is just a game. Perhaps the fact that it is just a game means it’s something that helps people forget the BS, get together and communicate on common ground. We need more reasons to do that but as negative as it sounds the World Cup doesn’t change anything, people change things and it doesn’t matter who wins. Another thing I learned is that vuvuzelas make great beer funnels…and drinking is the real most popular sport in the world.

It ain’t over yet. This blog will eventually be a proper site for the film when its done and I’ll be updating it all through post-production and its ultimate release so please check back. I’m sure I’ll be spending lots more time here in the future but for now I fare thee well Toronto, its been sweet.

Jul 13, 2010
Its just getting good...

We are now heading into the semi-finals with the top four teams in the world in no particular order being Germany, Spain, Holland and Uruguay. Its just getting good and already its been amazing.

One thing I noticed about the England games is that they were the only ones where the singing actually drowns out the incessant buzz from the vuvuzela. Sounded like a good old fashioned football match for a change. I don’t think they have any excuses after their 4-1 loss to the Germans. There was of course a now infamous equalizing goal that never was but the following goals and game play from the Germans seemed to cancel that out. I wonder if England have once again failed themselves and the country or if the German team really is that good.

Ghana vs USA was exciting. I was at a sports bar called The Point, full of Ghanaians and their supporters on the edge of their seats. After the win people from around the neighborhood started streaming out of their homes and celebrating in the parking lot, a great vibe. At this point Ghana has been eliminated in yet another controversial game. They did not capitalize on the handball penalty in extra time nor in the eventual penalty kick off at the end, though the initial shameless Suarez save made Ghana’s elimination feel specifically unjust in the end.

Meanwhile in the T-dot the G8/20 summit was going down. Toronto was under serious security. Though I stated this is not a film about politics I’ve always felt that it is a documentary about a time and place, namely Toronto during the World Cup, and this was absolutely relevant. People have been talking about it all around Toronto, I’ve over heard more than a few loud conversations in public and talked to some people myself about their experiences. Unfortunately I don’t think anyone is any more informed about the issues surrounding the summit after all this.

Canada Day didn’t seem quite right after that weekend but I took it in anyway wondering around enjoying typical Canada Day stuff. I then checked out a Toronto FC game. I was told they have the most rowdy and supportive fans in the MLS and they proved it on this July 1st. I finished the day off with some fireworks at Ontario Center as the CN Tower was putting on a light show of its own. Toronto is still cool.

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Jul 5, 2010
CBC World Cup Coverage

If you are in Canada and haven’t noticed already the CBC has a tonne of content available online from live coverage, full games on demand, highlights to a variety of features. Here are a few,

The Beautiful Game, some sweet footwork.

Top 10 Goals, so far.

Close, some missed opportunities.

From the last week,

Suarez hand ball and aftermath, oh the drama.

Netherlands eliminate Brazil, big game and a big win.

Germany completely dominate Argentina, ‘nuff said.

Portugal vs Spain, and Portugal fail to deliver.

Jul 5, 2010
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