Reflecting on glories past 7:53pm

Having not taken any photos whilst at the World Cup in the summer of 2006 I’ve been left to reflect on memories that fade and distort over time. I’m glad that I kept a blog that has helped preserve thoughts and images in the style of the Unphotographable blog.

Some of my favourite thoughts are included here:

On Italy beating Ghana -

On my return to Köln it must have slipped my mind that Italy had just won the World Cup, or so it seemed. Hohezollernring was awash with Italians in cars, on mopeds and on foot flying their flags and bleating their horns. Chants were constant and the celebrating intense. Rather than winning the World Cup outright, they had merely beaten footballing minnows Ghana in their first match. It remains to be seen what celebrations will be like if the Italians do actually achieve something worthwhile.

On bouts of Schadenfreude -

I was beginning to doubt myself when I watched the Germany versus Poland game just outside the Schokoladenmuseum on the Rhine. I was with my German host and wishing for the Germans to win. It’s not that I have split loyalties, but rather I’ve developed a craving for that sense of euphoria you get with a mass celebration. Thousands of fans packed the space to watch the match and for one of the first times since the tournament began, Germans were in the majority.

On seeing God -

Today I went to the Temple of Gelsenkirchen for the game between Argentina and Serbia (& Montenegro). God was there. The clergy prayed, he preached, and a miracle occurred.

On English fans and German police -

I would first like to say that up until that moment and ever since, I thought the German police have been very accommodating and very lenient. In the same manner, virtually every single one of the English fans has provided England with a support they can be justifiably proud of. My only criticism is that when the moment came for either the English fans or the German police to step down in the heat of the moment, neither relented and a fairly small-scale skirmish occurred. The problem wasn’t the scale of the event, but rather the ease with which it happened.

On Portugal vs Mexico –

An early goal, a converted penalty, a crossbar hit, a headed corner, a red card, a skied penalty, but alas no equaliser from the Mexicans. After the game I asked my companions what they thought. “It had everything” they said, quoting all the above events, “except the equaliser”.

My reply was short, sweet, and summed up everything I’ve come to know ever since I kicked a football.

“So ist Fußball”.

On reflection -

I saw violence, joy, agony, jubilation, wonder, amazement and relief. I heard drums, air horns, car horns, chants, songs, cries, screams.

Ultimately it was a pilgrimage of sorts. It was expensive and extravagant. At times it was lonely, tiring and frustrating.

So now I’m home with the group stages not even complete yet. I have plans to sit down and see what the BBC theme tune for the World Cup is, what Leonardo is like as a pundit. I’ll update my wall charts and unravel my flags, and finally, when all is complete, I’ll reflect.

In translation -