I've been asked why I have not said anything about this wonderful World Cup of 'Fußball' (Soccer), when I have played the game myself for many years and then coached young players in the fine arts of this game, finally hanging up the boots for good in 1976 after a most successful trip to Austria with the Senior Team of Willowdale United in 1975.
We returned with 2 Victories (2:0 and 4:2) and 3 very close losses: 2:1, 3:2 and 1:0, with one wipe out of 7:1 which we played under miserable weather and pitch conditions against the U21 team of the then Austrian Champion, Wacker Innsbruck. However, enough of this. This trip with its 6 games and innumerable side lights would be worth a lengthy entry here. But this is for another time.
Here, in Austria every game of this 'WM' was televised in its entirety, some of them twice.
I was sad to note right from the beginning that neither Canada nor Austria succeeded in sending their respective team to this competition. So my allegiance switched to the USA, although there is little hope for them against such power houses like England, Italy, Spain, not to mention Brazil and Mexico.
Did I say: 'power houses' England, Italy, and Spain? Well, all three of them took an early exit, much against my and everybody else's expectations.
As the saying goes, however: " The ball is round and bounces in unexpected directions."
In some cases the 'Super Stars' did not perform to expectations: Wayne Roony of England never developed, on a consistent basis, all of his potential. Mario Balotelli of Italy certainly was a giant disappointment and the whole Spanish team fell far short of what everybody had hoped for.
The heavy, ultra heavy favourites now remain Brazil or Holland.
Do not be at all surprised if Germany will speak a mighty word, the USA remaining simply my personal preference with very little hope of getting into the Semis.
We may look forward to better and better games, hopefully we shall be spared the cannibalistic tendencies displayed by the Uruguayan star Louis Suarez.
without any 'biting remarks' I remain
Bertstravels.
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