World Cup soccer is often the continuation of war by other means, a ritual reenactment of past conflicts that allows those who perceive themselves as victims to claim some sort of symbolic vengeance. Algeria’s coach sought to raise his players’ passion for their showdown with England by showing them watch The Battle of Algiers, a movie …
Soccer
TIME Writers’ World Cup Memories
Exclusive Interview with Paul the “Psychic” Octopus
It’s the big one everyone wanted. A one-on-one, man-to-octopus chat with possibly the greatest World Cup tipster in history. The two-year-old cephalopod who resides in the western German city of Oberhausen has become an international celebrity thanks to his correctly predicting every German result. But now his legacy is assured after …
Introducing Your World Cup Final: Ajax vs. Barcelona
The build up to World Cup finals always serve as an appropriate time to take stock, reflect on football’s past and generally get excited about the prospect of the crowning of the new world champions. But there’s an inexorable link that provides the basis for this Sunday’s clash between Spain and the Netherlands.
You Can’t Say You Weren’t Warned, Part 2
An All Too Rare Occurrence: The World Cup Will Get a New Owner
Every World Cup final since the quadrennial tournament began in 1930 has involved at least one of just four teams: Brazil, Italy, Germany and Argentina. That this year’s final will break that 80-year quadropoly is cause for celebration: Either Spain or Holland will win the World Cup for the first time on Sunday at Johannesburg’s Soccer …
Spain Pushes Past Germany 1-0 to Reach the Cup Final
I had to step out of my office for a couple of minutes while I was watching Spain’s 1-0 semifinal win over Germany. Spain had the ball in its possession as I was leaving, and when I returned, Spain had the ball in its possession. Xavi to Iniesta to Xavi to Villa to Sergio to Xavi. It’s possible Spain never gave the ball up during …
The Beautiful Game’s Most Beautiful Players
Enough’s enough. You can discuss goal line technology, vuvuzelas and that octopus all you want. But sometimes you just need to know what BeautifulPeople.com has to say about the World Cup.
You Can’t Say You Weren’t Warned
Spain Faces its Test of Fire
It’s not that Spain’s quick passing “progressive possession” game can’t match the whirlwind of attacking exuberance and defensive tigritude that is Joachim Low’s youthful German side; after all, Barcelona, on whose game and players the Spanish team’s approach is based, have for years been one of Europe’s top club teams. But the Spain that …
Holland Bests Uruguay, 3-2, to Reach the Final
Uruguay took the longest, most difficult route to the World Cup, the last to qualify in South American and only after winning a playoff. No wonder they wanted to stick around so long. Let’s also give Holland its due: this team deserves its spot in the World Cup final. Holland has run the table in both qualifying and in the World Cup. …
