Enter the gladiators

[fpb]

I have to say, one of my favourite moments in every international football competition is the entrance of the athletes and the playing of the anthems. I always loved it, even without having to reflect about it: whatever else happens in the game, there is something noble and beautiful about the picture of twenty-two young men preparing, under the eyes of millions, to give all they have of strength, speed, skill and quick-thinking for the honour of their countries. Without the opening ceremonial, the real meaning of international competition could not be felt, and it may even be that the games would be worse or more undisciplined. There is no football fan who is not very conscious of all the dark side of the professional game; but even once you have taken it all into consideration, it is still good that people should spend their lives perfecting a skill to the best of their potential and then using it, not only for profit, but for their honour, the honour of their country, and the honour of the game.

Comments

[privatemaladict.livejournal.com]

Personally, I prefer the moments when they rip off their shirts and run around hugging each other after they've kicked a goal. ;) Not very dignified, but a lot of fun to watch!

[fpb.livejournal.com]

A lot of females have commented on the physical attraction of the players, especially ours (http://aphoenix2007.livejournal.com/147395.html). Unfortunately, being straight, my appreciation of that part of the game is mostly restricted to the few times when I get to see women's football - mostly, in Europe, a matter of watching blonde, long-legged Norwegian ladies destroying any other team. And for some reason, they are not in the habit of stripping to the belt.

[privatemaladict.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's not just physical attraction. (Though I won't deny it's a bit of that, too.) It's just the sheer joy of the moment - there aren't that many situations in life when people are able to express joy in such an unrestrained manner. It's the one moment when the players get to act more crazy than the fans - we might hug strangers, but no-one takes their shirt off (thank god!)

When Australia kicked their second goal against Japan, we even got a lovely shot of the coach doing a little victory dance. I love it. :)