And finally, the finale

I can't help but say that I somewhat happy to see the end of the World Cup.  Like the tropical vacation that you know has end, the suspension of reality (and general sporting nirvana, with the World Cup, Wimbledon, Le Tour, international rugby, and regular-season Aussie Rules football all taking place simultanouesly) that I've enjoyed over the past month needed, eventually, to come to an end.  Finally, I will be able to sleep a full night and give my liver (and wallet) a much-needed rest.

As for the final itself, I watched it on a blocked-off street 80 yards from my front door.  As I've mentioned several times before, I live in the "Italian" section of town - though before the World Cup games brought out the "real" Italians, the presence of Italian flags in cafes and pizzerias seemed at least as much to do with drawing in touristimos as actual heritage.  (Perhaps I'm being overly cynical).  It was a wild atmosphere; check out this video and this writeup (last line: "I'm not going to work today, nah, I'm getting drunk.'')  If I ever figure out how to view the photos from my mobile phone, I'll put them up here as well.  The night ended with breakfast at one of the cafes on the street as celebratory horns blew and euphoric fans streamed past.  I imagine that there were more than a few such sick days called in today.

One last word about Zinedine Zidane.  He's probably the single-best player of the past decade and, by all accounts, a gentleman of the game.  His excellence will define this generation of players.  He came out of retirement when French qualification for the World Cup was in question - how long ago that seems!  To have the final moment of his playing career be one in which he was shown red - amidst a World Cup rife with horrible decisions, one that nobody can really argue with - seems cosmically unjust.  But such is sport.  Au revoir, Zizou, et merci pour les mémoires.  A more thorough posting to follow, but off to a frisbee match now...

Comments

[Cliff]

You are glad to see the end of the World Cup? Blasphemy!!!