The whole world is talking football. Take a crash course in football terminology and tackle the Teutonic forwards of the soccer circuit.
MUMBAI: The whole world is talking football. The beautiful game is present on the streets and at parties, in newspapers and on television. But it might catch you on the wrong foot if you are part of the league that takes Ronaldinho for a Latino rock star, or worse, an African catcall.
So, how to get around the fuss about fussball (which, for the uninitiated, is soccer in German)? Simple: take a crash course in football terminology and tackle the Teutonic forwards of the soccer circuit. Only, don’t start galloping when you have just learnt to canter; steer clear of deadly shots such as discussing entities like Ferenc Puskas (don’t feel depressed if you aren’t a major in Magyar matters).
On target now. Start with the legends: Pele, Maradona, Gullit, Cruyff, Beckenbauer, Bobby Moore, Enzo Scifo… To see these greats in action, check out the “Classic Videos” section on the webpage http://fifaworldcup. yahoo.com/06/en/p/ in FIFA’s official World Cup website.
After getting a feel about football action, you should try comprehending what an offside is. Just scan through the game’s rules at http://www. fifa.com/en/regulations/regulation/ 0,1584,3,00.html.
After the basics, it’s time for the locker room. Yes, there are more teams than Brazil to look out for. Get a hang of each country’s star players, favoured formations, and chances at http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/default.stm, the BBC website’s country pages.
For gossip, visit the Sun’s http://www.thesun.co.uk/section/ 0,,3,00.html and the Mirror’s http://www.mirror.co.uk/worldcup/news. The paparazzi have spread for you a potpourri of pictures and backroom talk — hard to resist, eh?
Now, if you are getting serious about the game, jog your mind with some statistics. Number-crunch your way through the website of the Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (http://rsssf.com), where World Cup feats are meticulously recorded.
Finally, if you are ready for a Roberto Carlos free kick, The Guardian’s http://football.guardian .co.uk/worldcup2006/0,,1661503,00.html is a must-see. “More news and comments than any sane football fan needs”, goes its tagline. Rest assured, that is enough football to give you a real kick.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=spacer}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}