Fri | Mar 29, 2024

Kelly's World | I'm not a bad loser (but the World Cup is dead to me)

Published:Tuesday | July 3, 2018 | 12:00 AM
Spanish players react after the round of 16 match between Spain and Russia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, yesterday. Russia eliminated Spain 4-3 on penalties.

Well, not for the first time, I got it completely and utterly wrong.

I thought that Spain would have taken the World Cup title. Not only was I wrong, I was badly wrong.

True, we could argue that the Spanish at least made it to the second round of the competition.

Plus, there could be some consolation from the fact they lost to the hosts, on penalty kicks no less.

But it doesn't change a damn thing. Losing is losing. To paraphrase Vin Diesel in the first (and best movie) of the Fast and Furious franchise, whether it's by an inch or a mile, winning is winning.

So I couldn't give a flying you know what that, unlike defending champions, Germany, Spain at least got out of their group. Dem never win.

Now, unlike some petty folks, who started cheering for the underdogs to upset everybody, I have kinda lost interest in the World Cup.

 

USHERED OUT

 

Like the players and officials of the eliminated teams, I packed my (mental) bags and caught the first flight out of Maas Putin country.

Some would say that's even more petty on my part. I'll try and pay my bills with their opinion of me.

Don't get me wrong. The entire World Cup has been exciting. There have been great games, fantastic goals and there is a vibrancy around any venue where people are watching.

That's a good thing. It's a nice mental oasis from the troubling things that are causing Jamaicans so much pain.

But I really have no interest in the final outcome of the tournament. There is no impetus to park myself beside the television. Who waan win, win! I. Care. Zero.

In my defence, at least I was right that Germany wouldn't repeat. And I also figured Argentina wouldn't get it right.

The interesting thing with teams getting kicked out of the World Cup is that like tragedies in life, you learn who your friends are very quickly.

The wagonists simply dump one flag and/or jersey and find another team to support.

The 'four-year fans' (those who only support a team when the World Cup comes around) may also dump their paraphernalia, but probably won't support anyone else.

The real fans are the ones who shed their tears in the moment, neatly put away their jersey and flag but watch the rest of the tournament, hoping the best team wins, whoever that may be.

 

Burning Flags

 

The people I will never understand are the ones who burn flags and jerseys. I realise the replica jerseys (especially the knock-offs) don't cost much.

But seriously? Burning? That's a tad much. I've known people who throw things into their TV on the spur of the moment (believe it or not, I'm not one).

But burning? That takes time and thought, and a flammable liquid. That's plenty of work. At no point did you think, 'this is a bad idea'?

Save your energy, folks, the players are vacationing at their oceanside residences right now. It ain't that serious for them.

So why make it so for yourself? Think about it.

- Link me at daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com