Why all the World Cup hype?
By Edward Mills (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-17 10:37
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World Cup fever couldn't be much higher here in Beijing. Other nations' flags adorn nearly every bar or pub (accompanied by the incessant droning of vuvuzelas during match hours), whilst football has become one of the main topics of conversation amongst Chinese and expats alike.
The Chinese national team didn't qualify for the World Cup this year, much to the disdain of the rest of the population, but that hasn't stopped people staying up late or setting their alarm clocks for matches that sadly take place at ungodly hours in Chinese time.
Even my American friends have developed a rapid interest in "soccer" after a certain goalkeeper's horrendous mistake when the US, playing England, highlighted just how terrible we (the English) currently are.
But why is football, in particular the World Cup, so popular?
In the case of England, it's easy to find reasons not be interested! Our team haven't won the World Cup since 1966 and certainly don't have a chance to win this time around.
We have no good goalkeepers, just the one top striker, a midfield that can't play together and an injury prone defense.
Equally the team is hardly the most upstanding members of society - many members are just as famous for infidelity and drink-related criminal offences as they are for their football skills, so they don't exactly provide a good image to the world.
Yet this bunch of over-paid, over-hyped prima donnas will command all English supporters' hopes and fears for the duration of the tournament!
Despite the negative points, staying up half the night to watch them and others play, some in despair, still seems oddly compelling for many people in Beijing.
Different people have different reasons for watching: the football geeks will be watching to see how the individual characteristics of league players cope in the national teams; some will chance upon a match whilst sipping a cold beverage or few; and others may delight in catching the allegedly attractive members amongst the Dutch traveling fans.
National pride (or national humiliation in England's case) also plays a part. There's something special about watching your country, however insignificant their achievements seem at the close of the tournament.
But many of those watching World Cup matches will not watch because of their innate knowledge of the game or intimate familiarity with the players on the team sheet. Some won't even be wearing their heart on their sleeve as their nation goes to battle on the football pitch.
Even the fairly uninterested football viewers like me will end up becoming acquainted with the supposed pace of the South Korean wingers and the flair of the Spanish side.
Indeed, the aura of the World Cup goes beyond national pride and football mania. It creates an atmosphere of great curiosity - many of the world's teams are playing and many more of the world's population are watching.
Whoever knew that some, admittedly rather camp, men kicking a spherical object around the pitch could command such collective international feeling?
It must be a living hell for those who "don't get" the World Cup - weeks of press coverage, conversation and being woken in the night by an over-enthusiastic German celebrating his team's success.
Thankfully for the majority, it's a period of enjoyment, where beer at 3 am is basically fine.
Despite their failings, I will be dragged along with the current wave of World Cup fever and ultimately find staying up late to watch football a better and better idea.
Whether it's national pride, football enthusiasm or for other reasons, make sure you enjoy the World Cup - I'll be cheering for England (as long as they drop Green... he couldn't catch a cold).