How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization  

5/28/08

Let me kick off by saying: Great read!!
The book is by Franklin Foer, and in it, he makes an analisys on how the game itself can be seen as globalization and it's effects/results on many different cultures where it encounters corruption, racism, tribalism, nationalism and hooliganism. Don't be thrown off by all these "isms", he travelled the globe and met with many figures who give their own view and experience with the game and life. Among the topics, The Red Star Belgrade's supporters part in the Serbian nationalism is INSANE!! Berlusconi's and the Agnelli's influence over the Italian game and how Inter supporters cope with it... Chelsea's drastic change from working class to the posh style... The never ending corruption in the Brazilian league... Real Madrid x Barcelona's rivalry with focus during Franco's regime... And more including the USA, which he makes and ironic analisys in the end.
Definitely worth getting this!

The book can be found at Amazon with the "Search Inside" feature which allows you to take a peek.


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England 2 x 0 USA  

In it's best game since Capello took over, England defeated the US by 2x0. Goals by Terry(named captain) with a header from a DB cross and Stevie G sneaking thru the center like a forward, receiving a pass from Gareth Barry(on his first touch of the game) and again, like a forward with all the coolness in the World, touching it past Brad Guzan. Also, DB received a golden hat as an award for his 100th cap.
England seems to have improved quite a bit displaying entertaining 1 touch football and looking a lot more fluid than before.
It's just ironic that when England finally has proof to back up their claim that the Premier League is at the top of the European leagues, they fail to qualiy for such a major tourney that is the Euro. And while many will say that the BPL is ranked 1st because of the number of foreigners, if you count the number of English players on the pitch at the CL final, you'll have 10, both clubs within the big 4 that contain the biggest number of English man in their line up, and you could form a 1st team with Wes Brown, Terry, Ferdinand and Ca$hley Cole at the back. Lamps, Scholes, Hargreaves and Carrick in the middle with Rooney and Joe Cole up top. A bit unconventional, one might say, and Scholes has retired from the international scene and we're missing a goalkeeper... Ok, there are still quality players to pick from out of the other clubs such as David James, Steven Gerrard, Micheal Owen, Gareth Barry, Defoe, and yes.. even D. Becks... The depth isn't the greatest either, but you'd think that with a team like that, one should manage to go somewhere.... Catch the key words? "One should manage"... The more we analyze the situation, the stinkier Mclaren's performance with that team seems to get.


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