The good news about being out of work in June and into July is that I am free to watch as many FIFA World Cup games as I want. Unfortunately, the US men failed to even qualify for this tournament, but Belgium’s team is playing, so that’s who we are behind. Mike and I both sort of feel a close connection to that country since we have close friends there and have visited several times recently. Plus, I really have come to like that little country.
Yesterday’s match was amazing. Japan, ranked something like #61 in the world, played like they were super-human. It really looked like they were going to win 2-0. Then something finally clicked with BE’s Red Devils and they came back to win 3-2.
While watching the game, I wondered how the team communicates amongst themselves. Belgium, which is roughly the same size as Maryland, has three official languages, Dutch, French, and German, plus there are other languages or dialects of the official languages spoken in some small areas. Crazy, right?
This morning, I happened to come across an article explaining how the men on Belgium’s national football team communicate with each other. I assume you’ll read that if you really want to know. 🙂
Are any of you soccer fans? I actually played soccer recreationally for about 10 years. I didn’t start playing until I was in my 30s. I played indoor and outdoor soccer, on both all-female and coed teams. I miss it.
Have you considered finding another team to play with? Or starting one if one doesn’t already exist?
No, not very practical at this point in my life. I’d rather use my spare time to do other things.
I’m afraid that I’m not a soccer fan. But I’ll cheer for anyone…
Richard, if you happen to see the game on Friday, cheer for Belgium. They’re playing Brazil, a country that’s won far too many World Cup trophies. A win for Belgium would be VERY exciting.
Having you in our corner seems to have helped so far! Though not sure if it will be enough against Brazil…. The divide here is actually one of the reasons I love it when our Devils play – for once we’re all Belgium. I’d always consider myself Belgian and European rather than Flemish, but you know that. Did you know we use English for communication among Belgian staff in our company?
Ah, we’re good luck charms for the Red Devils! I did not know that English is used in your workplace like that. It makes a lot of sense when a country is tri-lingual. How else would everyone communicate?
We have talked about watching the World Cup games but haven’t done it yet. We only stream TV, and finding World Cup coverage that way is difficult. Maybe we will find a sports bar on Friday to watch. Do you know what time it will show in the US? Interesting fact about Belgium being tri-lingual!