The Sea Life Centre in Oberhausen, Germany has just unveiled a memorial for its most-famous former resident, Paul the Psychic Octopus. It was a bittersweet affair, but all agree that the monumental statue is proper recognition for the mystic mollusk.
It’s hard to know what the most memorable aspect of the FIFA World Cup 2010 will be 25 years from now, but there is a good chance Paul will rank near the top. Most assume the following order of notables:
What do these words have in common?
1. Vuvuzela
2. Toxic Debt
3. Staycation
4. Cheeseball
5. National Treasure
Give up?
Filed under: 5) World Cup 2010, 6) Rumor & Scandal, 9) Video (Misc.), France
Nicolas Anelka’s international career just got slapped to sleep by the French Football Federation (FFF), which handed him an 18-match ban for his antics at this summer’s World Cup. Though plenty of blame could and should be heaped on lame duck manager Raymond Domenech, the FFF are coming down with heavy fist on the striker for playing the leading role in this summer’s national embarrassment. (video below)
Anelka isn’t the only player who has been punished, however. Patrice Evra and Franck Ribery will have rosy wrists after having them slapped with 5 and 3 match bans, respectively, for not having dutifully carried out their responsibilities as captain and vice-captain.
So basically, the FFF has made the statement: French Footy don’t play dat!
A refresher on the French “disaster”:
WATCH, LAUGH, & VOTE — Click here to watch rivaling bad attitudes: Nicolas Anelka & Homey D. Clown.
It’s reassuring to know that warmth and kindness still exist in a sport that seems chock-full of money-grubbing divas and dirtbags.
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has always seemed like a class act, and this little story furthers that belief. El Niño took this picture alongside his website’s photographer, J.A. Sirvent, just after having won the FIFA World Cup 2010 with his country, Spain. Below are some of Sirvent’s heartwarming words recalling his emotional moment with Torres:
“It was a dream occasion. A World Cup final at the Soccer City in Johannesburg. Spain had just won the World Cup and all of us there covering the event felt privileged to be there… but after 31 days in South Africa, we were exhausted.
“I spot Fernando heading my way wearing a big smile from ear to ear. The World Cup triumph, the post-match battle with my colleagues, and the tiredness are all forgotten for an instant. My eyes well up with tears and I start to cry. The tears are not just because Spain have won, or that after 12 years as a photographer my dreams have come true.
“The tears were because I remembered Torres as that blonde haired 15 year old. I remembered watching him grow up, and now aged 27, ‘El Niño’ is a World Cup winner.
“It was a magical and moving moment to see a World Cup winner, a European Championship winner and an idol at Liverpool look so emotionally vulnerable as the next person. Fernando Torres hasn’t changed and he is still that great person he always has been. It makes me feel proud to know him and to have been able to share this moment with him.“
<<READ MORE>> Click here to read J.A. Sirvent’s full post describing “the best photo of (his) life.”
Congress showed US Soccer some LOVE last week by passing House Resolution 1527, which gave the national team a huge legislative pat on the back for it’s performance at the FIFA World Cup 2010.
And despite being written by a bunch of stiff DC politicians, this thing’s got more shout-outs than a jookin’ mane can send to Memphis. Interestingly, two of the groups gettin’ some love are coaches and parents of young soccer players around the country, as if to say — as ya boi James out of Alabama might — US Soccer: It’s a movement.
Be proud soccer fans… if DC can see it, anyone can.
HR1527, for your reading pleasure:
Whereas the United States Men’s National Soccer Team made the Nation proud and impressed fans around the world with steadfast play and an impressive performance in the 2010 FIFA World Cup;
Whereas the team won its group in the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1930;
Whereas Nacogdoches, Texas, native Clint Dempsey scored a goal against England in the opening match to ensure a tie…
Check out the latest and final installment of Ben Shire’s “Wrapped Up: World Cup 2010,” which covers the distant future of soccer, the antics of Diego Maradona, and astute reactions on the Final.
Suffering from FIFA World Cup 2010 withdrawal?
FANunited is here to help ease the pain with a ridiculous scene of unnecessarily half-nude beauties. If you enjoy attractive women in implausible situations, prepare for your brain to spill out of your ear… just a little.
Enjoy a humorous look into the FIFA World Cup 2010′s semifinal round through the eyes — and in the words — of Ben Shire.
(Update – Paul found dead! – 10/26/10)
July 8th: Rather than blame their national team for a lackluster performance against Spain in yesterday’s World Cup semifinal match, Germans are calling for Paul the psychic octupus’ head!
As reported on FANunited earlier in the tournament, Paul had previously predicted all of Germany’s World Cup results with perfection.
Many of the Bavarians lived in disbelief in the hours between Tuesday’s prediction that Spain would win and Wednesday’s result… and once Paul was again proven to be an oracle, fans were in an outrage. Convinced that his prediction itself had brought on the defeat, mobs on Facebook want the invertebrate thrown onto the grill and barbecued!
Paul, you’re 6 for 6. Impressive!
Watch the prediction:
*** Update – VIDEO: Paul found dead! (Oct. 26) ***
Despite coming into the tournament as co-favorites with Brazil, Spain have generally failed to impress throughout the FIFA World Cup 2010. All of that changed in today’s rematch of the Euro 2008 Final against Germany, however. A Carlos Puyol header sent La Furia Roja soaring into the Final match against the Netherlands.
The final game of this dazzling tournament is set up to be played quite aesthetically, amongst two sides who take pride in playing the Beautiful Way.
Check out match highlights:
WATCH MORE — Click here to watch highlights from the Euro 2008 Final.
