As most of my regular readers know as well as friends and followers on Facebook and Twitter, I love soccer. Since June 11th, I have been working late at night, early in the morning, on weekends, and between matches because I’m trying to watch as many World Cup games as I can. I think I will be completely worn out and ready to sleep for a week come July 12th ;-)
The funny thing though is that most of my life I hated watching sports (except for figure skating) and actively avoided getting involved. I didn’t enjoy playing them very much either. It was ok in junior high when I went to a tiny school and everyone could play whether they were any good or not. But my first two years of high school I went to a private school where you had to participate in a least one team sport – it was done instead of PE classes. Ironically, I played soccer. I was a forward and only scored one goal in two years – this is a statement on my lack of skill and on how infrequently I actually played. The coach even complained that I played “mellow soccer”.
Mellow Soccer
I didn’t mind sports where you were competing against time rather than fighting for a ball. For example, while not the world’s greatest skier, I enjoyed racing because I was doing it on my own and going against the clock.
The Beginning
Two years ago, I was getting something to eat at a local pizza place. They had soccer on the tv and I learned that it was Euro 2008. The Euros are a huge European tournament every four years. Oddly enough, I found myself engrossed in the match and stayed and watched the entire thing. It was the match where Turkey beat the Czech Republic, which absolutely no one expected to happen.
I decided to watch the rest of the tournament. I didn’t know who to root for because I didn’t know anything about any of the teams but finally decided to go with Spain. I know a little bit of Spanish and have actually been to Spain so it seemed like a good choice to me.
And did I luck out with my choice. Spain won the tournament, I developed a crush on Iker Casillas, and I decided to start following Premiere League soccer in England.
This video of the ending ceremony still moves me.
So, I started watching Premiere League matches but didn’t know which team I wanted to follow. I considered following Arsenal but really didn’t want to follow one of the big four teams that are usually the ones that Americans tend to support; Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal. I had read that the best thing to do is watch matches and your team will choose you rather than you choosing a team. You will be drawn to one team more than others. I thought this was a little hokey but it worked – I watched a number of matches, really liked Aston Villa and that became my Premiere League team.
Aston Villa
Because I love Spain (and Iker Casillas) I also watch Real Madrid and sometimes Barcelona in the Spanish league. And even though a couple of my Villa players are on the English team, I am supporting Spain in the World Cup. I actually feel a little sick to my stomach when they are playing – how absurd really to be nervous about a sporting event.
Surprisingly enough my favorite match so far has been Italy vs New Zealand. Everyone expected Italy to win because New Zealand is one of the lowest ranked teams. New Zealand, however, played their hearts out and the games was a tie 1-1. Italy’s only goal was a penalty kick. You might think a tie isn’t such a big deal but when the match is against one of the lowest and one of the topped ranked teams it really is a win for New Zealand. And the players were so happy – it really was great fun to watch.
So, because I talk about soccer quite a bit, tweet about it, mention it on Facebook, many people think I must be a lifelong fan. But I’ve only been a fan for 2 years and there really is a lot about the game that I don’t fully understand. Fortunately, I have a lot of twitter friends who also love soccer and they are happy to answer all of my questions. ;-) I have this one friend that does artificial turf in Denver for sport fields, turns out, I’m interested in that too. I think I have begun to annoy him with all the questions about turf and how it’s made.
Now that I think about it maybe my love of the sport had something to do with turning 40 – it happened right about the same time ;-)
Is there anything that you enjoy now, that you didn’t like when you were younger? What do you think causes these changes? Just an open mind? A natural development of new interests?
photo credit: Katie@!
photo credit: Arno & Louise
Kim,
You KNEW I would have to comment on this one. What a great story. I’ve been a fan of the beautiful game for about two years as well. I used to be a die-hard American football fan but since I’ve started watching soccer, I’ve watched maybe one football game in two years!
I love the strategy and the civility of soccer. I find it very exciting. I’m a little bummed about the attitude most Americans take towards the game. I wish they would open their minds a bit but then again, it does not really matter. What’s important is that like you, I’ve found something I’m very passionate about.
Even though AV are not my team, whenever I see them play I root, “Go Villa!” and think of you.
Cheers
George
.-= George Angus´s last blog ..Simple Tips to Overcome the Fear of Writing =-.
Hi George – I thought you had been a fan for a long time – that’s funny that we both got into it around the same time – maybe it’s something that twitter did to us ;-)
I’ve never liked American football – and there are too many commercials.
This World Cup has been so surprising so far – I’m having a blast.
Say Go Villa louder – it would be nice to move up from 6th place ;-)
I always loved soccer. My dad is Dutch, and love of Soccer – and the Dutch league – is deeply ingrained in me.
Needless to say I am rooting for the Dutch. :)
.-= vered – blogger for hire´s last blog ..Be Kind To Your Behind =-.
Hi Vered – They played great today! Although I’ve heard that they are great at playing but not so great at winning – I wonder why that is. I’m glad they moved up to the next stage.
How come you are after Iker Casillas? Of course, he’s good looking and so are most of the spanish players :) I thought ladies generally like strikers… Goalees usually have a low fan base
Btw, did you watch the Italy – Slovakia match. I just would up watching.. man, what a match! The best in the event so far.
.-= Ajith Edassery´s last blog ..Are you selling your stocks at the wrong time? =-.
Hi Ajith – I don’t know why I like Iker better than other players. Maybe it was because he did such a great job in Euro 2008.
I didn’t watch the Italy match until tonight – it was a great match! I think so far my favorite has been New Zealand vs Italy – it was awesome to see New Zealand hold up to Italy.
Thanks for sharing Kim. I wondered how you wound up picking a team like Aston Villa to support.
As for what causes these changes, I don’t have a clue. I guess approaching things with an open mind and being willing to try new stuff must have something to do with it.
.-= Cath Noble´s last blog ..7 Enjoyable Ways To Spend Less Money =-.
Hi Cath – How did this woman from Philadelphia become a Villa supporter? LOL
Is there anything that you enjoy now, that you didn’t like when you were younger?
I like watching golf! I remember thinking as a kid that golf is as boring as it gets. I guess at 42 I’m getting old! Pretty soon, I’ll have news on all day and will get up every day at 10am and go to bed at 2am. :D
.-= Colleen´s last blog ..Full Disclosure =-.
Hi Colleen – We’re the same age ;-)
I still think golf is dull – my first job was at a golf course and it only increased my dislike of the sport.
Yep – and you’ll be catching the Early Bird Special ;-)
On a soccer note, we’re kinda sad here in the U.S. as our team lost. Looks like soccer is gaining momentum here in America. :)
.-= Colleen´s last blog ..Hue Estates Kennewick Homes For Sale =-.
Hi Colleen,
It looks like it’s getting a little bit more popular. The key would be if people kept watching the World Cup even though the US is out.
So cool to read such enthusiasm out of the US for the beautiful game. The spirit of the no. 1 game of the planet is indomitable, friends! All the power of the football and baseball worlds combined with not be able to extinguish this flame!
I am sad that my countryman David Beckham could not participate on the field in South Africa because of what it would have done to promote further the cause of soccer in the States but the achievement of the American team has been brilliant and is exactly what I was hoping for as a friend of soccer and of America.
Best Wishes from the home of football (soccer!),
Gary
Hi Gary – Maybe Beckham would have increased the excitement but I think he’s had his days – I don’t know if he would be an asset to the English team. Finally, in their 3rd match they started to pull it together – I was worried about them.
Hopefully the sport will become more popular in this country. :-)
So I’ll support the US against Ghana….are you with us against the Germans on Sunday?! :-)
Hey Kim, I really must introduce you to Ashley Knutson, the new Operations Manager for Wausau Whitewater. She is totally soccer… from a different perspective. She plays, coaches, and is finishing her Masters in Sports Management. But she is cheering at the television and her FB updates are all soccer. She would love this post… So I think I will put it in front of her. Whitewater is relatively new to her but like you, she takes to things with determination and is now growing in paddling skills in addition to running the organization.
.-= Julie Walraven | Resume Services´s last blog ..Blogging Advice Bonus =-.
It’s interesting that all the South American teams have done so well…anyone else think it might be the southern hemisphere connection?! :-)
I totally thought you were a lifelong supporter of the sport. I’ve tried to watch, but unfortunately the only sport I really enjoy watching is gymnastics. I know, it’s sad. I used to watch American Football, as I was a career bartender and worked on Monday Nights, so it sort of went with the territory, if I wanted to make a living. But since leaving that I’ve not had much interest in it (Unless the Jets are doing well, but that’s a whole other story).
.-= Christine´s last blog ..I’m In a Rut =-.
Hi Christine – I know. That’s way it’s so weird – I’ve hated watching sports for 40 years and all of a sudden I’m obsessed with soccer.
My brother and father were way more into watching tv then I was when I was growing up and the frequently watched sports. I couldn’t understand why they thought that was so entertaining and it probably started my dislike of both tv and sports.
thank you for this blog , and i want ask you a question,
how you can add this chanal for the online live match ,to your blog and where you fond these chanals?
You could start with MyP2P
http://www.myp2p.eu/competition.php?competitionid=&part=sports&discipline=football