Everyone loves Brazil

[boyofbadgers]

Except that they don't. Maybe.

I was going to write an entry wondering how on earth the Brazilian football team maintain their unusual levels of popularity among fans from other countries. Is it memories of amazing sides past? Is it Ronaldinho's cheeky grin? Or is it because of complex socio-economic factors and/or patronising Western views of plucky poor kids playing barefoot on the beach?

But after reading a fair bit of criticism, both pre and post last night's match, it increasingly looks like your average punter is starting to get sick of the media's sycophantic coverage of Brazil. It remains to be be seen whether this will translate over time into actual dislike of the team, or even ambivalence towards them, but it might just be the first step on the road towards Manchester United style hatred.

So, as is traditional, a poll:

[Poll #747774]

Comments

Re: DEXION SHELVING THEORY OF MIND

[carsmilesteve.livejournal.com]

DIE TOTTI DIE!!!!

does that help?

Re: IMPORTANTLY

[carsmilesteve.livejournal.com]

watch out, or ZIGIC WILL COME AND EAT YOU ALL UP!!!

Re: IMPORTANTLY

[carsmilesteve.livejournal.com]

aw man, now i want a flashing gif of all teh BIG LADS...

[lnr]

God I'd be less "meh" about the football if they'd just stop playing that godawful Embrace track on the radio.

[boyofbadgers.livejournal.com]

Oh god, it's dreadful, isn't it? Embrace are bobbins at the best of time, but this is a new low even for them.

[friend-of-tofu.livejournal.com]

Can't believe you posted about the football. I thought you at least would be maintaining some sort of aloofness *points finger* Judas!

[boyofbadgers.livejournal.com]

What? When have I ever claimed to be aloof from wide-scale cultural events?

[friend-of-tofu.livejournal.com]

Not all of them. Just this one!

(ie wishing people would be, rather than anything you have actually said)

[mr-tom.livejournal.com]

Oddly enough, sneerpout and I have been wondering why it's getting so little airplay. Perhaps we're just listening to the right stations...

[And yes, it is a load of crusty pants]

[martinskidmore.livejournal.com]

First World Cup I watched was 1970, and I've still seen nothing to match the Brazil of that year, or a player to match Pele, or a goal to match the last one in the final. I fell for them then, probably without much notion of the beach and poverty back-story we get all the time now, and they've produced enough great football since to keep me very fond of them. They didn't win five World Cups with hype, and there's been no one in recent years who has made me smile with astonished delight as often as Ronaldinho. One uninspiring showing against pretty tough opposition is nowhere near enough to make me dismiss the chances of a team featuring at least half a dozen world class players.

We shouldn't assume they'll be playing the Czechs in the second round - I wouldn't be too surprised if they finish above Italy, giving us a repeat of that great 1970 final at a very early stage.

[dubdobdee.livejournal.com]

martin you are needed on fooptimists (http://community.livejournal.com/fooptimists/) (even tho you possibly know too much for our stringent protocols)

[http://users.livejournal.com/xyzzzz__/]

"We shouldn't assume they'll be playing the Czechs in the second round"

yeah, sure - on the WC thread on ilx i did say it was a shaky at best assumption. The Czechs could beat Italy and I'll add that if Ghana can scrap a goal they could still do something.

[martinskidmore.livejournal.com]

I have joined!

[martinskidmore.livejournal.com]

They may not need to beat Italy - they have the goal difference advantage at the moment, so may only need a draw in that final game.

[boyofbadgers.livejournal.com]

Yeah, on current evidence, it does look likely that the Czechs will finish top of their group. Three times winners Italy beating Brazil wouldn't be quite as funny though.