World Cup Fever

What with being in the USA, you'd think that the World Cup isn't much of an event over here and, to a large extent, you'd be right. A casual couple of questions to some American workmates and friends reveals that some of them now next to nothing about what's happening, and a couple weren't even aware that there is a soccer world cup, let alone the fact that it's taking place right now - even more surprising given that the USA are apparently rated 5th on the FIFA world rankings - something that i severely doubt given that England managed to wipe the floor with them not so long back on a tour. Anyhow, with that and the 6-hour time difference between here and Germany, it's perhaps understandable that people aren't really paying much attention to it - i'd have been interested to see if that was the case way back in 1994 when the USA hosted things.

However, being in a somewhat international lab means that there are more than a couple of people with a passing interest in what's happening on the other side of the world (well, not quite on the other side but you know what i mean). This certainly makes for interesting topics of conversation in the lab and at any work-oriented parties - particularly if your team wins and the other person's don't (as, for example, with Poland and England - although admittedly the English win was rather poor to say the least). With that in mind, I agreed to take part in a sweepstake being organised - and chose England as my team. Not that i expect them to win, but gotta be patriotic. At least some of us over here (maybe not the country) will be watching.