Stories about Sport from June, 2010
World Cup 2010: Who's to blame for Nigeria's performance?
Nigerian football fans were dismayed Tuesday when the team's final chance of advancing in the 2010 World Cup evaporated in a 2-2 tie with South Korea. In the blogosphere, disappointment was the prevailing emotion, though many fans were not surprised by the outcome.
Japan: Thanks, Blue Samurai!
Japan lost to Paraguay 3-5 in a penalty shootout yesterday but the Blue Samurai's performance touched their fans’ heart, Kazumie says.
Venezuela: Making a Presence in the 2010 World Cup
Venezuela did not make it to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, but the blog Venezuela News and Views posted pictures taken by their correspondent in South Africa, Armando Tirado, showing Venezuelan flags in the match between Brazil and Chile. The flags include messages, like one against Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez...
Taiwan: Don't call Rendy Lu “Glory of Taiwan”
“Do not always praise these national athletes ‘Glory of Taiwan’ loudly only after they strived hard to glorify themselves!” argues Klairelee(zht), who blames Taiwanese government and media that are always eager to consume their achievement but paid no attention to many striving Taiwanese athletes-including Taiwanese tennis player Rendy(Yen Hsun) Lu who just beat Andy Roddick at Wimbleton...
Global: Statistics on Countries Participating in World Cup
SRF from GeoCurrent Events blog writes about the economic geography of the 2010 FIFA World Cup participant countries.
Spain: The Prospect of Catalonia Competing On Its Own
The participation of the Spanish National Team in the 2010 World Cup renews the debate whether the autonomous community of Catalonia should send its own team to the international competition.
Africa: The vuvuzelization of world football
“The vuvuzela, much like Ghana’s Black Stars, has beaten odds to become more than a cheering instrument. It has now attained the status of an African metaphor for the unacknowledged ways in which Africa determines particular discourses at the global level,” writes Steven Sharra.
Ghana: It was David vs Goliath
USA 2-1 loss to Ghana shows that economic might is not might everywhere, argues Ghanaian blogger Emmanuel Bensah.
Uruguay: Celebrating Advancement to Quarter Finals
Agarrate Montevideo [es] posted pictures and videos of Uruguayans celebrating their team's advancement to quarter finals in the 2010 FIFA World Cup after beating South Korea 2-1; it is the first time in 40 years that the Uruguayan team reaches quarter finals in a World Cup.
Zimbabwe: Celebrating World Cup in Harare
Bev Clark on celebrating the World Cup in Harare, Zimbabwe: “Some of the Kubatana team have been moving around various pubs in Harare to watch world cup games. Our favourite haunt so far is Boleros in Chisipite.”
Japan and the World Cup: Silencing the critics
Ranked near the bottom of the 32 teams on the field in South Africa, facing odds estimated at 400-to-1 and four straight pre-tournament losses to boot, Japan was not even expected to win a game in this year's World Cup. But with their convincing 3-1 win over Denmark, perceptions have completely changed, propelling coach Takashi Okada from the butt of all jokes to a national hero.
Hungary: Pál Schmitt, a Presidential Nominee
Hungarian Spectrum writes (here and here) about Pál Schmitt, the current speaker of the National Assembly and a nominee for the Hungarian presidency.
Myanmar: Soldiers steal buffaloes for TV
The Shan Herald reported that Myanmar soldiers near the Thailand-Myanmar border stole buffaloes in order to acquire a TV and satellite broadcast of the World Cup games.
Myanmar: Sports magazines enjoying higher sales
The Irrawaddy reports that sports magazines are enjoying higher sales in Myanmar because of the World Cup 2010
Ghana: Obama, we are sorry
“Obama we are sorry,” says Ghanaian photographer and blogger Nana following Ghana victory USA at the FIFA World Cup: “It’s quite unfortunate you’d have to skip dinner today. We know you’ve been terribly stressed lately: BP, Flotilla, Health Reform, Overweight recruits… and then this happens.”
South Africa: The social media world of vuvuzelas
Can't get enough of vuvuzelas? Or perhaps the opposite is the case. Here are a series of social media links devoted to everything vuvuzela.
Algeria: Defeat by USA Brings the Country Back to Earth
Algerians went from hope to disillusion as their team lost to USA in additional time. Bloggers react to the end of the world cup journey for their country.
Peru: Chess World Champions Visit Lima
For two days, Lima hosted the two chess champions, Gary Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov. They both came for an exhibition game, where they played against 25 children. Although football is the king of all sports in Peru, and in spite of Peruvian chess being banned from international competitions, the news didn't go unnoticed for some bloggers.
Paraguay: Match Against New Zealand Paralyzes Country
Paraguay is playing New Zealand in the World Cup for their opportunity to make it to the second round. The blog Rescatar [es] reports that buses that are normally packed in the morning were empty today; and, although productivity is down, everyone is hopeful about the result.
Martinique, Guadeloupe: French Football Flop now Racial Controversy?
The French national football team has been through some rough times prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but the past three days have stirred up old issues around "Les Bleus". Bloggers follow the play.
South Africa: Definitions of Vuvuzela
Four interesting definitions of Vuvuzela from Vuvuzelas for Africa.
