Not so long ago, “American Idol” was on everybody’s mind and in every other blog on the website, not to mention its dominance in the press and television news network. For those outside the US who have yet to discover the results of each week’s elimination round, it was a case of trying to avoid the “spoiler alert” each time you either switch on the television set or log onto the website.

And now it’s happening to “2010 FIFA World Cup”. Yup, the football/soccer fever is upon us, one and all!! You see it everywhere. Even at the eateries – television sets predominantly displayed everywhere. Newer and bigger models seemed to have made their appearance all of a sudden. Patrons at these establishments predictably increase in numbers during the football season.

And where do I stand as far as this popular sport is concerned? Well, unfortunately I’m the exception to the rule. Once upon a time, I was an avid fan of the game. I could still remember the crush I had on the late George Best during his prime years on the football field. Of course his good looks had something to do with his popularity with the ladies, but you must agree that he’s quite a wizard with his feet. Anyway, that was a long ago time ago.

Anyhow, another good-looking footballer caught my eye some years back and it was no other than Michael Ballack (who unfortunately did not participate
in “2010 FIFA World Cup”). And because of him, I started to enjoy watching the sport again. And with Oliver Kahn the goalkeeper at the time, the both of them was a treat to watch when they last played together for Germany so many years ago.

While everyone has eyes and ears for the World Cup this time round, I’m busy reading about the 2-year contract which Michael Ballack recently signed with Bayer Leverkusen on June 25, 2010. Yes, he’s leaving Chelsea and returning to his homeland. And hopefully, he’ll play for Germany in the next World Cup some 4 years from now.

So, if anyone was to ask me if I’d watched any of this year’s World Cup matches, I can honestly say that I’d only watched one. Yes, one!! And it’s none other than the one between England and Germany. Yup, the 4-1 win for Germany with the controversial header which was not to be (goal, ie) by England. Somehow, even without my Michael Ballack and Oliver Kahn, I had to see how Germany was doing ‘cos my memory of the passion I felt so many years ago was still burning in my mind. And I must say that even though there were no players that struck my fancy this time round, the teamwork among the Germans were pretty fantastic. They're so disciplined.  Not a single one of them even tried to grab the spotlight.  For the comradeship they displayed so admirably on the field, I might perhaps continue to follow Germany’s progress 'til the very end.  Do they have a shot at the trophy?  Maybe, we'll see...