2010 FIFA World Cup - To Watch Or Not To Watch, That Is The Question!!
http://creativethinkingforwomen.com/articles/64550/1/2010-FIFA-World-Cup---To-Watch-Or-Not-To-Watch-That-Is-The-Question/Page1.html
Doris Lim
Doris Lim, the owner of "CreativeThinkingForWomen.com", has only one thing in mind when she started this niche site, and that is to create awareness to the general public that you don't have to be a "rocket scientist" to have "creative thinking". She believes that no one should be thought of as being smarter or more creative just because one possesses a higher education. Of course, that helps a little. But, she believes that anyone can be taught to "think creatively". All one has to do is tap into that brain one has been born with and bring out the creative side. With so much knowledge and information available on the internet nowadays, it will take alot of effort, energy and time to select the best authors/writers, articles, tips and "how-to's" to come together in a creative process in this niche site and make it the "1-Stop Centre for Creative Thinking". And because Doris is a woman, this website will be dedicated to all "women", thus the name "CreativeThinkingForWomen.com" (Softly whispering... "men" are also welcome to visit).
A little bit of history about Doris. Having both an Asian and European background (Chinese and Portuguese), her thoughts are equally governed by both the East as well as the West. That accounts for her love of the English Language (she's being accused of having a British accent when she converses with Americans) and her obsession with Korean television serials (obviously, she has to make do with English subtitles). But, enough chit-chat.
Her credentials stem from her extensive years of experience working with "great minds" who "think creatively" and "act creatively". She has prepared speeches for politicians, consumer activists, assisted authors and researchers in the production of books and newsletters and also dabbled in the advertising and public relations sector.
Thus her quest now - to boldly go where no mind has gone before (no, we're not watching "Star Trek") and seek the BEST stuff out there in the "Cyber World" in order to share with her readers/subscribers, the various aspects of "Creative Thinking".
By Doris Lim
Published on 07/9/2010
I wasn't sure whether I had intended my thoughts to find its way into print under another featured "Article" Section or "Blog" Section or frankly, even being published at all.
I wasn't sure whether I had intended my thoughts to find its way into print under another featured "Article" Section or "Blog" Section or frankly, even being published at all. If I go strictly by the book, it should end up in the "Blog" Section 'cos it's going to be filled with "rants, raves and ramblings" - lots of it, I promise you!! But since my previous mention of "2010 FIFA World Cup" appeared in the featured "Article" Section, I guess I should do a follow-up over there.
Well, here goes nothing.
Hardly a week or so have passed since my article on Michael Ballack's MIA (missing in action) status and Germany's winning performance in the match with England. Since then, I've been expecting great things from the German squad. And disappoint me they did not when they "beat the crap" out of Argentina in the Quarter Finals. The excitement generated in the 2nd half of the game made me want to belt out my old favorite "Don't Cry For Me Argentina". But that wouldn't be very nice or fair since the players from Argentina did put up a valiant fight. With Miroslav Klose on the German side being the only familiar face to me, it was truly gratifying to see him contribute 2 goals to his team's 4-0 win over Argentina. Yup, Germany sent Maradona's team packing with a 4-0, I repeat, a 4-0 win!!
And to top it off, Michael Ballack was spotted in the background!! Yes, my one and only Michael Ballack!! It surely made my day, seeing him there to revel in Germany's victory. Brought me back to those days when Ballack and Ollie (Oliver Kahn) were the force behind Germany's popularity. It didn't matter if Germany won or lost way back then 'cos it's enough to just view the exciting showmanship displayed by these 2 professional football stars. But of 'cos it was surely more satisfying on those precious occasions when they were victorious. But being a devoted fan as I was and still am, just seeing them perform was reason enough to tune in. Alas as Ollie has since retired!
Now back to the current World Cup. Right after the victory over Argentina, I surely did not expect a "boring" Semi-Finals between Germany and Spain. The slow pace of the 1st half followed by an equally unexciting 2nd half left me speechless. What's going on in the minds of those German players in this particular match? They didn't seem to possess the "spirit" and "will" to overcome their opponents. Even towards the end of the 2nd half, there were no signs of panic or desperation. It's like they did not feel up to it to give their very best. Makes you wonder as to their mental state of mind. Call it "intuition" on my part 'cos I felt that something was really wrong or at least not quite right. In just a few short days, all the German players (with a couple of exceptions) seem to have lost their football "fizz".
So, right after the 1-0 loss to Spain (who undoubtedly deserved to win as they were the more "passionate" team), I decided to surf online to try to uncover the probable causes/reasons behind the German squad's failure in the football arena on that fateful day. Call it co-incidence on their "strange" behaviour on the field but articles that emerged regarding the German team's temporary captain's (what's his name??) comments about wanting to retain his position after the World Cup ends and Michael Ballack's sudden departure just before the Semi-Finals, makes one wonder if the morale and mental state of mind of the German squad was a direct result from these two incidents. Don't these people know that before a crucial game in any event or competition, the mind has to remain stable? It looks and feels like alot might have been on the minds of the players. The coach was quoted as saying that there was "no discord" between Ballack and "what's his name" (the temporary captain guy). Whaddya all think? Well, we'll probably never know for sure if the "untimely" interview had anything to do with the climate and well-being of the German players during the Semi-Finals. What a shame!!
Anyhow, the following is my "2-cents worth" as to why I'll always root for Michael Ballack.
Michael Ballack has accomplished and contributed a great deal in football, not only for his country Germany, but also for the many clubs he's played for, both in and outside Germany as well as on an international level. He has not only popularised the game but also brought fame and glamour to the sport. He is a true professional in his craft and he serves as a reminder to all that when a champion grows older, he should still be respected for the many years he has already given and not be called upon for an early retirement. Certainly not when he still has lots more years left to contribute. To me, he exudes the "X-factor" and personifies the "class" and "dignity" of a real "sports figure" which is so lacking in the young "hotshot" soccer/football players of today. They have much to learn from their "seniors" who have gone through more years, more successes and more defeats than they could ever imagine in their young life.
In a few short hours, the match to determine the Third and Fourth placing in "2010 FIFA World Cup" will convene. But I have lost my enthusiasm to watch and witness the outcome. Like what I said in my earlier post/article, without Michael Ballack, the game no longer holds much interest. Sigh...
Well, here goes nothing.
Hardly a week or so have passed since my article on Michael Ballack's MIA (missing in action) status and Germany's winning performance in the match with England. Since then, I've been expecting great things from the German squad. And disappoint me they did not when they "beat the crap" out of Argentina in the Quarter Finals. The excitement generated in the 2nd half of the game made me want to belt out my old favorite "Don't Cry For Me Argentina". But that wouldn't be very nice or fair since the players from Argentina did put up a valiant fight. With Miroslav Klose on the German side being the only familiar face to me, it was truly gratifying to see him contribute 2 goals to his team's 4-0 win over Argentina. Yup, Germany sent Maradona's team packing with a 4-0, I repeat, a 4-0 win!!
And to top it off, Michael Ballack was spotted in the background!! Yes, my one and only Michael Ballack!! It surely made my day, seeing him there to revel in Germany's victory. Brought me back to those days when Ballack and Ollie (Oliver Kahn) were the force behind Germany's popularity. It didn't matter if Germany won or lost way back then 'cos it's enough to just view the exciting showmanship displayed by these 2 professional football stars. But of 'cos it was surely more satisfying on those precious occasions when they were victorious. But being a devoted fan as I was and still am, just seeing them perform was reason enough to tune in. Alas as Ollie has since retired!
Now back to the current World Cup. Right after the victory over Argentina, I surely did not expect a "boring" Semi-Finals between Germany and Spain. The slow pace of the 1st half followed by an equally unexciting 2nd half left me speechless. What's going on in the minds of those German players in this particular match? They didn't seem to possess the "spirit" and "will" to overcome their opponents. Even towards the end of the 2nd half, there were no signs of panic or desperation. It's like they did not feel up to it to give their very best. Makes you wonder as to their mental state of mind. Call it "intuition" on my part 'cos I felt that something was really wrong or at least not quite right. In just a few short days, all the German players (with a couple of exceptions) seem to have lost their football "fizz".
So, right after the 1-0 loss to Spain (who undoubtedly deserved to win as they were the more "passionate" team), I decided to surf online to try to uncover the probable causes/reasons behind the German squad's failure in the football arena on that fateful day. Call it co-incidence on their "strange" behaviour on the field but articles that emerged regarding the German team's temporary captain's (what's his name??) comments about wanting to retain his position after the World Cup ends and Michael Ballack's sudden departure just before the Semi-Finals, makes one wonder if the morale and mental state of mind of the German squad was a direct result from these two incidents. Don't these people know that before a crucial game in any event or competition, the mind has to remain stable? It looks and feels like alot might have been on the minds of the players. The coach was quoted as saying that there was "no discord" between Ballack and "what's his name" (the temporary captain guy). Whaddya all think? Well, we'll probably never know for sure if the "untimely" interview had anything to do with the climate and well-being of the German players during the Semi-Finals. What a shame!!
Anyhow, the following is my "2-cents worth" as to why I'll always root for Michael Ballack.
Michael Ballack has accomplished and contributed a great deal in football, not only for his country Germany, but also for the many clubs he's played for, both in and outside Germany as well as on an international level. He has not only popularised the game but also brought fame and glamour to the sport. He is a true professional in his craft and he serves as a reminder to all that when a champion grows older, he should still be respected for the many years he has already given and not be called upon for an early retirement. Certainly not when he still has lots more years left to contribute. To me, he exudes the "X-factor" and personifies the "class" and "dignity" of a real "sports figure" which is so lacking in the young "hotshot" soccer/football players of today. They have much to learn from their "seniors" who have gone through more years, more successes and more defeats than they could ever imagine in their young life.
In a few short hours, the match to determine the Third and Fourth placing in "2010 FIFA World Cup" will convene. But I have lost my enthusiasm to watch and witness the outcome. Like what I said in my earlier post/article, without Michael Ballack, the game no longer holds much interest. Sigh...