The Citizen, 1998-07-01, Page 8PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1998.
ports
From the sidelines
The world's most
beautiful game
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Outta there!
Brussels Tigers firstbaseman, Doug Shaw goes for the out
in this game against the Walton Brewers on Friday night.
By Hugh
Nichol
It gently
blows across
the continents
of Mother
Earth arousing
our senses,
calling us by
name. Its charm is seductive,
compulsive, its aura suggestive and
obsessive, its touch alluring,
enticing, almost criminal.
In the words of country music star
Faith Hill "It's centrifugal motion,
it's perpetual bliss, it's that pivotal
moment".
The impact is remarkable, more
influential than El Nino, its mere
presence literally brings countries to
an economic halt.
Its been called the world's most
beautiful game, the pinnacle of
soccer. Welcome to World Cup '98.
So immense the magnitude, so
magnetizing the attraction that even
the strike of Air France, the official
airline of World Cup '98, failed to
hinder millions of arrivals from
scattering throughout the French
countryside. Nor did the presence of
military personnel all placed on high
alert supposedly in case of terrorist
attack, but more likely to control the
influx of the English.
These hooligans of the British
Isles, renowned for pubs, pints and
pugilism, have been under constant
surveillance since their behaviour
led to the deaths of 39 Italian fans at
the 1985 European championship.
Yet in the eyes of FIFA
(Federation Internationale de
Football Association) they are
deemed no more dangerous than the
Dutch, Arabs, or South Africans so
therefore admittance is gi-anted.
FIFA is the governing body of
world class soccer. Organizers of
the first World Cup in 1930 the
tradition has been held every four
years with the exception of a two-
time hiatus in 1942 and 1946 due to
world ar.
Brazil is the only country to have
fielded a team in every tournament,
and although the Germans have the
most final appearances, it is the
Brazilians the people have come to
watch.
The only four time World Cup
winners continue to entertain fans
with a style that embodies the spirit
of adventurous soccer, their efforts
A solid effort by both teams
along with some friendly goalposts
made for an exciting soccer match
on June 23 as the Elma II U-11
team visited the Brussels Ull-B2s
on their home turf.
The B2s held the edge early in
the game with several good
chances. Doug Schnock fired his
first goal of the year past the Elma
goalie to give Brussels a one goal
lead.
Elma charged back but were
repeatedly turned away by the B2
full-backs, Nathan Murray, Mitch
Blake, Steven "Petey" McNichol
and Emily Cardiff.
borne of sweat and sacrifice.
Off field they are a media's
delight, the New York Yankees of
soccer. Their team filled with
controversy, conflict, inflated egos
and non-existent humility. so
powerful is their presence they
believe the only team capable of
beating them would be a second
Brazilian team.
British sportswriter Jeff Powell
once wrote "While France dreams,
Argentina presumes, Italy believes,
Germany expects, and England
bravely hopes, Brazil knows it will
win the World Cup."
The attraction for myself is less
than romantic possibly because my
16-inch television screen is unable
to capture the full atmosphere of the
event. Not totally ignorant of the
game, I do recognize the legendary
names of Franz Backenbauer, Diego
Maradona, Paolo Rossi, and of
course Pele but I fail to see how the
French play with emotion rather
than composure, Nigeria has an
affection for speed and spontaneity,
while Spain relies on flair and
technique.
I occasionally wonder why with
our multi-cultural society we can
not put together a world class
Canadian soccer program when
unknown countries such as
Cameroon and Tunisia manage to
qualify. Maybe we should follow
the lead of the Americans who have
seven players born and raised
abroad, each of whom managed to
obtain U.S. citizenship in time for
the tournament.
For the masters of merchandising
this is the Godzilla of advertising. A
viewing audience of billions
reaching for their mastercards with
the same grace, elegance and
regularity of a referee flashing a
yellow card. To the individual there
is unlimited fame and fortune
available through marketing rights,
royalties and endorsements.
In 1966 Geoff Hurst scored three
goals in the final game to give
England its only World Cup trophy.
His reward: knighthood bestowed
by Queen Elizabeth who I am sure
never hiked up her skirt to kick a
soccer ball in her life.
And finally does it not amaze that
in our era of prejudice, poverty, and
territorial conflict a simple game of
sport brings the world together in
peace, if only for a few months?
In the second half, with the sun at
their backs, Elma continued to
press and finally evened the score
on a beautiful net-wide pass and tip
in. Both teams continued to play
hard for the win, each having some
excellent chances.
Goalies in both ends made some
excellent saves. Elma shooters rang
at least one shot off the post and
had some other near misses.
Brussels also had several good
chances, one of the closest on a
heads-up passing play by Lindsay
Malhiot to Blake Griffiths.
After such a close game, neither
team was disappointed when it
ended in a 1-1 tie.
U-9s edge
Listowel
The U-9 Brussels II team met
with Listowel I on Monday, June
22 at Eastdale Public School for the
first time this season!
Brussels started the game short
one player, but soon after the game
began an additional six members of
the team came to help out on the
field. Strong efforts on the forward
lines came from Mike Donkers,
Nicole and Christie Sippel, Shalin
Diehl, and Janelle Bondi in the first
half.
However, neither goalie Cayli
Hunt, TiOF defensive players Sara
Baker and Nathon Prior could
prevent Listowel Natalie Robinson
from putting the ball in the net
shortly after the start of the game.
Down but not defeated, Brussels
came back in the second half even
stronger than before. Halfback
Justin '2,edard of Brussels, scored
the tying goal on a penalty shot.
Good defensive work in the
second half was provided by Lance
Stafford, Mike Lefor, Baker and
the Sippels. Hunt also saved a few
good shots from going in, and the
game remained tied until the end of
the game.
Markus Schwartz of Brussels
helped to move the ball up the field
along with fellow halfback Prior.
Bondi also put a good effort in
bringing the ball up the field and
into Listowel penalty area.
However, it was Tyler Deitner of
Brussels whose persistence and
skill finally paid off. After getting
hold of the ball he belted it into the
net, scoring Brussels second goal of
the game.
The final score was 2-1 for
Brussels.
Belmore
beats
Belgrave
Consistent run-scoring by Bel-
more and quiet Belgrave PeeWee
Girls 'Nits resulted in a 20-8 loss,
June 22.
Held silent in the first, Belgrave
allowed the home team to tally
three in the bottom of the inning.
They took the lead temporarily
in the second with five runs, only
to see Belmore serge ahead with
seven of their own.
Pulling closer with three in the
third, the two-run deficit would be
narrowest as Belmore went on to
score 10 in the final three at-bats.
Pitching for Belgrave was Jenny
Skinn, Jenni Hopf, with one strike-
out and Lisa Black with three.
"The girls started out good in the
field," said Coach Karrin Marks,"
but couldn't get their bats going to
keep up with the Belmore runs."
Dynamites
triumph
A 6:30 p.m. June 23 game at
Listowel ended in a 10 - 0 score for
the brussels U-7 Dynamites.
Scoring goals were Evan
Ducharme, Ben Gowing, Justin
Pipe, Taylor Prior, Cody Subject
and Brianne Wheeler. Great team
work was displayed by Nicholas
Durrell, Thomas Johnston, Jonas
Schwarz, Sean Slater, Ryan Smith,
Emily Warwick and Danica Zwep.
A new mei::oer to the team Brian
Burges also put forth a great effort.
Brussels, Elma U-1 1s tie it up