Futebol - Just for a change

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I don’t have a burning desire to write about any of the other World Cup football matches we observed. Needless to say we were most unhappy with the referee and the whole Italian team after the debacle that was Australia’s match in the round of 16 (and just when our second wave of flags and Aussie supporter gear had arrived). The Brazilians didn’t fair much better and after an uninspiring win against Ghana were knocked out by France in the quarter finals (I didn’t join the party which never eventuated due to being sick and unable to move from the couch).

The day after the Brazilian loss it was like emerging into a different city, all evidence of the existence of the World Cup and the associated green and yellow paraphernalia had vanished (not a mean feat given the amount to remove). In the office the general mood was subdued for the best part of a week. World Cup Final came and went with minimal fuss, although we did spend a beautiful afternoon sitting outside at a bar, the sun shining and vague attention being paid to the match.

To this point I have also neglected to mention that Brett and I have been trying our hands (or should it be feet?) at soccer - maybe that’s where we are going wrong! A social game has been organised for every Monday evening with the guys from work. We play on an outdoor, synthetic “court” which is enclosed by nets. The first week Brett played and I observed (he was the only Aussie amongst the Brazilians) and I figured that if he can do it then so can I. We generally divide into 3 teams and rotate playing time with games lasting 10 minutes or until 2 goals are scored, whichever comes first.

My first experience was entertaining. One team wears green bibs to distinguish teammates, but I found that it felt more like wearing a dress which was an interesting start. Although pretty useless I had fun and seemed to do a lot of running around, Brett & I were again the only Aussies and I was the only chick. The unfortunate thing about this match was that it was during Belo’s 10 days of winter and right when Brett’s team was leaving the pitch and my team was entering the heavens opened. Brett didn’t seem too unhappy about the situation (and never returned to the pitch). I looked up into the clubroom during a break in play to see Brett holding up a beer to me in a “cheers” fashion whilst I was absolutely soaking wet and splashing around in the newly formed lakes. Most appreciated!

I had one other opportunity to play before leaving Belo for a while so I drummed up a bit more Aussie support and this time there were five of us (including Tash who was good moral support as a fellow female despite the fact that she has played soccer for a while and clearly knew what was going on). The other highlight for me was being able to wear my snazzy new shoes, blue adidas numbers with diagonal laces - very professional indeed! Stopping and turning on the synthetic turf is not the best on the knees and ankles, thus the shoes were a necessity due to my desire to maintain the continued use of my legs (and look professional, did I say that already?) The games are all great fun and a good opportunity to meet some more people, get to know some of colleagues better and participate in some much needed exercise.

In case I haven’t written enough on football related topics I will now share with you one of the most amazing, energy filled moments I have experienced (ever). We attended a football match, Cruizero versus Corinthians at the major stadium in Belo Horizonte. Cruizero are one of two local teams and are currently top of the table in first division and Corinthian are a team based in Sao Paulo. The game was the first back after the break for the World Cup and held on the Wednesday evening after the World Cup Final.

As everyone is arriving at the game the stadium is surrounded by people selling team paraphernalia, barbequed foodstuffs and of course beer. It is initially intriguing that canned beers being served out of a foam esky come complete with a plastic cup (there doesn’t seem a need to be overly couth). It all becomes clear when you discover that beer may be taken into the stadium if it is in said plastic cup and somehow all of a sudden the concept seems very sensible indeed. (This said we weren’t too unhappy at paying the inflated stadium price of $1.50 for a beer, even if they were only 375mL.)

We filed into the stadium with the masses preparing for a 9:45pm kick-off (on a school night!!) Our tickets included a numbered seat which of course was a complete waste of ink. It did provide some general direction as to where to go once inside the stadium, so in we went, found some vacant seats and were ready to go. Interestingly the stadium is fully seated, however the main function of the seats is provision of something to stand on.

Absorbing the energy of the crowd was an unreal experience. The crowd were singing and chanting when we arrived and didn’t stop the entire time (even when exiting the stadium). The chants were lead by drummers and were known by all, each having its unique actions to accompany them. One included swinging a shirt around your head (Kevin Sheedy scarf style), this shirt was generally the one that was previously being worn - it was a very male dominated crowd, sorry to disappoint. I personally liked it when the shirts were held out by the shoulders making the crowd look like a huge washing line.

Ultimately Cruizero won the match 2-0, but the highlight was the crowd’s energy and passion. These people know how to live life and truly enjoy themselves.

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