World Cup Mania

As an American who grew up a baseball fan, I find it very difficult to grasp the massive effect that the world cup has on Israel, and just about every other country in the Western world. The World Cup, like the Olympics, happens every four years and if I am not mistaken, soccer, or as they call it in most of the world- football, is even in the Olympics; however, the World Cup is 100 times more visible and followed in Israel. Weeks before the games started, one of the cable companies offered a deal to buy the entire tournament. While few people took them up on their offer, almost every bar, coffee house and restaurant did. On any given evening you can walk down the streets and see enormous screens showing these games. Many places have brought chairs and couches outside where anyone can just stop by for a while to watch the game, and buy a beer if they so desire. Even Ariel’s office bought this subscription and showed a game after work yesterday with drinks on the house. All over Israel people have different country flags flying above their houses in allegiance with the various participating countries. I feel like I am back in Mr. Stone’s 7th grade geography class, trying to guess what country each flag represents. The World Cup is all over the news, always making the headlines, and is even featured in the political cartoons. June and July is prime wedding season and I feel badly for those whose weddings happen to fall on an “important” game. It feels like the entire country just went World Cup crazy and those of us who don’t have a clue better jump on the bandwagon before we get left in the dust.

While I may not understand this fanaticism, I remember what it was like to live in Boston when the Red Sox beat the Yankees for the pennant and then won the World Series. With all of the negative things that happen everyday, why not relax by watching a sports game here and there?