The thought today

"I can never fully and truly love any person till I hate even one person on the planet."

The thought today

"There is no greater thing in this world than to be human."

Spain gain

Spain lost their first game. Holland lost their last match. And that made all the difference. It wasn't a great final. Spain didn't exactly catch anyone's imagination during the World Cup. The attention was on Germany and Argentina. Spain played to win, and win they did. Germany and Holland coaches acknowledged the superiority of the Spanish side whose midfield they say is one of the strongest in the world. There is a new World Champion. But did i enjoy watching Spain? But then they came to a competition to win and not to entertain. They were not flamboyant.They were persevering and committed. I won't say they were boring, but they didn't exactly make me sit and exclaim 'wow, beautiful game'. The World Cup is over. It was a great effort by South Africa as host. It was great for the continent too. The closing ceremony had some great moments. The lasers, projections and off course Mr. Mandela. Barring a few games though, it wasn't exactly a thrilling world cup. Not so for Shakira, who has become a household phenomenon the world over with numerous parodies of Waka Waka doing the rounds. She will be thrilled more as Rafa Nadal's nation has won the World Cup ( and he is winning Grand slams on the trot). Must be the best time of her life. As for me, I realized that I can no longer sit the midnight like before. And yes, Paul was right. Again. Truly a freak phenomenon. Who says Indians are superstitious?

yehi hai right choice

See. Do.

The Thought Today

"One can't be creative when one is seeking approval."

Paul gets it right

Spain have stopped the German juggernaut. The pre-tournament favorites and regining european champs are in the finals. After losing their first game of the tournament, they are peaking at the right time, while Holland is yet undefeated. It's been paul the octopus whi has been getting the predictions right. What will he predict for the finals? I am sure this time it will be Paul who will be under pressure. He is expected to get it right, and it's the final. He got the Euro finals prediction wrong. The Germans went numb as they could not come to terms with the tag of favorites after the quarter final win over Argentina. Will Paul feel the pressure? Who will it be? Holland? Spain? I think it's going to be a tight final. One thing is for sure. A new country in the World Cup roll of honour. More than the final, I am keen about Paul. Will he? :)

This time for Europe

One world cup record is certain to be broken. No European team has won the World CUp outside of Europe. With the Dutch now in the finals, it's certain that a European team is going to lift the title. Got to give it to them. They have held their nerves and handled the big moments better. They have also shown flair. As for the Latin Americans, this could be the beginning of sterner tests ahead. They are being weighed down by their own expectations. They are crumbling under pressure. The other nations are fast gaining parity. The Asians have done really well in this edition and will only get better. When the next World Cup is held in Brazil - it will be very interesting. For now, if Germany falls today we will have a new nation winning the cup. The Dutch have have been the perpetual underperformers, much like South Africa in cricket world cup. This could be their time. Or Will it be the Spanish armada. As for the Germans, it's now that their temperament will be really tested. It's not easy to win when you are expected to win. Let's see.

Rafa, Lee & the falling giants

Nadal has done it twice what I always felt was next to impossible. Win French open and Wimbledon on the trot. The man deserves an ovation.And there is another man, at 37 in tennis no longer young, but winning his 12th Grand Slam. Leander Paes might be one of those Indian players with great killer instinct. Infact he was the first Indian player in any sport that I remember to have pumped his fist and played with his heart, guts and hands.The spirit is still there. Makes me feel proud of being an Indian. Saina is doing the same thing. The olympic Gold will be great. Some of the giants have been on a slide. Tiger, Federer and Schumacher on a comeback. It's time fot the next gen. As Germany showed. Brazil and Argentina went out of the world cup in contrasting ways. I am no psychic or an expert, but I dare say I felt Brazil went out by way of arrogance while Argentina, the nerves got beter of them. Brazilian players behaved like they were1-0 down when they were actually leading. They were opposing every whistle of the Japanese referee. It was almost as if they knew they are going to lose this match even after leading. The frustration was evident but hard to explain. They behaved as if the how could a Japanese referee teach the Brazilians how to play right. They lost. While the Argentinians looked tense, too eager to win and just went blank in front of the German goal. I have never seen them hit so many feeble shots at the goal. Maradona surprisingly took the defeat in a dignified manner. He was shattered, and it was a shame that the world's best footballer didnt score a goal. Messi was great but they lost. The Germans look to be like marauders on a run. Very fast. Fit and precise. Who says German footbal is boring. It has been delightful. It would be sad fi they don't lift the cup. I had seen the German team winning in 1990. Matthaus, Klinsmann, Voeller, Brehme and Co. Very clinicial but not so very free flowing. May be Ballack's absence has helped. Stars can sometimes be a liability. So, the table have turned and its 3 European teams and one Latin American. Will the dark horse create history? As for the giants, wait for 2014.