General Discussion

DonCoquixote

(13,616 posts) Tue Jul 8, 2014, 01:41 PM Jul 2014

For Brazil, Winning Trumps Aesthetics

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/08/sports/worldcup/world-cup-2014-brazil-eschews-the-beautiful-game-for-more-rugged-style.html?_r=0

"The 2014 World Cup, which happens to be playing out on Brazil’s own stage, has dispelled one of sports’ most entrenched (if somewhat mythical) beliefs: that Brazilian soccer is a showcase of tempo and timbre designed, above all else, to enthrall and entertain.

In truth, Brazil plays a rather ugly version of soccer these days, unapologetically pursuing that which every other team in the world chases: wins.

It is working, too. While o jogo bonito may be dead, few here are mourning — least of all the fans who will pack the Estádio Mineirão on Tuesday when Brazil faces Germany in the semifinals, two victories away from its record sixth World Cup title."

It is sad that just as we Americans begin to start liking Futbol, the folks that defined it seem to want to abandon what made it great, all for winning, which of course is the great American excuse for being ruthless and crude. Enjoy your Cup Brazil, just realize that you may have paid a very bad price, the same price many of your people felt when they got bulldozed out of their homes to hold this cup.