Well, well...

If any of you actually read this or anything I post, I do apologize if you put your money on Brazil. In my last post regarding the World Cup, I stated that this was Brazil's tournament and that they would indeed beat the Netherlands. I was obviously wrong as the Brazilians lost on a goal scored by one of its on players, an unfortunate mistake. However, I did state at the end, that with all that I had said about Brazil, etc, etc, that the Netherlands would pull off the upset. That was not a prediction, that was an attempt to cover my @$$. Irregardless, it doesn't matter. Nobody, who reads this blog, really cares to read about The World Cup anyway and I am sure that many wonder why in world that I am still posting about this soccer tournament. Well, it is rather exciting considering that the world of soccer only plays this tournament every four years, so you inevitably get the best and unfortunately the worst out of the players involved. Take a look at France, who had all sorts of team problems with players and coaches. And lets not forget about Italy, who was a favorite to make some noise in the tournament but didn't get out of the Group stage. Italy won the last World Cup, four years ago. That is a long time to think about this, that and the other for the players representing there country. What if Pro Football didn't have a Super Bowl every year? Highly unlikely that would ever happen, but what if? By the time the next chance came around, some players may be past there prime, etc. That is the scenario in Soccer.

In addition, and I hope and pray nothing like this happens, but there is an ESPN movie from there "30 for 30" series entitled "The Two Escobars". The story line follows through the rise and fall of the Colombian soccer team and there amazing run to get into the 1994 World Cup, which was hosted by the USA. It also parallels the control of the famed Colombian Drug Lord, Pablo Escobar and how drug money basically controlled soccer in the country at that time and the manner in which Pablo took care of the poor of Columbia in a robin hood like fashion. Obviously, there were many deaths, this was Columbia during the height of the drug war. However, Pablo was an avid soccer fan. Even known to keep a small radio with him to listen to matches regardless of how closely he was being chased when he was being hunted. Crime and sport is the best way to describe this movie.

So, the Colombian team makes the World Cup and about the same time, Pablo's reign is coming to an end in the nation of Columbia and he is taken down. The scene from Pablo's funeral was incredible. Well, on the Colombian team there captain is a talented defender named Andres Escobar, no relation. In the World Cup, the Colombian team loses the first match and are met with a slew of threats from the new criminal empire forming in Colombia. The bookies took a big hit on the Colombian loss and there manner of justice is different from ours. In the second match of the group stage (first round) they are taking on the USA. This is a must win for the Colombian team and they feel confident because they had played the US in friendly matches on several occasions and won them all, but they don't win that day. The US prevails largely in part to a mistake made by Captain, Andres Escobar. Andres was trying to deflect an errant US goal attempt and the goalie got way out of position and the ball rolled into the net. Back home, a slew of threats ensue and all players are fitted with bodyguards and they are desperately concerned for there lives. Andres makes a venture out one evening because he wants to show his face, he wants to in some way, start the healing. He knows what he has done, but it was a mistake and he really wants the people to accept that he had made a mistake. Unfortunately, his mistake cost him his life. The same group of people that had a significant role in the ousting of one time drug lord Pablo Escobar, also took it upon themselves to deal justice on Andres Escobar following an argument outside a local club. It was and is a sad ending to any a movie that I have ever seen because it actually happened. It was a real account. It is a good movie because the inspiration that the Colombian team gave to a nation that was ripped apart by violence, corruption and crime. It just had a very sad and unfortunate finish. I really do hope that type of action no longer has a place in this world. I know things are different outside of this Country and things are different in this Country, but a mistake is a mistake and there is no need to resort to violence to solve the matter. It only makes it worse.