Tag Archive for 'FIFA World Cup'

The FIFA 2010 World Cup Draws to a Close

mathew published on July 12, 2010 in art and zeitgeist. 3 Comments Tags: , .

We have been following the World Cup for a month, and now it has come to a close! I can tell you most South Africans are very relieved to get back to their normal lives, but they loved having the World Cup while they did. Being in the country during the World Cup revamped all my excitement. I feel like I have come back revving to go, re-inspired, reenergised, and renewed! With the World Cup ending we must bring this special SuperForest segment to a close as well! So, let us recap the Semi Finals, the third/forth place match, and the FINAL!

Holland took on Uruguay in the first Semi Final. The game was pitted with goals and excitement, and from being on the ground I can tell you unless you were Uruguayan you were rooting for Holland. The Oranje were everywhere. The game ended in a dramatic 3-2 score to Holland. The game also featured one of the finest goals of the tournament, check it out!

The second semi saw Spain take on the ever more powerful Germany. The Germans were lacking their star young player Müller due to suspension, and how much this effected the games outcome has been debated, but we’ll never know for sure. This is the game I was personally at, so I will let the opening ceremony and kick-off get you into the vibe!

The game drew out into the last minutes when Carlos Puyol headed in the header to win the match for Spain, sending them into the FIFA World Cup Final!

Germany and Uruguay went at it in the 3rd and 4th place game. The game was the day before the Final, and so was less hyped, but it was a great game none-the-less. Germany played a younger side than usual, which is saying a lot since they already had a younger squad than other teams. This didn’t stop them from playing their brilliant game though. Uruguay did however have the powers of Diego Forlán on their side. The game was level at 1-1 at half time, but Germany would pull ahead later on to finish the game 3 – 2, becoming the first team to place 3rd in two consecutive World Cups.

Next came the Final itself: Netherlands v. Spain. This game was full of history before kick-off. The end of the first World Cup in Africa. The result would see the first European team to win outside of the European continent, AND a brand new FIFA World Cup Champion, as neither team had won it before. In a brutal game of many fouls and yellow cards, and one red one, Spain would emerge as victors thanks to Andrés Iniesta’s goal. 1 – 0 would be the final score line! Spain became just the third team to ever hold the European Champions title AND the FIFA World Champions title!

(Via.)

It has been a fantastic World Cup and it has been a real pleasure sharing it with all of you. I am sad to see it come to an end, but you know what SuperForest? This SuperForest special segment will see you in four years in Brasil! Cheers & love!

To sign us off, Shakira’s closing ceremony concert for the FIFA World Cup 2010! Enjoy! Waka Waka!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0KCrOeSrMU&feature=related

World Cup Update: Semi-Finals Here We Come!

mathew published on July 3, 2010 in superforest journal and zeitgeist. 1 Comment Tags: , , .

Hello SuperForest!  World Cup update here!  Today saw the last game in the Quarter Finals be played, and now we have our semifinalists!

On Tuesday July 6, 2010 Uruguay will take on Holland in Green Point Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa.

(Green Point Stadium, Via.)

AND ON Wednesday July 7, 2010 I, SuperForester Mathew (I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS), will be watching Spain (the first time they have made to the Semi Finals EVER!) take on Germany in Durban Stadium, Durban, South Africa!

(Durban Stadium, Via.)

And for all of you that couldn’t watch the Quarter Finals here is a quick recap thanks to ESPN!

CLICK HERE! (Sorry the embed doesn’t work!)

I highly recommend you check out that video, and see some of the great action that happened in these Quarter Finals (that weren’t without controversy!)

Next World Cup Update will, hopefully, be coming from South Africa! So, stay tuned!!  (Again, I am hoping to find internet access while there!)  Get excited SuperForest!

In footy pride,

Mathew

World Cup: On to the Quarter Finals

mathew published on July 1, 2010 in superforest journal and zeitgeist. 1 Comment Tags: , .
We have been following the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa since the beginning. This is the update from the Round of 16, and a preview for the Quarter Finals.

Ghana, Uruguay, Brasil, Germany, Netherlands, Paraguay, Spain, and Argentina all move to the next luscious stage of the World Cup. All those teams sent home the U.S.A., South Korea, Chile, England, Slovakia, Japan, Portugal, and Mexico respectively. Personally, it was a tough Round of 16 to watch. Seeing your country sent home can be so painful, but it also leaves a feeling of hope for the next time around. I can fully say that I am proud of the U.S. football team, and that I am happy to support Ghana as they move on. I would love to see an African team move on into the next round, but Ghana will have to dispatch a very powerful Uruguayan team first.

If you haven’t been following this tournament the time is to start is now! The next two days will see four more teams move onto the Semifinals, and for the Semifinal game in Durban on July 7th I am happy to tell you that I will be posting in-game footage as I will be there!  I am so excited!  So, for the next two days four games will be fought out by eight teams!  Here are the fixtures:

All times in EST

Friday, July 2, 2010 – Holland v. Brasil 10:00 & Uruguay v. Ghana 14:30

Saturday, July 3, 2010 – Argentina v. Germany 10:00 & Paraguay v. Spain 14:30

You can’t go wrong when watching these games.  These teams have everything to lose and everything to gain.  Each country will be holding its breath for 90 minutes.  In fact, in Brasil most business close down for the playoff stage of the World Cup, and even schools close down!  That is love for a team, and that is how much pride is involved in these games.  Here is a quick video showing the pride that comes with the World Cup (once again featuring my favourite song “Wavin’ Flag”):

May the best team win, and may each country’s collective heart sing with the fullest of pride.

In anticipation,

Mathew

World Cup Update: End of Round One!

mathew published on June 25, 2010 in celebrity. 1 Comment Tags: .

Hello dearest SuperForesters!

Today marks the end of the first stage of the 2010 World Cup.  We are now moving into the ever exciting knockout stages!  Starting tomorrow 16 teams will face off to get into the next round of 8!  As Arsenal F.C. manager Arséne Wenger stated, “The real competition starts in the knockout stages.”  So hold on to your seats ladies, gentleman, and SuperForesters things are about to get exciting!  Already passions are flaring, but if you think you have seen the extent of excitement, passion, disbelief, and all the other wonderful emotions think again.  This party just got started!

TOMORROW – Second Round BEGINS!

Uruguay v South Korea 10:00 EST

USA v Ghana 14:30 EST

Here is the bracket to this point:

(Via.)

The true glory of the World Cup is starting now, so be sure to be a part of it!  If your country has made it to the next round be sure to wear your colours when they play!  Best of luck to all teams and countries here on in.

Much love,

Mathew

World Cup Update – June 24, 2010

mathew published on June 24, 2010 in superforest journal and zeitgeist. 0 Comments Tags: .

Hellooo SuperForest!

I mark my return to you with a quick recap of everything World Cup! SO MUCH has happened. There has been heartache and joy.  Nations have fallen into ruin with the teams and nations have risen above and beyond lifted by their heroes. Where to start?

Perhaps best to start with upsets, and move onto the joys.  Last World Cup’s finalist have now left this World Cup in the very first round.  Italy and France have crashed out in what their country’s are calling major disgraces.  Both teams are always expected to do well, especially since they were both finalists last time around.  As unfortunate it is to see this two heavy weights fall short, it is even more exciting to see less regular teams making into the second phase of the tournament.  Every African team as well has fallen out of the tournament, except for Ghana who finished second in their group under Germany.  And though this may not be surprising, as few thought they would make it from their group, the host nation, South Africa, has failed to progress.  Be this as it may, South Africa went out in style, beating France 2-1.  The country could not be prouder, and the support for the Bafana Bafana (The Boys, The Boys) couldn’t be any higher.  These 23 men have unified this African country in a magnificent way, and better yet the South African excitement for hosting the World Cup hasn’t died with their team getting knocked out.  Another country that is immensely proud of its team is New Zealand.  Their team entered the competition as relative unknowns and left the tournament impressing all teams they played.  The “All Whites” made their country proud.

Now for the exciting tales of heroism and success!  Uruguay and Mexico leave group A, with Uruguay on top. Both teams have played well and certainly deserve advancement.  Group B featured some of the best play of the tournament thus far with Argentina leading the group with South Korea advancing with them.  Argentina has played some of the most impassioned football yet, and it is a pure joy to watch their players sincerely ENJOY the game they are playing.  If you get a chance WATCH these boys play.  Now for my favourite group yet: Group C.  The last day in this group has been the most exciting day of the tournament.  The teams featured were the underplaying England, the soccer playing USA, the impressive Slovenia, and the African Algerians.  The USA and England both needed wins to progress, and few expected much from England at this point.  But they scraped by with a 1-0 win over Slovenia, allowing them to progress and putting on the pressure for the USA who now needed to win to stay in the tournament.  The USA had played Slovenia a few days earlier and had a magnificent comeback from 2 goals down.  They DID score a winning goal, but it was ruled invalid because of a mysterious foul that no replay showed happened.  Had the goal been allowed they would have already progressed before the last games.  So, when it came to facing Algeria and needing that vital win, the USA had to really step it up.  The game was action packed with the USA outplaying their opponents, but they failed to score over and over again.  In fact another goal was disallowed that shouldn’t have been.  You could feel hearts breaking (mine certainly was).  The breath and heart beat of a country had stopped as it watch its team fight on and on.  And fight on the USA team did. Watch these highlights (embedding has been disabled).

The USA finished top of its group, above the mighty English.  It is being said that that goal scored, coupled with the disallowed goals, has brought football to the shores of the United States in a way thought impossible by many for many years.  This game was HUGE!

Later that day Germany and Ghana progressed from their groups with minimal action.  Today the World Cup holders, Italy, fell with a big bang to Slovakia.  That game saw Slovakia progress with Paraguay (they finished first).  As I have already mentioned, Italy going out is a huge upset, but it allows lesser known teams to shine, and that can only be good!  The football world is seeing a more competitive game, where any country can compete.  That, my lovely SuperForest friends, is beautiful.  Then later today, the Dutch (Yay Julius!) and the Japanese both progressed from their group!  And that is all the action up to now.  Tomorrow features some big games.  They are as follows:

North Korea v Ivory Coast 10:00 Eastern US Time

Portugal v Brasil 10:00 – though both teams have already progressed to the next round this game could be fantastic, so keep your eye out for it!

Switzerland v Honduras 14:30

Chile v Span 14:30 – Both the 14:30 games should be widely entertaining as this group is wide, wide open!  Here is that groups standings:

(via.)

That will be the end of the first round of this World Cup, so afterwards I will let you know what happens and then share the bracket as it stands for the next round of 16!  I hope you are all well, and I hope you are all enjoying this wonderful tournament.  Nations’ hearts have broke, but many more have been lifted into song.  Can’t wait for the next part of this journey.  GO USA & LANDON DONAVAN!

(via.)

Mathew’s Journal (15/6/10): Off to Ireland

mathew published on June 15, 2010 in superforest journal. 4 Comments Tags: , , , .

Dear SuperForest,

Today I take off across the Atlantic for a tour of western Ireland.  I am visiting the beautiful towns of Dingle, Aran Islands, Doolin, and Sligo!  I am hoping to keep you all up to date with fresh posts, delicious pictures, and tons of video!  Hopefully that will be as I go, but I cannot promise anything as I am not sure of my internet connectability (Note on “connectability”: it should seriously be a word).  So, because of potentially erratic internet I may not be posting often this week, but if that is the case I will be overwhelming all of you with awesomeness when I get back!

This also means a potential delay in World Cup Updates, but I will continue where I left off once I get back (if I don’t have internet!).  So whether I am posting this upcoming week or not, get excited!!!  Now I have to back to watching the Brasil & North Korea game!

Here is to hoping I can update you all everyday, and if I can’t know I will miss you dearly.  Traveling is so much fun!  I highly recommend all of you do it as soon as you can, and as much as you can.  The world is the most fantastic place to live, we are all extremely lucky!

Farewell SuperForest!

Mathew

Day Two in South Africa

mathew published on June 12, 2010 in celebrity, superforest journal and zeitgeist. 3 Comments Tags: .

Heeellllooooo SuperForest!

Mathew here, reporting the second day of World Cup action!  All games are big games in the World Cup, but today saw one especially big one, England v. U.S.A.!  I’ll get to that game soon. First we had both Group B games: South Korea v. Greece (final score 2-0 South Korea) & Argentina v. Nigeria (1-0 Argentina).  That means both South Korea and Argentina receive three points, and are on top of their group!  The points system (in case you don’t know) is as follows: three points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss.  In basic terms, the team with most points at the end wins the group.  There are rules about teams with the same amount of points, but I won’t explain them here.  If you are curious at all to find out more about football (soccer) go HERE!

Both those games were very exciting, and I recommend you go watch the replays on ESPN.  The game I really want to get to is the England v. U.S. game.  It was hyped up nonstop.  Every free moment commentators would mention the game up coming.  It has been the talk of the town.  England has been picked as favourites for the tournament, and the U.S. is expected to show its growth as a footballing country.  Not to mention their special relationship, former colony v. former coloniser.  The game opened up quickly with England scoring in the 4th minute.  The U.S. leveled the game in the 40th minute thanks to a blunder by the English goalkeeper.  Unfortunately, the keeper will be seeing his name all over media for his mistake.  So, let’s send him SuperForest love because the media can be so unkind.

I hope you guys are enjoying this tournament as much as I am, and if you missed my introductory post about my feelings about the World Cup, and just why SuperForest became a little ESPNy in my posts of late, go HERE!

Now for some action pictures thanks to ESPN!

Awesome English Fan!

Pre-game Huddle

U.S. Fans

World Cup mascot Zakumi

Game times tomorrow (times GMT -04:00):

Algeria v. Slovenia 7:30

Serbia v. Ghana 10:00

Germany v. Australia 14:30

Enjoy the games, I know I will!!

Much love SuperForest,

Mathew

And So It Begins!

mathew published on June 11, 2010 in celebrity, superforest journal and zeitgeist. 4 Comments Tags: , .

Hellooo SuperForest!!!

Today was the opening of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa!!!  The much anticipated tournament got under way in an exciting fashion (well at least one game).  South Africa drew level with Mexico in a stellar opening game.  The France v. Uruguay game was lacking excitement I am sorry to say.  Both games ended in draws, leaving each team in Group A (all four teams mentioned are in Group A) level on points, each with one point.  If you are new to football go here for rules and here for the tables and info on this world cup.

Last night was the opening ceremonies for the tournament, and it was boasting of great artists such as Black Eyed Peas, K’naan, Shakira, Alicia Keys, and many more fantastic artists!  For an entire list of performers, and to watch it on its loop CLICK HERE.  During the concert there were various speakers during performances, and one of these speakers was my personal hero, Desmond Tutu.  I love this man, and here is a video showing you just why!

Love it!!!  He is such a joyous and wonderful man.  If I ever get the chance I am giving him a huge hug!

This tournament is huge for Africa!  As the South African President Zuma declared,

Africa is holding this World Cup, and South Africa is simply the stage. The time for Africa has come.  It has arrived.

AND

The World Cup must make the world see the beautiful landscape, humanity, progress and vibrant spirit that is in this continent.

What a few past days, and I really hope you have gotten the chance to check it out, and if you haven’t come join the party.  The games are on ESPN & ABC in the U.S., for other countries check your local listings.  But just by watching you are part of this phenomenal event.  Tomorrow begins the games from Group B and one game from Group C.  First up is South Korea v. Greece, followed by Argentina v. Nigeria (both Group B games), and finally, the big game for the U.S., England v. U.S.A.!  For more info go to ESPN or BBC Sport.

I will be following the World Cup almost daily for the entire month of the competition.  I will to post after every day of games, but due to travel coming up, and lack of internet sources, this might not be possible.  I will try my best!

I will leave you with the words of the great Nelson Mandela, who instructed President Zuma to tell the world this before the opening game (Mandela couldn’t make it himself because of family tragedy, sending love to him and his family):

The game must start.  You must enjoy the game.

Much love to you all,

Mathew

Things We Love: The World Cup

mathew published on May 8, 2010 in art, celebrity, superforest journal and zeitgeist. 3 Comments Tags: , , , .

This year marks a milestone for the world footballing community.  The 2010 World Cup will be held in South Africa!  This is the first time this huge and amazing event has graced the shores of Africa.  THIS IS BIG!  African nations are rearing to show the world what they can produce on the pitch, but also that an African country can hold such a major event with success and style!  I for one have the highest of confidence that this World Cup will live long, long, loonnggg in the memory of football history.  I am so excited for this, as football is probably my largest passion with permaculture coming in a close second.

Football is in many ways a life of its own.  I know people look at sports and can say it is kind of silly, and I agree with them except for football.  Football, being the largest supported, watched, and played sport in the world, has something that other sports don’t have.  Football has power.  In the darker times players have been killed for bad performances, countries have gone to war over a match, namely Honduras and El Salvador, and their have been scandals and cheats.  But more than these dark times there has been peace, enjoyment, life, and passion.  Football has literally reopened peace talks between nations.  In 2008 Armenia and Turkey used the beautiful game to reopen treaty talks.  This led to recreating a relationship between the two nations!!  The United States alone has had a few key matches that brought it close to political enemies or rivals.  Cuba and United States faced each other for the first time since 1947 during World Cup Qualifying.  The infamous Iran vs US game in 1998 brought media attention to the fact that these two countries faced each other without incident.  In fact, before the match the players presented gifts to each other in signs of, at least, a shared humanity.

Is football, or sports, our answer for world peace?  No.  But it can help.  This is why football is special.  It sits highly so many people’s hearts and souls that it has the power to move them.  This is why I think it so amazing that the tournament graces South Africa this summer.  A country that has struggled for its own peace and equality is now holding one of the largest tournaments in our day (only matched by the Olympics).  Then they also chose K’naan’s “Wavin’ Flag” as the main song of the tournament.  I have already shared this with you, but I would like share this new version with you!

That song is going to single handily make this summer’s World Cup one of the most memorable.  That song screams of humanity and peace.  That is what football is really about for me.  It is a living organism that has the power to change, awaken, and adapt the world around us.  It is one of the few tournaments the world comes together to celebrate, and I believe it does more so during the World Cup than during the Olympics.  So the upcoming months are BIG!  They are exciting!  And I cannot wait to share them all with you.  I will certainly be keeping updates about the tournament here, and share any other amazing things I can with you regarding football and the South Africa 2010 World Cup!

By the way, K’naan isn’t totally alone.  Akon has written a song that is being featured in a Pepsi commercial.  I’d like to share that too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1hMSL7vyD0

And just for kicks here is the official video, which is also beautifully done!  It is really super, super cool!

Football is not only a game. It is a passion and an art.  It is called “Joga Bonito” for a good reason.  So go check it out if you aren’t a follower.  Go to youtube and check out “street football” or “best world cup moments.”  You will feel the passion.  SuperForest just got hooked!  So be on the look out for my next World Cup Update.  So SuperFoersters I ask that today you:

Talk with your feet, play with your heart

Much love to you all,

Mathew