Oups, apparently I forgot to publish this one last week when our Red Devils got beaten by Finland...
Should Belgium organize the 2018/2022 soccer world cup together with the Netherlands?
I have read so many analyses lately in Belgian newspapers. One professor comes up with a cost-negative analysis, another one claims that the long-term benefits will far outweigh the costs, readers who clearly are no football aficionados then again claim that they should not be forced to pay up for a tournament that will only cause traffic problems and bring "even more" hooligans in the country. Not to speak about not-much-loved "FIFA-Maffia" boss Seph Blatter and his long wish-list.
Reading all this from a distance, I feel sometimes sorry about my country. But indeed, is a country that is not able to form a stable government, capable of looking farther ahead and aiming for big achievements? Of surpassing the individualistic viewpoint and accountant-type reasoning? Ok, we can't take a decision based only on romantic ideals, but still, as a proud Belgian, I'd love to see our little country raise to the occasion!
Here in South Africa, the post-mortem analyses have begun. Positive, very positive (economically). But beyond this, it has left the country with a positive "can-do" attitude. A pride. And the flags are still flown or adourning many car mirrors. Looking at it from the microcosmos environment of my workplace, representative of the rainbow nation, it was indeed the very first time for some white afrikaans rugby fan colleagues to get excited about football. The football jersey became the official Friday office gear. And all the so-called "white elephant" stadiums that have been built, have no problem finding second use. The famous Soccer City in Soweto, with a capacity of 90,000 visitors, has been sold out for the friendly South Africa - Ghana game, and recently for the tri-nations rugby game against New Zealand. This time I bought 10 tickets right away for the soccer game, as I really wanted to "feel" the Soccer City vibe while I'm here. So I took my colleagues, my friend Laverne and her kids, and Jane and Cornelius who look after my house, and boy, we were not disappointed, not a minute! Some pics...Oh yes, it's winter here!
Should Belgium organize the 2018/2022 soccer world cup together with the Netherlands?
I have read so many analyses lately in Belgian newspapers. One professor comes up with a cost-negative analysis, another one claims that the long-term benefits will far outweigh the costs, readers who clearly are no football aficionados then again claim that they should not be forced to pay up for a tournament that will only cause traffic problems and bring "even more" hooligans in the country. Not to speak about not-much-loved "FIFA-Maffia" boss Seph Blatter and his long wish-list.
Reading all this from a distance, I feel sometimes sorry about my country. But indeed, is a country that is not able to form a stable government, capable of looking farther ahead and aiming for big achievements? Of surpassing the individualistic viewpoint and accountant-type reasoning? Ok, we can't take a decision based only on romantic ideals, but still, as a proud Belgian, I'd love to see our little country raise to the occasion!
Here in South Africa, the post-mortem analyses have begun. Positive, very positive (economically). But beyond this, it has left the country with a positive "can-do" attitude. A pride. And the flags are still flown or adourning many car mirrors. Looking at it from the microcosmos environment of my workplace, representative of the rainbow nation, it was indeed the very first time for some white afrikaans rugby fan colleagues to get excited about football. The football jersey became the official Friday office gear. And all the so-called "white elephant" stadiums that have been built, have no problem finding second use. The famous Soccer City in Soweto, with a capacity of 90,000 visitors, has been sold out for the friendly South Africa - Ghana game, and recently for the tri-nations rugby game against New Zealand. This time I bought 10 tickets right away for the soccer game, as I really wanted to "feel" the Soccer City vibe while I'm here. So I took my colleagues, my friend Laverne and her kids, and Jane and Cornelius who look after my house, and boy, we were not disappointed, not a minute! Some pics...Oh yes, it's winter here!
Great to see some familiar faces back ! Doe ze de groeten ... Jeroen
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