The Venga Boys song comes to my lips every time Brazil goes to play football more so during the FIFA World Cups. The inspiration of this post is a conversation with Neha of Neha’s Blog fame and the passionate post Football and Calcutta by Guria where she talked about the religion that football is to the people of Kolkata. The post left me nostalgic.
Circa 1987 : I still remember the day when my sports teacher had put me in the class football team (it was mandatory you see) and told me that I will have to play as the centre back (a defender). I was told that my role would be to stop any opponent with the football from entering our penalty box. So as the game started I was lurking at my position ahead of our penalty box and rest of our team was jostling for the ball at the centre. Our goalie was insisting me to go and join the melee at the mid field. But I didn’t leave my post and just then a tall, bulky opponent with the ball was rushing towards our goal and I froze. Everyone from the goalie to sports sir was shouting at me to stop the hulk but I was staring at the oncoming giant and not moving (let me tell I was thin and puny in my childhood) then something happened and I had stopped the hulk ultimately, don’t ask me how. So that’s one of my earliest trysts with the game of football.
Circa 1990 : I was still a school boy and the FIFA world cup was scheduled to begin, the air in Kolkata was heating up as always but I was more into local football and didn’t know much about international football. It was my math tuition sir (a fanatic football fan) who not only quelled my fear for mathematics but also introduced me to magnificent football team called ‘Brazil’. He would come for tuition and analyze with precision the previous day’s matches for 10-15 mins. Also another thing had happened that year my dad had brought home a colour TV just a few days before the World Cup opening match kicked-off. It was a treat to watch the matches in colour.
Oh! How can I forget the opening match in which Roger Milla’s Cameroon had stunned the reigning champion Argentina and the whole world with an unexpected victory and unique victory dance. For some reason I was happy that day(A potential Brazil fan was in making). Over next one month I witnessed the marvelous Yellow shirts, blue pants and white socks doing samba with the ball. Ok I was mesmerized by Maradona as well but knew it will be Brazil that will have my loyalty all my life come what may. Incidentally Brazil had not been the champions that year because they were defeated by Argentina in Round of 16 itself. Finally was super happy when Germany lifted the cup defeating Argentina(seeds of Brazil fan were making inroads).
Circa 1994 : Then I was a young adult and was following the matches even at weird hours, remember it was played in USA. I used sleep with alarms to wake me up at right time but was very upset when missed a few times. The significance of this world cup was Brazil became the champions. What a memorable final it was, first world cup final to be decided by penalties. We were up till late night and that tension, frustration at Italy not allowing Brazil a goal. But it was all worth, Brazil won and we were out on the streets with drums, pipes, people were coloring each-other green(Brazil’s colour is green). When most of the country was sleeping it was a Brazilian carnival in Kolkata. One has to see it to believe it. Crazy Kolkatans one would say but that’s what we are. BTW one of my favorite players in that tournament was Roberto Baggio but they were up against my first love, so couldn’t feel bad for him.
Circa 1998 : This was the tournament played in France and I was a college going boy. But it was heartbreaking to see Brazil lose to France 3-0 in the final, one of lowest times in my football fan life till date. Though I liked Zidane a lot till then but could never accept the fact that his team had beat Brazil so badly.
Circa 2002 : Now I was a man (What? I was working come on). This world cup was held in South Korea and Japan, which meant matches were in afternoon and evening our time. Which created a problem of missing the matches while at work but hey I was in Kolkata. Like Guria mentioned in her post the city comes to stand still during the tournament. The place where I was working was our client’s place but the people were nice and allowed us to watch important matches in their recreation room where they had a TV, especially for the world cup! Actually they would call us during the matches and we would be shuttling between work and the matches. The tournament ended with Brazil lifting the world cup for fifth time. The celebrations this time were much mellow from my side as I told you I was not a boy anymore but a working professional.
Circa 2002 : That was a significant year for me as I had moved out of Kolkata for the first time and was still trying to adjust to new life in Bangalore and was not knowing how to watch matches because I still did not have a TV in Bangalore then. But like they say when God’s with you nobody can beat you. One of my Bengali friend here and his wife are die hard Brazil fans, so they let me into their home at the dead of the night to watch the games. It was a new experience to be in the only home in the entire layout or probably the whole area with TV tuned to world cup match at odd hours. We used to miss all the off-screen action of Kolkata. I mean it was strange to see people in general not at all interested in football. I mean why or how? I had supported France in final just for Zidane and Thiery Henry but unfortunately they lost to Italy. Also the famous head butting by Zidane had shocked us.
2010 : This is my second consecutive world cup in Bangalore(outside Kolkata) but I see a significant change with more people following football. Actually my current office has a TV which is tuned to cricket all day long but now they tune to world cup matches and surprisingly there’s a sizable crowd for even matches not involving big names. Good but nothing can match the euphoria back in Kolkata. The Bangla Channels show visuals of frantic fans in Bengal, making me feel a tinge but ….
This world cup so far is turning out very interesting with Vuvuzelas, the issues of Jabulani balls, the high altitude matches and bigger teams struggling while some unknown names shining(this is a specialty of FIFA world cups).
Final note : Like I said on FB “Seeing India play in FIFA World cup finals is a wishful thing maybe it will not happen in our lifetimes” but honestly how many of us know the name of Indian National League played every year or who is the captain of India team?
Finally, if you feel Kolkata is crazy about only football then just go and see during IPL or any other big cricketing event. I think no other city can match that as well.
PS: A 3-1 win by Brazil yesterday acted like a balm for the pain of my team being eliminated out of BPL. Also a Big Thanks to all of you for the support you showered for the Inscribe Tribe.
Neha
Jun 21, 2010 @ 20:31:31
football fever and brazil lover – I know i know..our discussions about the game.
1998 was my first fifa match watchign year. I had started following EPL and UEFA etc since my 7th standard. Vaguely remember the details of that match as i was the only person watching a football match in my 10th standard! and my town people are football illiterate 200%. only cricket rules there.
2002 finals na, I went to sports bar to watch as it was in the afternoon. My team was already out, so was cheering for Brazil (did I tell you Brazil is my second favourite team?) and what a match it was! a 2-0 win, Ronaldo scoring – simply thrilling. Ek drink bhi on the house mil gaya tha 😛
2006 – I love Zidane but not Henry – Man united fan na 😛 so was kinda happy whn france lost 😛
2010 – you already know right? 😀
Dhiman: Neha it really surprised me when I first heard about your interest in football that too in such an extent…. one more thing all great minds think alike …Brazil… first, second whatever number :D….
Shilpa Garg
Jun 21, 2010 @ 21:35:14
Interesting!!
Well, I am a passive football fan!! Not into it actually!
Whatever, I know a bit about the game is courtesy KG who is into it TOTALLY!!
Dhiman: Shilpa! Kudos to KG for creating a passive fan 😀 …. a football fan is a fan in whatever form…
Pal
Jun 21, 2010 @ 23:52:13
Ok, I have no clue about any sports. So am here just to say ‘Present Saar’.
Dhiman: Thanks Pal! Surprised that the fever didn’t touch you in England … another football crazy nation….
subhayan
Jun 22, 2010 @ 11:50:20
ha! nice chronology! am not really a football fanatic but yes the world cup has bitten me. Re the match last night, it might have been good for Brazil fans but it did show the ugly side of football too thnx to the referee.
and yeah, IF FIFA decides that foosball be allowed for the worldcup, that ll probably be India’s only hope of entering it!
Dhiman: Worst part of the match was sending off of Kaka …. it’ll hurt the team a lot …. but that’s how football is …not really a gentleman’s game 😛 …and would love to hear the “Jana Gana Mana” play before a World Cup match ….whatever way India reaches….
Swarnavo
Jun 22, 2010 @ 12:46:30
Remembering those days of following football, I just cannot relate the euphoria we have in Kolkata as I see people in Delhi, they just cannot think of watching football in the late hours/past midnite. They are happy to know the results in the next day newspaper or TV news. Anyway, I am following almost every action at SA 2010.
Waka Waka !
Dhiman: Swarnavo ! This time for Africa…. Bangalider moton taat aar kar ache bolo 😉 ….. tao to Delhir lokra Newspaper ey porchey ekhane to tao bodhay korena …..aar kemon cholche Delhi te 😀 …
chatterbox
Jun 22, 2010 @ 18:03:26
Count me in, I am totally mad for soccer 😀
Have been watching it from the times I was a little girl with my dad 😀 😀
No hour is an odd hour with FIFA on 🙂 🙂
Dhiman: Gr8 to know that you too are crazy for soccer 🙂 ….
Arif
Jun 23, 2010 @ 18:46:27
Gosh D-Man: Awestruck and excited with your deep interest for the game! The Kolkata dance may be missing, but I share the same passion with the sport. The only difference my dear triber – I am all for blue and white! Yup, u guessed it right, we’re gona ‘Mess(i)’ with Brazil! haha! 😀
Dhiman: Bhai other big blues(Italy, France) are already out so just be careful :)…
Roshmi (Musings of an Unknown Indian)
Jun 24, 2010 @ 21:29:22
I too was happy when Germany won in 1990 🙂
“Seeing India play in FIFA World cup finals is a wishful thing maybe it will not happen in our lifetimes”
Huh?? I don’t agree. We are very well represented in the World Cup… through Italy… and are the defending champs. Remember… ??? 😉
Joga Bonito!!!
Dhiman: 😀 Roshmi that’s a consolation and moreover this time Italy out anyway 😛
Lakshmi Rajan
Jun 24, 2010 @ 22:58:43
If someone asks something about football to me , i will have foot in my mouth 😛 Am football illiterate – just know its played by 11 men with a single ball (does it sound cheeky?! well, i think it does after reading it again after typing :P)
Dhiman: He! He! He! Me too not any expert on football 🙂 and just let me add …Football is game where 22 men run behind a Big Ball(atleast bigger than cricket, hockey, baseball balls 😉 )
sm
Jun 25, 2010 @ 01:45:58
football is great game
Dhiman: Indeed it is … billions of people crazy for it around the world ….
Guria
Jun 25, 2010 @ 10:57:44
Okay, I read this post (with help from Hena as you know I do) and was floored! It’s wonderful!
First time I watched the World Cup understanding every part of it was in 1994, though I am told in 1990 I used to hang with all my relatives (in our joint family with one TV room) watching the game and cheering! Even I used to crazy about Baggio!
But I was, still am, crazy abouut Luis Nazario de Ronaldo of Brazil. Always.
I will never forgive France for the 1998 finals… Never, ever! I was so happy they got disqualified this year! 😛
One regret I have is that I never watched Maradona in 1986, I did exist when Argentina won but all my senses were yet to develop sadly!
Very honestly, I am in love with South American football, (so Brasil- Argentina, bhai-bhai?! :D) as does every other Kolkatan, Bangali, so when that is on, nothing can budge us from our seats!
Awesome post, D-man! really, really awesome!!
Rooting for a Brasil-Argentina final this year? 😀
Dhiman: I was always a fan of ‘original’ Ronaldo 😀 , me too missed Maradona’s 1986 run 😦 …. If Brasil loses tonight then they might meet Argentina in Semis but looks FIFA too wants a Brasil V/s Argentina final …. which is a dream for all of us….East or West South American football is Best(Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay ..uuff aar parchina)
Neha
Jun 26, 2010 @ 13:58:47
My name is Neha and not Hena 😛
Dhiman: Oh, Koi gal nahi re 🙂 … words ki adla badli hai just…. You will remain you only 😀
Pramoda
Jun 26, 2010 @ 23:09:51
Hello Damanji…
Hats off to for the follow up.. i too like Brazil and soccer but i never knew all these..:(..
Any ways, i’m also cheering for brazilllll…:) Hope they will win this time..:)
Yeah, Kolkata is known for the love and effection it shown on it’s fav players, br it cric or anything.. Its always good to be that way and cheering up the players.. 🙂
Dhiman: Right Parmoda and Gr8 to see another Brasil and soccer fan….yes hope Brasil Wins 😀
Nishita
Jul 20, 2010 @ 00:52:01
At first, I started off supporting Brazil, but seeing the way they played I knew there was no way they would win this time. I then shifted loyalties to Germany. However, they also lost 🙂
Still, I enjoyed the World Cup and I didn’t mind Spain lusting the trophy at all. Thye deserved it rather than Ned, who played such a dirty game.
I really miss the Brazil team of 1998 though. They were so strong, and yet so entertaining. This time, the team was really sad
Dhiman: Yeah Brazil was not at its best this time…unfortunately …. me too was for Germany and then for Spain ….based on the way the teams played 😀 …. ultimately the Best team won so happy I am 🙂