The Groan Heard Throughout France
December 21, 2022,
Dear Diary,
Marion (a delightful woman) invited me to join her family for lunch and watch the world cup final between France and Argentina. This was my second lunch with her family, and it is always a joy to spend time with them. They are incredibly nice and generous; and even though my French is a work in progress (aka terrible), I always feel included in their midst. Marion cooked Indian for lunch – cream spinach and curry lentils with brown rice – and everything was delicious. She also introduced me to a lovely red wine (Les Mains Sur Les Hanches - The Hands on the Hips), which I plan to add to my repertoire. Despite having participated in several wine tastings, I still don’t know how to buy “good” wine, or tell which will taste good.
The game began and I could sense the excitement and anticipation of the entire country. This was the first game I watched in the series (is that what they call it?), and it was the perfect game to watch. Because I had zero emotional ties to either country, I could enjoy it as a curious spectator. Then Messi scored the first goal of the match. This guy is truly an unflappable force on the field. He never lost his cool, the epitome of calm. When he was out maneuvered he grimaced and walked it off with a smile. Messi was a quiet but deadly opponent on the field. Every time he had possession of the ball, the French commentators yelled his name repeatedly in full blown panic; an unconscious acknowledgement of his skills and ability to deliver. In Marion’s home, the atmosphere became visibly tense, everyone quietly conceding the excellence and prowess of this one man. I want to note that Messi played the entire game, the only player (excluding the goalie) never substituted out.
I don’t know if anyone else is annoyed by this, but these players fall and cry foul a lot! Every physical contact was grossly exaggerated, with men rolling on the field wincing or screaming – presumably in pain. But after the refs take notice, they get up, shake it off, and start running. If I had to guess, this is a tactic to force the refs to take notice of them and hopefully foul the other team or call for a penalty? They just looked silly to me. I clearly don’t know much about soccer, but I do know they can’t use their hands, and it’s a marathon sport. Other thoughts that came to me during the game: how is it humanly possible to run around for 100+ minutes? 🥵No wonder, players looked like they were caught in a rainstorm with the steady stream of sweat running down their faces. I also realized the sport is kinda gross. Players were constantly spitting on the field, their sweat dripping everywhere, and aggressively blowing snot on the field - the same field they roll around in. I also noticed that most of France’s players were black – interesting (I think this is common for many European teams?). And lastly, has anyone studied soccer players’ legs? I feel like there’s something to learn there. 😊😇😉
The match, now in full swing with Argentina leading 2-0 in the first half. France’s coach must have lit up the players' ears because in the second half (and after some key substitutions) France suddenly showed up. France’s Kylian Mbappé came back legs swinging, tying the game 2-2. Marion and her family took me through all the highs and lows of their emotions. The jubilation when France scored, the exclamation and shouts when Messi got the ball, and the incessant groans when France missed a goal. I then remembered why I don’t enjoy watching marathon sports like soccer. Like all slow build (slow burn) sports, it is relentless in giving me heart palpitations – with every possession and turnover (don’t judge my sports lingo), every near miss and attempt to score, which is the entire point of the game - to score. I’m pretty sure watching soccer is bad for my health.
Then in overtime, (and because this sport has no respect for my emotional and mental well being), the teams tie again 3-3. No one scored a winning goal in overtime so the game was to be decided with penalty kicks (I thought whoever scored first in overtime won, imagine my surprise when the game kept going, and my palpitations continued). Well you know how the game ends – Messi got his World Cup and his flowers. And in that moment when the entire stadium (of mostly Argentina fans) and the entire country of Argentina along with its players were screaming, crying, cheering, and jumping for joy, Messi was just smiling. I’ll have whatever he’s had to make him so flipping cool!
It’s an unforgettable experience to live through the emotional and mental pain of others. To hear the sudden intake of breath, the sigh of disappointment and dejected exclamation of shock (“oh la la la la!!”). But France played a game of a lifetime; they left everything on that field, but the groaning will likely continue for a long while.
Ps. Qatar do better! 🙄
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