FIFA Foe From....

Perhaps Sheena has lost a little bit of her Canadian soul, but there has been more World Cup soccer consumed in the last 2 weeks than hockey over the entire NHL season. Maybe my perspective is bigger these days, more interested in how the World protects its nuts than just Lord Stanley and his cup.

It took me awhile to decide who to cheer for. Ukraine? In honour of my half-bohunk heritage? Brasil? Proven winner and best drumming bands? Perhaps a feel-good story like Togo or T N T or Ghana. Or do I support my home continent and ask for a swift beating by yelling out "U-S-A!! U-S-A!!" at every chance?

Most fun I've had at a sports bar in ages was last Saturday afternoon, watching Italy v. USA. Went down to a little pub near my new neighbourhood in Little Stabbingtown. A gang of snarkmeisters sitting behind us, adding to the perfect mood. By the end of the match we'd finalized the cast for "Miracle on Grass II". With Don Cheadle as the guy whose goal got called back, and K-Fed as a greasy Italian backfielder. Leslie Nielsen as the Italian coach and Matt Damon as "Pretty Boy" McBride with the bloodied nose. Still hadn't quite finalized Sheena's loyalty though...

So, at last I decided to vote with my Airmiles and pull for Argentina. The host country to my lovely vacation a couple of months back. Land of the hand-stitched futbols, melty beef and highway anarchy.

So imagine my shock this afternoon when I called some Brit associates in preparation for my trip out tonight. They were wrapping up for the day and heading to the pub. They extended an invitation for me to join them tomorrow after I land to see the England v. Sweden game. I heartily agreed, just pleased as punch to be included as one of the guys...

And then they asked me who I was cheering for this year. And I told them.

And I heard a click, and some static... "Hello? Hello???"....