Futbol

I'm a fan of short-attention-span sports. That's why I like Sumo so much: a two minute build-up, a 5-30 second match, and bam, it's over for these guys until tomorrow. Paradoxically, perhaps, I also enjoy games with a modicum of strategy and The Long View, which is why the other, more methodical side of Sumo appeals to me: how many matches does this guy need to win to make his kachikoshi? does this guy have the stuff to go for the yuusho? The best matches are the ones where the short-term and long-term goals intersect, where the results of a single match are of such importance to both participants that you can expect they'll both be running all out in pursuit of the win.

Such a syzygy is coming up in the 2006 World Cup, when the the US battles Ghana and Italy faces the Czech Republic on Wednesday, June 22, at about 5 in the morning PST. The US has lost once and tied once, so they have 1 point; Ghana has won once and lost once, so they have 3 points. If the US beats Ghana AND Italy beats the Czech Republic, then the US goes on to the second round. If Ghana beats the US AND Italy beats the Czech Republic, then Ghana goes to the second round. (Thanks, Ami!)

I sure as hell won't be awake to watch either of these simultaneous matches, but if you are, tune in for the last fifteen minutes or so; the tension should be thick enough to cut with a knife.

(Click here for my updated (and somewhat speculative) version of the BBC Wallchart. (PDF, 395kb))