Why Venezuela? I asked. “A friend from the States sent it to me as a gift. He liked Chavez and sympathized with Venezuela while Chavez was still alive.” Venezuela’s national team, nicknamed La Vinotinto, has never qualified for the World Cup. I imagine, there is not much space for football in the nation crazy about baseball. But La Vinotinto jersey made it all the way to … Continue reading VENEZUELA, BORIS
Why Italy? I asked. “I’m from Italy. Actually not from Italy, I’m from Brazil. But my ancestors are from Italy” At Tutty’s, sovereign behind a cashier he operates, Luciano smiles. Italy just won against England in an unexpectedly entertaining match and Andrea Pirlo, a football genius in the body of priest, or vice versa, is on TV. The largely empty restaurant in a small street … Continue reading ITALY, LUCIANO
Why Man united? I asked. “I’ve been watching football from when I was very young. This is when Cantona played, and I fell in love.” Okay, that is possibly the most normal of all the answers to a question asked but, honestly, I didn’t expect to hear it. If not made clear, Ling’s bright red shirt, one of about a thousand at Aqsa road just … Continue reading MANCHESTER UNITED, LING
Why Stoke City? I asked. “I like Stoke.” Then, after I insisted on more, he added “I like them all (teams), I like football.” Which explains it all. It was the first time I met someone wearing the Potters‘ jersey and I was trilled. Koffi and his family arrived to Montreal, from Ivory Coast, only two months ago. I quickly reminded him how Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Ivory Coast … Continue reading STOKE CITY, KOFFI
Why Marseille? I asked. “Always, always, from when I was a kid, always only Olympique de Marseille!” Frederic didn’t mind the rain and was happy to show his colours for the camera. He is from Togo and came to Montreal 5 years ago to study economics and is just finishing his last term. He was to young to remember his team playing Red Star Belgrade in … Continue reading OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE, FREDERIC
Why Liverpool?, I asked many times and got always the same answer in a language I don’t speak with the attitude I understand perfectly. There is no need for translation – a raised eyebrow and a pose of someone who will never give up speak volumes. I know Khun Suarez for many years. He is one of tough motorcycle taxi drivers working in my … Continue reading LIVERPOOL, SUAREZ
Why DDR?, I asked. Instead of the answer, I will copy here a few verses from Ahmed’s book The God of Transition. The poem is called “Ulf Kirsten, a star man” (the star here is a five pointed one, symbol of the revolution) and it’s obviously about the legendary player from East Germany who would raise his arms and spread legs making it look … Continue reading Deutsche Demokratische Republik, AHMED
Why Liverpool? I asked. “My uncle is responsible.” I talked to Andy in front of 11th Street bar after Liverpool’s game, and a few beers, so I’m not sure I remember his exact words. But an uncle had something to do with him falling for Liverpool and not some other club. Andy came to live in New York City not long ago. He is from a … Continue reading LIVERPOOL, ANDY
Why Arsenal? I asked. “I’ve been an Arsenal fan since just before my 17th birthday. My high school soccer team went to England for a pre-season and our coach got us tickets to a game while we were in London. I don’t know how he chose Arsenal, but I’m pretty sure that it was the opening game of the season at Highbury. This was before … Continue reading ARSENAL, RAOUL
Why Liverpool? I asked. “I started dating Andy who is a passionate Liverpool fan and that was it.” Finally, it looks as if the long winter is over. We can expect a great football year ahead with exciting finales in a few European leagues as well as the World Cup. This weekend I was in New York City. I went to watch West Ham – Liverpool match … Continue reading LIVERPOOL, TANYA
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