Be the Reds
In the Vancouver Province newspaper on Sunday, there was a story about a guy who auctioned off his support for a World Cup team on eBay. For $15 hard-earned dollars, a group of his co-workers bought his support, for their beloved Serbia (and Montenegro).
Over at Adcouver, Ryan explains in a very meaningful and heart-felt post why he’s a South Korea fan. If you’ve already seen pictures of my wife and I, then you might be able to guess why I too am a Korea fan. Ryan’s experience was a unique one, being a tall, white foreigner caught up in one of the most powerful moments of national pride and unity that we may see in our lifetimes. While he was partying it up on the streets of Seoul, I was in Victoria, falling in love with all things Korean; their underdog-made-good-team-of-heroes soccer team, and of course the woman who would soon become my wife.
(image: Me in my “Be The Reds!” t-shirt my brother-in-law brought me from Korea)
To get an idea what things were like over here for me while he was there, trade the millions of fans in the streets for smaller, equally patriotic and exuberant groups of Korean fans partying in the streets of sleepy Victoria, BC. Add to that the massive swell of “bandwagon jumpers” (like myself) who watched closely while Korea became the new darlings of the sport; as famous for their teamwork and fast feet as for the massive seas of red shirts in the stands at every game.
This time the games are being played in Germany. If you were lucky enough to catch Korea’s 2-1 win over Togo yesterday, then you already know that geography is of little consequence; the Red Devils are still out in full force, outnumbering alternatively colored shirts (Togo fans?) by more than two-to-one, and they never stop chanting and cheering.
Ryan and I may not look at all like them, but we too want to see Korea advance to the semi-finals again this year. Who knows, maybe this time they’ll surprise us again, and go on another storied run.
OOOOOOOOOH PIL-SIN KO-RE-AAAA!!!
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June 15th, 2006 at 4:20 am
I don’t know much (read: anything) about soccer, aside from the fact that the ball is round and the game remains scoreless through the time period it would take to get through about four presidential administrations, but I do know that Korean women (and most Asian/Oriental woman as well) are HOTTT. Good job
June 15th, 2006 at 11:17 am
I’m not afraid to admit it; my love for soccer seems to miraculously blossom around the World Cup and Euro Cup events, and I’m pretty indifferent the rest of the time. My dad raised Wes and I to play hockey, and in Canada it’s usually one or the other.
Still, over the years I’ve gained an appreciation for the sport, especially when I was a sports reporter waaay back when.
Oh, and thanks for the
JD. My wife will certainly appreciate the compliment, too.
June 15th, 2006 at 3:04 pm
I do!! Thanks! Go Korea! My hubby is pretty fly for a white guy…….:-)
June 15th, 2006 at 8:43 pm
LMAO! Well I fear the US will be out before most people get to their seats, so I will make the Korean team my 2nd choice.
Besides, I’m a M.A.S.H. fan 😉
June 16th, 2006 at 12:20 am
Atta boy, Mack. Say it with me:
Tae Han Min Guk!