This is WOT, Way Off Topic, but as this is an international forum, does anyone else here get a serious case of World Cup fever like clockwork, every four years? I've had this disease since 1966 [black and white TV, mostly bokeh], and haven't missed a final since then.

Is any Japanese writer to this forum going to see any matches?

I'm not from Holland, but living in Europe at the time, I've been a serious Dutch fan since 1974, when Cruyff and crew were robbed. Then they were robbed again in 1978. And in 2000, they had the greatest pool of talent ever, and self-destructed. It shows that even with the best equipment, sometimes you don't get the best shot. So this year it is exquisite anguish, since they didn't even make it to the finals. I suppose fans of Dutch soccer can be classified as "Tortured Loyalists." What do I do with my Orange T-shirt? Paint it Yellow? or Blue?

-- Vikram (VSingh493@aol.com), May 07, 2002

Answers

Hey you could be a Boston Red Sox fan. 1918!...1918!...1918!...

-- Brooks (Bvonarx@home.com), May 07, 2002.

I'm disappointed that the Dutch didn't make the cup this time. Always good contenders. The way the groups are arranged it looks like the "group of death" will be dominated by Argentina since England has had so many injuries. Then in the 2nd round France will probably have to play Argentina. This will probably determine the winner. On the other side, Italy seems poised to get through all the way and will hopefully meet France in the finals (with luck!!). Anyway it looks to be a solid cup this year. Even the USA has a chance to make it to the 2nd round. Portugal in the 1st game will probably cream the USA but USA should show well against Korea and Poland. My advice is to paint your jersey "Bleu"..... Good Luck..

FWB

-- F. William Baker (atelfwb@aol.com), May 07, 2002.

Sadly this will be the first time in World Cup history that the host team(s) likely won't make it pass the initial round. I will cheer for the underdogs but the French will triumph once again. You will shoot me but I was offered tickets for the Argentina/England match in Japan but had to decline for professional reasons.

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), May 07, 2002.

viva espana!

-- steve (leitz_not_leica@hotmail.com), May 07, 2002.

$8000 tickets for the finals. All sold out. In a country that's been in recession for 12 years.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), May 07, 2002.