Football can mean many things to many people. Especially in Australia! Is could be AFL, League, Union, Soccer, and Gridiron games. Fans of the various codes are always happy to defend their claim that their’s is the “real” footy, but that is a discussion for another day. For now, soccer seems to be having its day in the sun so we’ll take a look at that.
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Several big things are happening at this year’s FIFA World Cup. The first was that Italy wasn’t going to qualify at all. Not since 1958 has this country not qualified. Then of course there was the Optus “playback error” fiasco which lead to SBS gaining the rights to screen the remaining matches. Now that was a big win.
Speaking of big wins, this year’s World Cup has seen quite a few upsets. As of the time this was written, there are only four FIFA World Cup winners left (Uruguay, France, Brazil, and England). It would be fantastic if a new nation could hoist the trophy this year! But who could it be? Go Colombia!
There were many that expected Germany, Portugal, Argentina, and Spain, would go far this year, but it was not meant to be. They all have pedigree, players on multi-million dollar contracts and all the science and tech they need to do well. So why didn’t they? As the Good Book reminds us, “The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favour to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11, NIV) Words to live by as fans endure a few more sleepless nights following their favourite teams!
One day it will all be made known. Or perhaps we won’t even care. We may not understand but God knows his plans and the reasons why some people make it and some don’t. It seems arbitrary and unfair at times, but ultimately God works it all out for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).
All brickbats, bouquets and banter welcome at pastor@pmbc.org.au