This World Cup has had everything the world's greatest sporting event (to paraphrase Maradona, the Super Bowl can suck it and keep on sucking it) should have. Controversy, tears, amazing comebacks at the death, beautiful play and a psychic octopus in Germany who correctly predicted the winner of every German match -- and I gambled against this cagey cephalopod, thereby damning myself to financial loss.
To add to my not insubstantial pain and penury, now we have a final that features the never-won-it Dutch taking on David Villa and those other ten guys who do nothing. Agony. I can't even watch it -- but I will be betting on it. The octopus predicts Spain to win it all, and humbly chastened, I place my money accordingly -- but I'm pulling for the Dutch in my heart. Why? I love a wooden shoe as much as the next guy, and I've always had a soft spot for dykes. Game time is 1:30 p.m. St. Louis time, and RFT staff writer Keegan Hamilton recommends Barrister's (15 North Meramec Avenue, Clayton; www.barristers-clayton.com) for the pro-Netherlands contingent; click here for a list of other venues showing the final game. Go, watch, enjoy, and if you see a dejected fatboy in lederhosen grumble-swearing in the corner, please buy him a drink or seven. It's been a rough, costly tournament.
Sun., July 11, 2010