Germany 2006....

The greatest sporting carnival. A sport transcending across many barriers. A team game. Inarguably, must be the greatest platform for showcasing one's talent in a group effort. Sport, for that matter, provides a means for the highest form of connection between individuals. Only players can understand one another, and the levels of resonance between two players can be unmatched by any other kind of relationship in the world.

So far, some teams have shown their class. Some teams were plain unlucky. Some teams had the ladyluck smiling upon them. For the first time, the author had to resort to viewing those 2 min match highlights here. And, whatever follows in this post, is based on those videos and photos. 16 teams have progressed to the next round, and 16 teams have been eliminated. Ghana, has undoubtedly, played one of the best so far, among the newer generation teams.

Most of these African teams have that raw sensuous magic and power on display. It is an altogether different matter that they have not been so successful because of the lack of the clinical finish. South Korea was unlucky to miss out on the final round of 16. But then, the author being a French supporter, was more than just happy. However, the faces of the South Koreans, players and fans, following their loss to Switzerland, did touch a raw chord. Only days ago, the same set of people were the happiest following the late equalizer vs. France.

One often tends to forget that the world cup is one of the finest moments of the game. Best teams of the world are out there, and it is a true celebration of the spirit of success. Fans from all over the world throng to support "their" teams. A Croatian fan was almost in tears because of the draw vs. Australia, which was not enough. I am sure, that the team that loses out on the finals would also be in tears. It is always a case of "So near, yet so far". There can only be one winner. And that winner is veritably the game itself.

While some teams failed to deliver or impress, most of the teams provided excellent entertainment for the world and most games were high-scoring in nature. This post is dedicated to the 16 teams that didn't make it to the second round. The respective countries must be in that shadow of gloom and pain. The players and the fans, alike, would take some time to recover from this event.

Years of excitement, enthusiasm, and yearning to play wonderful soccer, has transformed to only a month of soccer for these countries. Their fate had been decided over a matter of 3 games, totalling approx. 4.5 hrs. For them, it is time to get back to their normal lives. And, this is something which is difficult. May the force be with them.