Friday 13 July 2018

World Cup 2018

I can't possibly let the whole World Cup go by without writing something. After all, it only happens once every four years!

This World Cup has been full of upset wins and underdog stories, from Korea beating Germany to Japan escaping the group stage. Not forgetting hosts Russia making it past the Spanish on their run to the quarters.

But arguably the most compelling is how Croatia, a war-torn country with a population smaller than Singapore, now stands on the brink of an unbelievable tournament victory.

Just one more win will see them lift the trophy and send millions of neutrals around the world into raptures, because who doesn't like a fairytale finish?

There's just one problem. On Sunday, their opponents will be the French.

With world-class names like Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Ngolo Kante and Benjamin Pavard in their squad, the French will prove to be a stern test for the Croatians. Sterner than even the English, which literally only had Harry Kane going for them.

Nobody honestly believed that "It's coming home" malarkey, surely?

Personally though, I was rooting for the English, whose last World Cup triumph took place when my mother was in diapers and my media writing professor wasn't even on this planet.

But now that they're out, I'm kind of on the fence. A Croatia win will have that feel-good factor, but the French have a number of players who deserve the win just as much.

People like the humble workhorse Kante, who goes about his business quietly but effectively, or the dark horse Benjamin Pavard, who I rate as the breakout star of the tournament. They are also rags-to-riches stories, and I'd be happy for them to record a World Cup title on their resumes.

This Sunday's final is sure to be filled with drama and emotion. Luckily, it will be screened live for free on Okto.

I'll be there in front of the television, Pepsi in hand.

Yeah, Coke is the sponsor of the World Cup, but I don't drink overpriced, underwhelming garbage.

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