The Beautiful Game #8

Italy's Andrea Pirlo, ecstatic after team scores a goal

All photos from fifa.com

The Victory of Success; the Agony of Defeat

In the World Cup (and of course, other games), unless a tie occurs, there’s a winner and loser. When a team wins, the players are ecstatic. After the game they run around the field, hug and kiss each other, and wave to their overjoyed fans. If they're good sportsmen, they'll shake the hands of their opponents and sometimes even exchange shirts (sweat-drenched and all).

On the other hand, the losing team is devastated. Some players are so sad they stay in the same spot for a while. Dejected, other players hang their head down with disappointment. Others cry and they comfort each other, while their fans look on in disbelief and disappointment. If the players are good sports, they'll shake the hands of their rivals, too.

This week, during the semi finals Italy beat Germany (2-0) by scoring two rigorous goals in the last three minutes of the overtime game. The Italy team and their fans were extremely happy. The German team and their fans looked inconsolable. During the France vs. Portugal game, France won by making a upsetting goal (1-0). The Portugal team and their fans were sad.

Watching the games, it's dawned on me that the feelings an author experiences are similar to the ones team players go through after playing the Beautiful Game. When an author completes a manuscript (or even a page or a chapter), meets a deadline – when a publisher offers a contract, or readers like the story, the author feels victorious. It’s like kicking that ball past the goalie and landing it into the net. GOAL!!! GOAL!!! GOAL!!! Very exciting!

When an author is stuck on a plot or can’t get started on a story, or if a story is rejected, or a bad review comes in, whatever causes anguish – the feelings experienced are very much similar to the ones a losing team goes through. Just as the players console each other, fellow authors give support when needed.

Yes, playing on the writing field results the same emotions as that of playing on the field of the Beautiful Game.

Paz

THE VICTORY OF SUCCESS:

Henry and Zidane of France team

France team

Zidane, France team captain (wining team) applauds fans,

while Brazil player (from losing team) lays on ground in defeat

After game, opposing team captains Figo (Portugal) and Zidane (France)
congratulate each other

THE AGONY OF DEFEAT:

Ronaldo of Brazil team reacts after his team's loss

Fans of German team shocked at team loss

German team

Portugal team