The Conference Call
Not just the aftermath. More like the duringthemath. It's all agreed. A conference call during the World Cup Final. Joe...Pele...Michel Platini...Johan Cruyff...Glenn Hoddle and we'll reserve a spot for anyone who would like to call 1-800-JOEPELE. Forget TSN where you can't see the "Forrest" for the "Dick" and join us on our unique journey through the greatest 90 minutes in soccer history.
It's approaching kick-off time. There are no time zones in operation. Only kick-off time. Pele is already on the line and is pensively quiet. I on the other hand am positively bubbling with that greatest feeling of butterflies in the stomach. At once both nervous and apprehensive and yet eager and excited. It could be argued that since I am not playing I should not have butterflies in the stomach. But I disagree, and a healthy percentage of the four billion people watching are on my side, I fancy. Over 35,000 hours will pass before the next 90 minutes of such significance.
Michel joins us direct from the Stade de France, basically his second home for the last 33 days. "Hallo guys, the atmosphere is indescribable here my friends, you can feel electricity in the air. And of course, France is about to make further history. What a day." A slight choking crackle on the line as Pele diplomatically disagrees. "Michel my friend, we won't be stopped now." "Calm down gentlemen, let's just hope for a final worthy of the occasion" says Johan the ever cool. "Yes lads, let's 'ave a good game o' football wiv plenty of chances either end," chips in Glenn 'Oddle. "Ow do you fink it's goin' to go Joe?" "Well, that's the sixty thousand dollar question" says I, thinking inflation has made it more like a million sixty thousand these days. "You all know I picked Holland to beat France in the final from day 1 and all that's been proved so far is that we've got to find a better way to split teams that tie after 120 minutes" I know Hoddle and Cruyff agree but right now Michel doesn't care. "Theoretically, it means I think France can now do it but realistically I'm assuming if Brazil perform up to expectations then...I'm just going to watch with the rest of you and see how it unfolds." At this point why try and argue a game you cannot win with a Brazilian, a Frenchman, and a Dutchman and Englishman who probably feel that they should be there and not on the phone with me.
Latest Articles