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Kick off with divine power
Originally appeared on spirituality.com
Is there a sweeter sound in all the world than the cry of “Gooooaaaalllll!” reverberating through packed stands, and millions of television sets, during a game of football, futbol, or soccer?
That sound rang out both day and night as 32 teams, representing six world zones, dribbled and shot their way to glory in the International Football Federation’s World Cup tournament. The 2006 FIFA World Cup ended when Italy won for the fourth time, beating France 5-3 in a penalty shootout after extra time ended in a 1-1 draw. But the lessons of the World Cup have enduring relevance. Despite some ups and downs, the fact is that many nations worked together to make the games inspiring and successful. One can’t help but wonder if there’s something in this that world leaders might consider.
At any level in this world game of football—and in almost every aspect of life itself—teamwork is a key word. When a team plays at its best, its cohesive, almost selfless, unity stirs hearts—sometimes even among fans on the other side.
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About the author
For 35 years, Kim Shippey covered international sports as a play-by-play announcer. He reported from several countries in Europe, from Australia and New Zealand, and from South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.
