"The quality of England is clear. England, for me, are still a favourite to win the World Cup," he said. "But if we play our game tomorrow, I am sure we can get to the second round."
Sometimes when I am out of Slovenia, I just feel so itchy and eager to get back here. And then I am back home for a week and I am baffled as to what I so missed about the place. This morning, I read this article on BBC with reportage from a news conference with the Slovenian football team's head coach Matijaž Kek and team captain Robert Koren, and I just put my finger on it: I have become totally accustomed to and enraptured by Slovenian genuiness. I rarely deal with any jadedness or sarcasm; people generally say what they think or say nothing at all. At the core, I find the national character to be humble (sometimes too dangerously to the point of utter self-deprecation,but...), the character is such the antithesis to anywhere else I ever find myself that I find myself coming back for more (for better or worse).
If my eyes don't deceive me, that's what is reflected in the above article, and I am glad to see it magnified on the world stage. Now let's get out there and (despite the Charlie Brown jersies) get some gooooooooooooooooooooaaaaals. Gremo fantje!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
The Game, the Character, and My Finger on Things
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
That's exactly what bothers me so... If Slovenia think England are the way better team, how are they going to beat them? By sheer luck? Should England ondo themselves on their own?
Just worrying is all...
Well, let's just sit back and see if this strategy wins. Brez skrbi, draga moja! ;)
who cares about the jerseys as long as they take them off at the end of the match. mmmmm ...
barbara
I rarely deal with any jadedness or sarcasm; people generally say what they think or say nothing at all.
I come from the other side of this phenomenon: I'm a Slovenian living abroad (now in Ireland, before in Scandinavia) and yes, I am like that and I find it doesn't help me any where I am now. Here, noone says what they really think, it is all clouded in politeness and jokes and sarcasm. And I don't seem to be able to learn how to read beyond all this masquerading. I guess it has to be something that you learn when you are child. In this respect it was easier in Scandinavia, people are more direct there (or silent).
Btw, a very nice blog, I enjoy seeing how an expat sees my country.
@pika - Thanks for reading. I have a dear Slovenian friend in Ireland and I think she has troubles adjusting for the reasons you mentioned. I hope you can find a way to adapt without feeling like you've changed too much.
@alcessa - I think yesterday was the sad revelation that the "typical" Slovenian character does not really do the Slovenians well in global competition. The players looked nervous, choppy, and intimidated. The coach seemed to sit back as if he were watching a game on tv rather than coaching. Sad to see.
Camile, thank you for your wonderful comments about our humble character. I'm proud of it... and proud of you, being here!
Bye!
Post a Comment