Virginia is trying to groove her way out of World Cup blues – the U.S. team didn’t make it into the mix for the first time in a long time (30 years); but far worse, those fiercely talented (& scenic) Italians missed out for the first time in 60 years (!!)

It’s hard to be too upset when it’s here: the 2018 FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) World Cup, a month-long soccer competition the whole world takes pause to watch.

Most of the world, anyway. Maybe a few American buddies are not as familiar with this global event, the culmination of several years of regional play that sends 32 national teams every fourth year into a 30 day tournament that (64 matches later) crowns the best football team in the world.

This year all the football action takes place in various venues across host country Russia, with the final to take place in Moscow on 15 July 2018.

Another reason for Virginia’s World Cup blues – I miss my Mama! When Brazil hosted the 2014 FIFA World Cup four years ago, Mama and I recorded and watched every match. With her propped up on the sofa, we made sure to catch the flag ceremonies and team introductions then delved into the action (fast-forwarding slow bits.)

“The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning.”  Pelé

We planned to skip through the early matches, but they turned out to be some of the most exciting of the tournament. After a few nail-biter games, my 79 year-old precious Mama cheered along just as enthusiastically loud as me.

Oh, how I miss her.

VA’s soccer lamp (situated next to computer)

You can read Virginia’s previously shared soccer wisdom (cool quotes & life lessons inclusive) by clicking here: 2014 World Cup Life Grooves.

This year I won’t be able to watch every match (it’s good to note that Fox Sports offers daily late-nite ‘highlights’) but will definitely try to catch the knockout and final rounds.

(Not to miss Spain play Portugal Friday! Italy may be out, but Spain & Portugal, oh la la ole ole!)

“I once cried because I had no shoes to play soccer, but one day, I met a man with no feet.”  Zinedine Zidane (French soccer star)

One thing that’s so great about the World Cup, politics get shuffled aside to celebrate the joy(s) of the sport, teamwork, national pride, goals (!) … and love?

Opening ceremony: FIFA World Cup, Russia 2018 (Fox Network)

Something our world needs (lots) more to bust our blues into long-term peace grooves.

grace, peace & World Cup grooves

Virginia : )

 “The vision of a champion is someone who is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion when nobody is watching.”  Mia Hamm (1^st woman inductee, World Football Hall of Fame)