Every four years the world is taken over by the biggest spectacle on the planet. The World Cup is one of those few things in life that everyone knows. Things such as the sun, Jesus Christ and Michael Jackson; the World Cup is truly one of the most special events. Apart from the obvious fact of all that is football, there are other reasons we love the World Cup and here are 7:

1. South American female fans

Apologises to get the list started with such a shallow subject but it’s true, South American female fans are the cherry on top of watching a South American team. Brazil vs. Argentina, Peru vs. Columbia I guarantee whichever channel your watching will fill any boring parts of the match with close up shots of some Latina beauty waving a flag and in my opinion, if TV broadcasters want to fill half time viewing with flattering camera angles of South America chicas, who are we to complain?

2. Commentators trying to pronounce African names

The World Cup not only brings together the world’s elite players but also the cream of the crop of commentating talent, or so you would believe. Hearing John Motson and co trying desperately to pronounce surnames of African players is hilarious. Really, what’s Alan Shearer going to do when England play Algeria and he has to pronounce Faouzi Chaouchi or Rais M Bolhi’s name? Maybe he should take a leaf from Alan Hansen’s book and nick name players, most infamously calling Everton and Nigeria’s Yakubu Aiyegbeni ‘The Yak’.

3. What Trouble will Argentina Start This Time?

1986. Diego Maradona breaks English hearts, becomes the world’s most famous cheat and starts years of bad blood between Argentina and England. 1998.  Diego Simeone knocks David Beckham down, which foolishly makes the Englishman respond by kicking him. Becks is sent off and England’s dream is over for another four years. More beef between England and Argentina. 2006. Argentina’s Gabriel Heinze is centre of a massive on pitch brawl with Germany after being knocked out of the tournament. 2010? Who knows what kind of trouble Argentina will get into but whatever it is, I for one cant wait!

4. A Shambles Of An Opening Ceremony

To get the World Cup started there is always some extravagant, million dollar ceremony. Lights, fireworks, acrobatics, mascots and kids. Sounds great right? Only problem is something always goes wrong. Some kid falls over, a firework goes off into the stands or some human rights protester gets in the way. Best example? USA 94’ Diana Ross steps onto the pitch sings a bit, dances a bit and then all she has to do is kick a ball into a pretty much open goal. Easy. Ross does her sing and dance, runs up to the static football and toe punts it into the stratosphere. But as they say the show most go on, after the wayward ball has long cleared the stadium the goal then falls to pieces, something the organisers hoped would happen after the ball hits the net. Not great for Diana but great if you were watching.

5. For Once, We can Be Proud To Be British

Now I’m not saying at all other times there’s no reason to be proud to be British but World Cup season is special. We all put on our England shirts, watch the team play their hearts out or as much of their hearts as their lucrative club salaries pay and the whole country collectively has something to be happy about, well until the quarter finals.

6. Day Time Drinking!

When other than the weeks in which the world cup is on is it ok to drink nothing but beer all day? Yeah I know people do it anyway but it’s acceptable while the tournament is on. That local drunk is not as disgusting as he was a couple weeks ago, the pub seems like a much more appealing place to be and beer being 75% of your liquid diet is not just acceptable but your duty.

7. Over The Top goal celebrations

The World Cup gives the world’s best players an opportunity to show the world how talented they really are. With goals come celebrations, memorable celebrations. Whether it be Peter Crouch’s attempt at a Caucasian robot, Ahh Jung-Hwan pretending to speed skate after levelling against the USA or Gennaro Gattuso dropping his shorts and grabbing Marcello Lippi by the throat in celebration of winning the cup, everyone has their favourites. My personal favourite being Marco Tardelli’s 1982 celebration in the final after his wonder goal. I mean, have you ever seen such passion and happiness in a guy’s face? He looked like didn’t know whether to laugh or cry!

The thrills and spills of the world cup are about to begin in the most colourful of nations. We will be watching, will you?

Da Vinci