This past weekend I wrapped up doing something I never would have thought I would enjoy years ago. I watched a World Cup Final that had nothing to do with the United States other than the location. Spain wrapped up a dominant tournament by outlasting the defending champ Argentinians to win their second trophy in their history. It was at least the sixth match of the tournament I watched that did not involved the U.S. team. I obviously enjoyed the run the men’s team had and ultimately was disappointed by their outing against Belgium. Not because they couldn’t compete, but because they did not play like they had during the rest of the tournament. That being said, I very much enjoyed the run of games and so many of the online things that came with it. I started following Freddy the German who captured the imagination of X users (formerly Twitter) by exploring the backroads of our amazing country, especially the South, and genuinely appreciating the abundance of things we may take for granted. He wasn’t alone, but he was my favorite. I also enjoyed the funny trash-talking videos and memes, particularly centered around America flexing during our 250th year of existence. It was all capped off by an AI video of President Trump awarding the Spaniards air conditioning units after winning the tournament. I won’t profess to be an expert in soccer, but like the Olympics, I can be invested during the big world events involving my country and also appreciate the incredible skills in display. It’s likely the last World Cup on my country’s home soil in my lifetime and it was a good one.
And like many Americans, now that the World Cup has helped us endure several weeks of the summer off-season, football is now just around the corner. It’s actually amazing just how quickly this part of the year comes and goes. A month from right now, the Braves will be prepping to leave for Alaska to play the Soldotna Stars on August 28. An interesting nugget this past week, MaxPreps.com had both the Braves and the Stars listed as the top programs from their respective states. Is this the only matchup to start the year that has this type of clash? It just might be.
It’s also almost time for college teams to start Fall practice and to be truthful, even as upset as I was with the last month of the Cowboys’ season a year ago, I can’t wait. Game one will be in Fort Collins with a lot on the line. Training camps also open up this week for NFL teams including the Bills. A new head coach for Josh Allen, the first time in his career he has experienced that type of change. While the Bills are not my primary team, they are my second favorite and I watch all of their games because Josh is must-watch football. The next couple years are going to be highly scrutinized even more than before. A new stadium for the Bills and Allen now hitting 30 years old. It’s Super Bowl or bust more than ever before.
It will be the 13th school year that SVI has produced video sports production as well. There will literally be teenagers who have always known of being able to watch the home team. We are endeavoring to do more than ever before in terms of quality and content and being able to kick it off in Alaska will likely be a once in a lifetime thing. Buckle up and get out there and enjoy your summers, because before too much longer, your next few months will be spoken for. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
