By Ayman Mohyeldin in
Middle East
on May 15th, 2010
I know what you are thinking ... France wins the Word Cup? Is that a prediction? No it's a fact ... France has won the World Cup!! Allez les Bleus!!
No not THAT World Cup ... that World Cup begins in South Africa in June ... the OTHER World Cup ... THE GAZA WORLD CUP!
Yup ... and boy was it thrilling ... the final was as dramatic as anyone could have wished for. The boys from France - who originally are the local amateur team from Rafah - were the favourites. But they were pretty much losing throughout the game to Jordan (no, thats not a typo).
Jordan, who were being represented by the local football club from Khan Younis, actually took an early lead and were close to the finish line when Les Rafahs came back and tied it all up ... and because the risk of an electricity cut threatened to put out the stadium lights, there was no extra-time played. Instead, the game went straight into a penalty shootout that France narrowly won!
Gazan football televised
For many of these players the chance of playing in front of millions or on TV is the last thing on their mind. Most have day jobs and play football on the side.
But on Saturday the Gaza World Cup final was televised on Al Jazeera Mubasher (our sister channel) to millions of homes around the world. So for a few hours, this World Cup final was THE ONLY World Cup final for the people and players of Gaza.
Bus loads of fans crammed the Yarmouk stadium hours before the game started, enjoying sweet frozen lemonade on a beautiful Gaza afternoon.
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2010/05/15/france-wins-world-cup
