Texto publicado na revista Umbrella
A survey gone awry
It was during the last Copa das Confederações of football in Brazil when the idea occurred: what do the carioca ladies know about this centenary game? How do they react to the upcoming World Cup in 2014 and the matches that will be played in their beloved city of Rio de Janeiro? A group of 25 women aged from 20 to 60 years old was selected to reply to a series of questions.
The majority think that it is important and positive for Brazil and in special for Rio to host games: the investments that are being made here, the visibility that the city will gain. Only five of them showed some concern about the local infrastructure being too fragile to receive as many people as it is expected; or definitely don’t like the idea. It was mentioned that the painted walls and streets are horrid and the noise of the fans maybe excessive sometimes.
The number of the carioca ladies interviewed that either abhor or don’t care for football was only of five. Oddly enough, the majority showed to be Botafogo fans, then came the Flamengo supporters sprinkled with a few of Fluminense followers. Not one of them said that she roots for a team chosen by their own volition: they were definitely influenced by fathers, family and the club next door.
Carioca ladies are not prone to collect team’s memorabilia, eventually just a t-shirt or a jersey. Many claimed having been at least once in the Maracanã stadium and they prefer to seat on the terraces instead of the chairs.
Yes, they do watch the competitions on television, mainly accompanied by friends and family. Many detest the commentator Galvão Bueno and prefer to use any other channel transmitting the match then to hear him. When given the chance to choose another commentator, Luciano do Valle, some will make faces: both guys are felt to be boring, talk too much and/or too loud.
As to the present Brazilian team they are all supporters, watch the games and many will invite friends over and offer drinks and aperitifs for the happening. Maria José says that she will not go to the stadium during the championship: “at home I’m able to shout and complain safely”. Neide watches the matches in her team’s full kit. Maria Claudia confessed to dress for the occasion: shirts, painted nails, painted face…
Idols from the past varied from Pele to Zico and Romário. Today’s heroes are Fred and Neymar. Luiz Felipe Scolari, Brazil’s coach at the moment, is liked by many, and just one of the interviewed did not know who he was.
Aline’s comment about the players nowadays was: ‘terrible hairdos!’ and Andrea asked: ‘what is with David Luiz’s hair?’ - for those of you that don’t know who is David Luiz, he is Brazil’s defender and had a brilliant performance during the Copa das Confederações, when he fiercely protected the six yard box, sometimes bleeding profusely in the head or with a broken nose. He is very tall and has a very peculiar way of wearing his long, curly, blond hair…
Simone was the single lady that affirmed having played football for two years and she showed the best knowledge of terms related to football. Camila had no idea that there is such a position as centre back (in Portuguese: quarto zagueiro). Marina guessed that diver (sap: cai-cai) is Neymar’s nickname. Only one of the gals replied to what meant near post (primeiro pau), and honestly, she wasn’t very convincing: “it is the first post” doesn’t sound as if she does know it, right?
Marcia questioned if winger wasn’t written with a mistake: since in Portuguese the position is Ala trv shouldn’t it be Alah?
When asked what is a Brazilian flick (lambreta), just three of them ventured a reply: an old motorcycle; a dribble; the preparation for a chip “lençol”; the player fakes a kick, stops and then really shoots… You, dear knowledgeable reader, choose the correct answer!
Nutmeg means caneta in Portuguese, but what does it really signify? Two ladies ventured that it is when the ball goes through the opponent’s legs. Some lament the referee’s position and the adjectives that are applied to their mothers. Their team’s goals make them happy. Some are bothered by a draw. Another just hates when there is a fight among the supporters of teams. Time waste, a ferocious foul and a thrashing are to be banned from football according to them.
About penalties: one of the gals loves watching them. Another fiercely says that a game should not be settled leaving with the goalkeeper all the responsibility for the other ten players inability to score properly: she claims it is an injustice with the poor man. Another one emphasized that she does not forgive Zico and Socrates that missed penalties in the World Cup of 1996, making Brazil lose the game and the title of champion. Another not-ever to be forgiven: Dunga, the last Cup Brazilian coach that managed to take away all the happiness and joy that football has, not only from the fans but also from the players.
Quartas de final or quarter finals is a tricky concept for many. When asked if they ever made something worth to be mentioned regarding football, Flora remembers that she was in charge of the negotiations that sold the players Junior and Zico to teams abroad - it was a milestone. Tiane says she found herself rooting for her team right in the middle of the opponents’ seats and left the stadium with her t-shirt stained from a hot-dog thrown at her...
End of game.
Gravura: canaltech
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