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“World Cup is when Lee passes the ball to Cha (Korea), Khonti (Japan) marches in front of the net and ChabaLaLa (South Africa) scores the first goal of the championship.” “These are the words with which the Greek Athens Voice magazine tries to give a clearer idea of what the World Cup is. Though it may seem quizzical, the comment expresses a part of the society, though not so great. Because the fact is that except fiery football fans in Greece there are those who try their best to avoid the sporting event. As can be expected most of them are women. While men once again became homebirds in early summer the very bored wives and girl-friends are going to the city cafes in the company of...friends. Thus, during the first game of Greece with the team of South Korea, women’s kingdom came through the streets of Athens. Sitting around the table with a cup of coffee or glass of wine, they are not in a hurry to say everything. They have a whole month to discuss stories and events retrospectively. Dated back to the previous World Cup…

Another Greek magazine – Lifo – does persuade that the World Cup is like a movie that is advertised too much. You have been told it is something divine and you finally decide to see it. However, you find it not as fascinating as expected. Thus much of the sports fans even decide that the ball looks more impressive on the ad. What does Lifo offer instead? Summer movies.

Because according the magazine Greece lacks three key elements in the football. Enthusiasm, self-awareness and perspective. Players themselves were as storm clouds on the field. Constantly murmuring that they have been criticized too much. They’d better stop dealing only with what’s written on the front pages for them and concentrate on the game. “Maybe they should play smiling to life for the blessing which has been given them – to be paid to kick. And if they can not win with a smile, then let them lose trying to win at least” – says Lifo. “It is important that players are having a great time when training. People appreciated this” – ironically commented another Greek newspaper.

This year, though, some men are bored of the World Cup. And because of what? Because of the notorious African tubes called vuvuzelas, of course.  

The mass media pushed around even derisive comments the vuvuzelas to become a binding instrument for Eurovision.  

The boring tubes caused noise on the stadium and in the media. The Internet filled with “vuvuzela” blogs. Unfortunately, the monotonous sound of these instruments is an inseparable part of the African tradition. And there is clearly no chance to be banned.

Although vuvuzelas make incredibly annoying noise to the ears of teams in Europe and South America FIFA said it did not intend to ban the vuvuzelas. Mute here are either Rooney or Messi or Ronaldo. “Vuvuzelas remain and there is no way to be banned. This is part of our culture, way of celebration. Our guests must comply with this” – cut Rich Mkhondo, head of communications at the Organising Committee in South Africa.

That could be a sacred tradition for the black continent, but for the rest of the planet these “instruments” are a real disaster. Thousands of players, coaches and judges do not hear each other because of the noise resembling swarms of bees. The Africans themselves do not hear, but rather choke one another. The heads of spectators and players are blowing like bubbles. Even the ball is sick. Companies are angry at the stubborn vuvuzelas too. The noise of the pipes does not allow spectators at the stadium to concentrate on advertising signs. The TV viewers get such headaches and migraines that eventually connect the products the companies advertise with headaches, migraines and nausea.  

”But at least players do not hear offending each other” makes you laugh Lifo. Some comments in bold can not be heard either. For example, if vuvuzelas were used during the previous championship Zidane would not hear Materazzi insulted him and there would not follow the hit with the head and the conflict that – if we are to believe the rumors – even the Nobel Peace Prize winner Henry Kissinger failed to suppress ...