Most of the world is flipping its lids over the World Cup final, and bitter American sports fans, disguising their disappointment in the U.S. team’s early departure, are feigning disinterest.
But there’s more than just a game going on in Berlin on Sunday.
The World Cup championship pitting Italy against France might be the greatest culinary matchup in the history of sports.
In the 76-year history of the World Cup, there never has been a food game this good. England-West Germany, 1966? Yuck. Uruguay-Argentina, 1930? Ewww.
Other than the occasional Olympics matchup that might have brought together, say, Japan and Mexico, the food implications never have been as severe. Don’t forget, the World Cup is the world’s biggest dish, er, stage.
So choose your allegiance. Gelato or mousse? Barolo or Bordeaux? Olive oil or butter? Foccacia or croissant? Mozzarella or brie?
Soccer bleu!
The mayors of Denver and Green Bay wagering a chunk of cheddar and some Rocky Mountain oysters over a Broncos-Packers Super Bowl has nothing on the tale of tape between Team Forza and the Fleur de Lis.
So before Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry lead the French against Italy with Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero, keep this in mind: The game party options will blow away your average chips-and-dip football get-together. As Jacques Pepin would say, “Happee cookeeng!”
The game airs live on KMGH-7 Sunday at noon.
WEAK IN REVIEW
Barry Bonds’ personal trainer, Greg Anderson, was sent to the clink for refusing to testify to a federal grand jury investigating the Giants’ slugger for perjury. The feds, Anderson learned, aren’t like wishy-washy MLB execs spouting hollow threats.
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE …
It’d be great if the Avalanche would join the NHL parade sometime soon. After trading away their most productive scorer in Alex Tanguay and watching their best defender, Rob Blake, leave for free agency, the Avs, it seems, are headed toward a desperate, rebuilding “Generation A” youth campaign, a la the Rockies. Is that a hockey roster or Tour de France also-rans?
THE COUCH
ON: Roger Federer, the world’s No. 1-ranked player, the winner of 46 straight matches on grass, has not lost a set at Wimbledon this year and could become the first player since Bjorn Borg in 1976 to win Wimbledon without dropping a set. Unranked Jonas Bjorkman – Federer’s opponent in today’s semifinal on KUSA-9 – is the oldest semifinalist since Jimmy Connors. Good luck, Jonas. The men’s final airs Sunday at 7 a.m. The women’s champion will be decided Saturday at 7 a.m.
OFF: The Cabbage Head Duathlon in Wiggins has an odd history. The 5K run-30K bike-5K run race, which used to be known as the Wiggins Duathlon, achieved some reknown as the race in which an athlete was kept from the finish line after his bike crashed into a cat. According to organizers, the cat got away without a scratch, but the racer broke his collarbone. Try your luck Saturday starting at 8 a.m. Check www.racingunderground.com for more information.
AROUND TOWN
Some 2,500-year-old sophistication will grace the Denver area this weekend when the Denver Polo Club hosts its annual Invitational Polo Tournament. The centuries-old sport was once the exclusive activity of nobles. The matches start at noon Saturday and Sunday, with other festivities, including an Argentine barbecue, a prettiest hat contest and dressage competitions throughout the day. Check www.denverpoloclub.com for more information.
