by Hornswoggle

Let’s talk about what’s happening on Sunday. Yes… there will be hockey games on (pending heat fears/rain fears/Cro’s whining). But there is a sporting event whose result could have greater impact on the international stage and fortunately, since the vast majority of us at BTSH are over 21, we get to witness the unraveling at a local bar, or our friends’ cribs with a decent spread of food and booze. That event, comrades, is the World Cup final.

Four years ago, over one billion viewers (that’s nearly one-sixth of the total population!!!) saw Germany’s Philipp Lahm hoist the 5-kilogram Jules Rimet trophy, just minutes after a Mario Götze half-volley sailed past Argentina’s Sergio Romero in extra time. Honestly, we could’ve seen one of the world’s greatest—though not the GOAT, I think—Lionel Messi on that podium that year. And unfortunately, neither he nor his greatest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, get that very chance this time, both teams having been eliminated relatively early in the tournament.

This year has a somewhat different twist; France, who lost (in their own country!!!) to Cristiano and the Portuguese two years ago in the European Championships, have returned with a vengeance, adding a specific phenom named Kylian Mbappé to their starting XI. Breaking hearts left and right with relatively close shaves between Argentina and Belgium nonetheless proved that they’ve got both the gall and the firepower to see the tournament through. (And also I placed bets for them to win… because betting in New Jersey is legal now.)

Remember I mentioned that the event could have greater impact on the world stage? Well… France will be facing Croatia in the final; if you’re even 1% Croatian, you should be very proud, as it’s the national team’s first trip to the final ever. Certainly the country of just over 4,000,000 is reeling over the idea that their beloved Luka Modri? could be that guy on magazine covers and social media doing what Philipp Lahm did four years back. His team’s road to the final was quite different from France’s; in fact, nearly all the teams they faced were convinced that the Croats are beatable, but the Croats’ persistence to live through extra time and penalty kicks (twice) helped them escape to better pastures, which got a little greener each time they realized victory. On 6 July, Croats commemorated the anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide—from which some people say was the worst post-WWII atrocity to ever occur—so for that to happen as their national team achieves success in football is significant, since football could be the tool that unites countries in the region (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia) towards a mutual understanding of histories and a paving for a compassionate, respecting future together.

Okay, so we’ve looked at the two sides for Sunday’s final, and I bet you’re expecting a prediction. As this is one match, anything could happen. Instead, I’ll give you a personal reflection of everything that has transpired in the tournament—at least only the main points: VAR has been instrumental (it’s just that the final decisions are wrong sometimes); the fourth substitution in extra time has been a lifesaver for some (Russia, mainly); and the “fair play” rule—which eliminated Senegal, who has future Champions League winner Mané—can shatter dreams instantly. All that said, I had France to win long before June 15, and I knew because the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, and de Bruyne didn’t stand with squads as seasoned, robust, and risk-taking like Les Bleus. France will be victorious with a 2-0 scoreline, Griezmann will be doing his Fortnite “L” dance, and Deschamps will retire a winner, but not without Subaši? standing on his head, Vida getting admonished for slapping a Frenchman’s face with his ponytail, and Lovren beating his chest like Tarzan (no, not MDF’s brother.)

Everyone, please drink responsibly (unless you’re Ellery, then you get a pass), enjoy the final, and properly rehydrate for your games!