This blog is the day after Matchday 21 because I couldn't watch the second match until today. I saw the first game live but the second game I had to tape. I was on the side of a new house putting up siding. Hooray for physical labour!
So, were their hearts in it? I am talking about Argentina, of course. What happened? It was like they didn't even try. Germany was almost unstoppable, but almost isn't certain. Argentina was a huge disappointment for me because although they were there (on the pitch and at the game) in body (physically there), they were not there in spirit. It was like they didn't want to win. Their hearts weren't in it.
Let's hope that Spain brings their bodies and hearts to their game against Germany in the semi-final. Paraguay was a strong opponent for Spain and they could easily have won that game. I like Spain but I thought Paraguay should have won. If Spain plays like they did yesterday when they meet Germany, it will not be a good game. I am, however, hoping for the best. A strong game between two powerful contenders.
Today we are listing expressions used by football announcers that include the word "heart".
1) "African hearts are broken." - To have a "broken heart" is a common expression in many languages. Anything that makes you very sad can "break your heart" or be "heartbreaking". We often talk about romance with this expression but, in this case, we are talking about love of country. When Ghana lost their quarter-final game against Uruguay, the commentator said, "African hearts are broken". No statement could be more fitting. When your team misses a penalty kick that could have seen you on to the semi-finals, it is "heartbreaking".
2) a "heart-stopping" moment OR their "hearts were in their mouths" OR it "gave their hearts a flutter" - These are used any time something happens to cause extreme anticipation. We also say someone's heart "missed a beat" ("Missing a beat" is the same as "fluttering the heart" as both refer to abnormal heart function due to fear.) or their "breath was taken away". We use these expressions anytime something suspenseful is about to be resolved. The moment before the movie killer takes off their mask is a "heart-stopping" moment. The moment before your girlfriend says "yes" to your offer of marriage can also be a "heart-stopping" moment. My "heart was in my mouth" while I waited for the doctor to tell me my test results.
3) "at the heart of" the defense... - Here the announcer is talking about the football team's defensive players. The "heart of" the defense here is one or two of the strong players that the defense is "built around". This is similar to talking about a "foundation", "core" or "basis". You can use this kind of expression anywhere you want to describe a focus around which something or someone else is functioning. Often the kitchen is considered "the heart of" the house. The "heart of " your sales team may be your top two sales people. The heart of the company can be the best manager that works there.
To "get at the heart of something" is to try to find the main idea ("We need to get at the heart of this problem.") or the core of a person's problems ("Can you tell me what is at the heart of your insomnia?").
4) "This is not a time for faint hearts." - There is a quote commonly used and referred to :"Faint heart never won fair maiden." as attributed to Miguel Cervantes. The quote is generally suggesting that a man who wants to win the heart (receive the affection from) a fair maiden (a pretty lady) must be brave (not of faint heart). A "faint heart" refers to someone who is timid and easily faints (loses consciousness temporarily - like some people when they see blood) when the pressure is high and/or danger is present. The football announcer here was describing how the players must behave during the penalty shootout. A player is tired and mentally exhausted after having played for 120 minutes but he must gather his mind and inner strength to perform his best under the extreme pressure of the penalty kicks.
Bring on the FIFA World Cup 2010 Semi-Final matches!
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