it is NOT 'important' in the way some folks want it to be...

it is wonderful when your team does well, and it is exciting watching some of the best teams in the world compete, but in any single game (as we have seen), the 'best' team may not win......If Portugal were to play the US and Korea 10 times each, they might win 7-8 of the 10. This time they didn't. (And the US might beat Poland 7 of 10...they didn't this time)

Therefore is is worse than ludicrous for people to connect the depths of their souls and national pride with what happens on a football field!!! Be happy, pleased, disappointed, sad, joyous....whatever the day calls for....but NOT like the guy who shot the Colombian player a few years ago for an accidental 'own goal'.

It IS still just a game....

*rant over* ..go back to your emotional biases and recriminations now.....(what--me? opinionated?...naawwwww)