Cheeky Chip

Formally announcing A World Cup Report, Welcome Soraya Soemadireja & Ulysse Pasquier, & Arselona recap

So I haven’t really made it a secret (at all), but I’m incredibly proud to have brought together such an amazing group of writers from all over the world for A World Cup Report, which will be home to AFR’s coverage of the month-long madness over the next few months!

The regular class-acts who have already established themselves here (besides Jordan & myself) at AFR, Dominic Vieira (Portugal), Andy Jones (England), & Mirko Corli (Italia) will all be joining relatively new, quality contributors with American, Brazilian, France, Asia & African, Greek, Scottish, English, & Spanish perspectives.

I’ve already introduced the community to Oliver Sparrow (England fan based in England), Nick Lichtenberg (USA supporter based in New York City), Lawrence Prince-Wright (Greek-blooded supporter studying at Emory University), Fernando Sell (Brazil supporter based in Juiz de Fora, Brazil), Ryan Morrison (Glasgow-based Scotland supporter, a “neutral”), and Dylan Lebecki (Spain supporter who is an Ecuador-born American living in Portugal, but will be going to university in Spain next year).

I’m ecstatic to announce the final two additions to the World Cup Report team: Soraya Soemadireja and Ulysse Pasquier!

Soraya describes herself as just another recovering diplobrat with a passion for the beautiful game! She’s particularly fascinated by the socio-political aspects of football, which she often mentions in her own blog. Having grown up transcontinentally, trailing after parents in international development and working in humanitarian relief, she has experienced first hand how football truly does bridge linguistic, religious, cultural, economic and age gaps…as much as it can divide. A hard-core Madridista, Soraya also follows Liverpool FC and Toronto FC, but grew up with radio and tv glued to Eredivisie, Serie A and Bundesliga. When it comes to the World Cup, she is all about the developing nations, since her Indonesia and her former hosts, the Philippines, have yet to break through (though she does have a startling large collection of Spanish jerseys…). Currently studying at the University of Toronto, Soraya cannot wait to share her intelligent insight from the perspective of those who are not heard the loudest in both politics and football.

Mr. Ulysse Pasquier, on the other hand, is a France-born, Quebec-based student at McGill University. Born in Paris, Ulysse moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia when he was 10 years old where he discovered the English Premier League and quickly grew a passion for it. Staying up late at night to watch the games, it was love at first sight when he saw Thierry Henry’s Arsenal play and he has been a devoted Gunners fan ever since. Thierry is still Ulysse’s favourite footballer of all time and my biggest regret will always be to never have witnessed his skill in Highbury’s glory. Now studying Political Science and Geography at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, his love for football has spread to the Spanish Liga and the Ligue 1. When it comes to international football however, he is still a Frenchie after all, and he does support Les Bleus.

So there you have it! A complete team that will be covering all the class, cunning, controversy on A World Cup Report. Though still starting up, the site is sure to be an amazing read encompasing the diversity that really embodies the tournament as a whole. The world’s game captured by global perspectives. What more can you ask for?

Cheers,

Eric Beard

By the way, if you haven’t been hiding under a rock (ahem, Real Madrid fans), then you know that the second leg of the Champions League tie between Arsenal & Barcelona finished Lionel Messi 4-1 Arsenal (6-3 Barcelona on aggregate, 4-3 Messi on aggregate). Barcelona will now face Inter Milan (who won 2-0 on aggregate against CSKA Moscow). That’s right, the Messiah is back, and I’m sure he’ll have something to say about this very soon. Until then, here are the highlights of the little Argentine’s destruction.