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Henry Bonsu
England expects
Sunday, June 17, 2012 / [1513 Reads] /
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MoreLet me be clear, I don't feel the 46 years of hurt like your average Englishman, of African, Anglo-Saxon origin or otherwise. In fact I find this tabloid expectation that England must get to at least the semi-final of every football tournament a deeply irritating overhang of empire. But I must confess, when Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck rewrote the familiar script that said the Three Lions must always capitulate to the Vikings, I found myself roaring approval. One, because it involved the collective drama that only football can provide. And, two, because this was essentially a black England team turning over a blond Swedish team in a country whose stadia often resound to the chants of Neo-Nazi Ultras.
So, while the tabloids shower the majority of their praise on Roy Hodgson and Andy Carroll, let's revel in the names Ashley Cole, Ashley Young (bad game notwithstanding), Danny Welbeck, Glen Johnson (forgiven for Suarez!) Theo Walcott (top footballing brain, Hansen!), Joleon Lescott (forgiven for being Man City), and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. For although, together, they may outnumber the black England fans in the Olympic stadium in Kiev, they made an important statement that goes way beyond the beautiful game.
Henry Bonsu
Sunday, June 17, 2012 / [1513 Reads] /
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