The German Football Federation announced (de) that assistant coach Joachim Löw got a 2-year contract as national trainer, after Jürgen Klinsmann elected not to renew his contract after the Worldcup. Löw hails from Schönau (de) in the Black Forest, and I find it intriguing to see a fellow Badenser and former player at SC Freiburg (our regional football “powerhouse”) take the reins of the national team. It appears that Löw will provide good continuity of Klinsmann’s style and leadership – hopefully also of Klinsmann’s success.

Germany’s biggest loss of this Worldcup came today – two days after the closing ceremony, as the German Football Federation (DFB) confirms Jürgen Klinsmann’s decision to quit. Considering his commute and the amount of abuse he had to suffer before the Worldcup, his decision does not come as a total shock – just as a major disappointment. Thank you, Herr Klinsmann, for your courage to make hard decisions, and for pulling together a fantastic team that played some of the best football in this tournament and that put the spunk back into German football.

On the positive side, however, 90 percent of the foreign Worldcup tourists say that they would recommend Germany as a tourist destination (according to a poll conducted by the German tourism association DZT). The images from Germany during the last month have been very positive: cheerful enthusiasm and hospitality, combined with a new flag-waving self-confidence that seems to be generally well-received.

Personally, I find all this flag-waving a bit silly, but on the other hand it appears to be a sign of a cheerful, self-confident flavor of patriotism that is hardly threatening. And after all, they are waving the banner of the German Märzrevolution (de) (en) of 1848, which was a perfectly respectable (if ill-fated) Democratic revolution. Of all the flags Germans might be waving, we like this one best …

Busy, hot day today at the Eno Festival – but lots of fun! The festival was well attended and we had a constant stream of people with questions about biodiesel: “Can I use it in my car?” – “Where can I get it?” – “How is it made?” – What do you do with the glycerol?” – How does it compare to Ethanol?” – ” How much does it cost?” … All perfectly reasonable questions, and we were excited to see all this interest.

The BBC’s Newsnight published an interviw with Joseph Kony (left), the leader of the so-called “Lord’s Resistance Army” (LRA), which is responsible for the genocide on the Acholi people of Northern Uganda. This is the first-ever interview with Kony, who is wanted by a UN court for war crimes. The BBC also posted an interview with one of the LRA’s victims, the 25-year-old Ugandan Ochola John (right) (warning – the contents of the interview are quite graphic).

The importance of this interview is probably not so much in what Kony said (which is not much), but merely in the fact that it took place at all. Maybe it’s a sign that the LRA is truly interested in peace talks with Museveni’s government.

See Uganda-CAN for frequent updates on the situation in Uganda.

With Ghana, Australia and Ecuador out, all that is left at the FIFA Worldcup® is millionaire football. Both Ghana and Australia got screwed by the FIFA refs (unfair, 92nd-minute penalty against the socceroos and two off-side goals for Brazil against Ghana). Too bad – millionaire football is not that much fun.

Most Germans, I think, would profess to “love nature.” yet, when “nature” has claws and teeth, it must die.

Naturliebe auf Deutsch: gepflegte Waldwege zum Wandern, ein sauberes Gasthaus zum einkehren, ein paar Rehe am Waldrand. Bloss kein Stress. Ein wilder Bär? Ein “Risikobär??” Das kann ja wohl nicht sein! Der muss abgeschossen werden befor “noch was passiert!”

Gestern ist Bruno gestorben. Die Bedeutung seines Todes ist aber noch lange nicht klar. Die deutsche und internationale Presse hat sich daher Gedanken gemacht. Im folgenden dokumentieren wir die Ergebnisse.
Pressespiegel zum Tod des Bären Bruno tagesschau.de

Es ist zu schade dass die Deutschen (Politiker) nicht meher Mut hatten sich etwas mehr auf Bruno’s Bären-natur einzulassen. Ruhe in Frieden, Bruno.

As of last weekend TDI does not only stand for outstanding fuel economy but also for “superior racing platform.” The Audi R10 TDI of Joest Racing made history with the first-ever win of a diesel-powered race car at the 24-hours of LeMans – one of the toughest and most prestigious races in motor sports.

The fans on the race track and a worldwide audience of millions of TV viewers saw an impressive demonstration of Audi TDI Power and the performance of modern diesel engines. The brace of Audi R10 TDI cars, powered by a 650 hp V12 TDI engine, were by far the fastest and most economical cars. During the entire race, one of the new diesel sportscars from Ingolstadt was at the head of the field. Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen drove the fastest lap of the race, setting a 3m 31.211s time, and he was the first driver at the wheel of an LM P1 sportscar to cover 16 laps with one fuel load. Completing 380 laps, Audi also set a new distance record.

In the race, the advantage in fuel consumption of the Audi TDI Power was visible for the spectators too: on average, the Audi drivers only pitted every 14 laps to refuel 90 litres of Shell V-Power Diesel. The opposition, who relies on petrol engines, had to pit considerably more often. The fans were also impressed just how quiet an environmentally friendly 650-hp sportscar can be.
Joest Racing press release, 18/06/06

I wonder if these diesel racers can run on biodiesel??!

…. for the goal-less first half of the game, but after Patrick Vieira’s goal in the 55th Minute the Eperviers collapse and France reels in a 2-0 victory.

Too bad that the first appearance at the Worldcup was such a bumpy ride for the team from Togo. But I hope they still had a good time in Germany (especially the players who don’t live in Germany). I certainly enjoyed watching the games at my favorite bar here in Durham. They played very spirited football and showed great resilience, despite their difficulties with their management. FIFA has intervened and assures us that the players will be paid by the FTF.

La Liberation has an interesting portrait (fr) of the president of the FTF (Fédération togolaise de football):

Président de la fédération togolaise et fils de l’ex-dictateur Eyadéma, l’imprévisible Rock Gnassingbe a plongé son équipe dans le chaos pour son premier Mondial.
Gnassingbe Rock’n’Roll par Stéphane Regy, 19 juin 2006.

Regy describes the son of Togo’s late strongman Gnassingbé Eyadema as a poor manager who allows very little financial transparency, and who appears to prefer the company of the animals at his private zoo to the mundane duties of running an organization.

The zoo at the Togolese camp in Germany was a direct result of the incompetent leadership at the FTF, and resulted in an ill-prepared and distracted team that was unable to realize all its potential. The chaos also sadly reinforced old stereotypes about Africa and African leadership. But worst of all, it let down the people of Togo, who deserve better than that, and who could have really used a boost in national self-confidence after the political unrest of the last six months.

Ghana beat USA and qualifies for the next round! Only to meet Brazil … oh well …

Happy solstice to all you Wiccans!

The picture says it all: the 2-0 loss of the Eperviers against Switzerland is no big shock to most, but nevertheless a big disappointment to many. It seems that the back-and-forth over the premiums, and the FIFA’s “play-or-else” order, left very little spunk in that team. Sadly, Togo’s first Worldcup appearance will not primarily be remembered for the quality of the football the players played, but for the incompetence of their management.
(Image copyright Getty Images)

The BBC’s James Copnall wrote a piece that, despite its snarky, almost condescending tone, scratches the surface of the Togo story slightly deeper than the usual “greedy-players” line of the ESPN talking heads. At least he bothers to ask some Togolese what they think:

“A famished player cannot play good football, so I think they should get the money,” one fan said.

“After all, the World Cup has brought lots of money into Togolese football, and it should go to the players.”

Fifa gives each nation that qualifies for the World Cup $5.7 million (£3.1m), and each country makes additional money from sponsorship.

“If the players don’t get the money it will just go straight into the pockets of the administrators,” said another fan.
Bonus row haunts failed Togo bid, BBC News, 19 June 2006

Yeah, the Togolese get it. They know their officials. If the FTF pockets all the FIFA money and the players have to hitch-hike home, it still does not really qualify as a proper scandal in Togo. I mean, the official Togo government mouthpiece proudly announced today that the President Faure Gnassingbé appointed his brother Mey Gnassingbé to a juicy government post. Imagine George Bush announcing that he appointed his brother Jeb to be the FEMA Director. Uh – bad example – Jeb already HAS a juicy government job in Florida …

The NY Times also manages to see a bit past the “greedy players” line:

At the heart of most of Togo’s team troubles is money. The bonuses the players seek may seem disproportionate to the means of the country, which is slightly smaller than West Virginia with a population of about 5.6 million. But the equation is not that simple. Togo’s Sparrow Hawks are all professionals with European and Middle Eastern clubs, and the star forward Emmanuel Adebayor plays for Arsenal, the English power.

[snip]
Each federation receives $5.8 million from FIFA for qualifying for the World Cup. The eventual champion will receive a bonus pool of $21.8 million. Viewed in that context, the demands by Togo’s team are perhaps less strident.

[snip]
The president of Togo’s soccer federation, Rock Gnassingbé, whose brother, Faure, is president of the country, has been accused by the federation’s treasurer of a lack of accountability in handling finances, according to news reports.
Togo’s Chaotic Trip to Remember and Forget, Ny Times, June 14, 2006

Uh, yeah … you read that correctly … the president of the the FTF (Federation Togolaise de Football) is the brother of the countries president, Faure Gassingbé, who is the son of the former president of Togo, Gassingbé Eyadema. Get it? Togo is a family business, of sorts. And in the end, this nepotism is directly responsible for the $1,600-a-year per-capita income of Togo. And now this nepotism spoiled Togo’s innaugural appearance at the Worldcup.

Finally FIFA intervened and explained to the team from Togo that they will play … or else … after the Togolese Football bosses proved to be completely incapable of resolving this embarrassing dispute.

The coach Otto Pfister appears to be sympathetic to the players’ grievances:

“I understand the players, they are being promised things but then nothing happens,” he told reporters at the hotel before the team left for the airport.

Pfister said the federation had yet to pay the players an agreed 50,000 euros ($62,500 dollars) bonus for reaching the finals.

Each team at the World Cup is paid one million Swiss francs (642,000 euros) by FIFA who also pay the travel cost of 45 people per squad.
Togo players end cup boycott fears, CNN, June 18, 2006

That’s probably extra hard to swallow, when all these FTF so-called-officials come to Germany and expect to live large on FIFA expenses.

FRANKFURT, June 18 (Reuters) – Togo did not leave their team base Wangen on Sunday on time for a planned departure to their next World Cup group match.

‘We are still in the hotel,’ coach Otto Pfister told Reuters on the phone when the team was meant to get on the plane to Dortmund, where they are due to play Switzerland on Monday.
Will Togo turn up for Switzerland match?, ESPN, 6/18/06

What will it take for the FTF to figure out a solution??

What a day full of surprises in the Worldcup! Ghana v. Czech Rep. was one of the best, most exciting games I have seen so far. The Black Stars brought the Czech team to its knees and won a great upset. And then the USA – Italy battle … horrible football … but what drama. Wow!

We watched both games at Satisfaction in Durham, and the USA game drew quite a crowd – who says the Americans don’t like football (the real football). Americans appreciate a good, competitive sport when they see one! I noticed a few people stay and watch the game, although they did not go there to see the game, and probably had no idea the Worldcup was on.

I am looking forward to next Thursday’s games – this should be interesting!

[UPDATE: Ghanaweb summarizes today’s game in three words …]

The ongoing trainer/premiums comedy has inflicted quite a bit of international embarrassment upon Togo’s Worldcup team – mostly due to the incompetence of the Togolese football management. Yet, the eperviers gained some respect back in today’s game against South Korea. They fought hard, and showed a strong defense, and some good offense action. Had it not been for a bad foul by their captain, Jean-Paul Abalo on Ji Sung Park, for which Abalo saw the red card and was sent to the bench, this game might have very well ended differently. But for a team without coach and with one man down for half the game, they still gave South Korea a run for their money.

Summaries: ARD (de) | RFI (fr) | BBC (en) | reactions from Togo (BBC)

It makes me mad when the media discuss the premiums of the players for Togo and they point to the average per-capita income for Togo as a comparison for the 155,000 Euro premiums promised to the players. BULLSHIT. Most Togolese players live and work in Europe, and in the European context that is not such an outrageous premium. Some of the other teams pay a lot more than that. Also, the FIFA contributes at least 4.5 Million Euros to every team in the finals. And the Gnassingé clan, who runs Togo, is worth Billions of Dollars (Google cache).

So, the players see their boss Rock Gnassingbé get off his private jet with an entourage of FTF fonctionnaires, expecting to live large in Germany on FIFA money. Yet, the FTF bosses are surprised that the players are not very inclined to play for the honor of the nation and a bowl of fufu??

[UPDATE: here’s another Togo Football blog]

[UPDATE: Agbessi over at Au Village vents his frustration (fr) about the situation with the Togolese Football management. You tell ’em, my friend.]

In one way Togo already lost the Worldcup. Sadly, this loss was not inflicted upon the team, and the country, in a fair sports competition in the stadium. Rather, the incompetence of the football (soccer) bosses of the Togolese Football Federation (FTF) bear full responsibility for the current, sad state of affairs.

The lack of leadership within the FTF is almost comical. It seems rather unclear who is in charge there. Winfried Schäfer, who at one point was supposed to take over as coach, reportedly (de) said that “too many officials are running around” at the camp of Togo’s team in Wangen, and one of the coaches, Mawuena Kodjovi, is scheming in the background. Schäfer cited the persistent, total chaos and lack of leadership as the reason he lost interest in the job.

After Schäfer’s retreat, on Monday, Messan Attolou announced that Pfister would be back on the job. Reportedly, an intervention from Rock Gnassingbé, who is supposedly in charge of the FTF, brought about an agreement. Then, two hours later, a special envoy from the President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé (yes – the brother of Rock Gnassingbé!) – the President of the Togolese Olympic Commitee Zoumaro Gnofame says that, no, Kodjovi Mawuena will be coach.

None of this helps to clarify to the rest of the world who is in charge at the FTF. But it does shed some light on the management competence of Rock Gnassingbé.

Oh boy – that’s IT for the eperviers’ chances in this worldcup.

Pfister only took charge of the team earlier this year Togo’s World Cup Group G preparations are in turmoil after coach Otto Pfister resigned over a pay dispute.
His former assistant Kodjovi Mawuena will take charge of the side for their first game with South Korea on 13 June. “When I started to be manager of Togo, I was promised that bonuses for the players would be cleared,” Pfister told Fifaworldcup.com.
Togo coach Pfister quits over pay, BBC News, 10 June 2006

There had been rumblings about money problems and the, but this really sucks. I guess the Togolese Football Federation just has NO interest in the team doing well and earning some respect for the West African country.

Many years ago, I spent several intense, fun summers in Morocco. Besides biking through the Atlas and hanging out at various beaches, I spent weeks roaming the Médina of Fès with my Fassi friends Mammoun and Mohammed.

Samir at A View from Fès posted some great accounts – and wonderful pictures by Suzanna Clarke – about the ongoing Festival of Sacred Music in Fès. Boy – I wish I could be there! The Sufi Nights sounds amazing! Maybe next year …
photo copyright Suzanna Clarke 2006

The word of the day, on this day – 6/6/06, I guess, is hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia:

Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia is a fear which originates in the belief that the Biblical verse, Revelation 13:18, indicates that the number 666 is linked to Satan or the Anti-Christ. Outside the Christian faith, the phobia has been further popularized as a leitmotif in various horror films.

Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobes avoid things related to the number 666, such as a building in which the number is prominently displayed.
Wikipedia

So if you’re freaking out over today’s date, or maybe even feel like participating in prayer marathon, this one’s for you. You may think you know the number of the beast, but we now do know the name of your illness.

PS: I guess the word for this affliction would be Hexakosioihexekontahexaphilia?!

It’s spring and the wildlife in the woods is going – uh – wild!

Chipmunks
The cats are out hunting every day. They catch frogs, lizards, shrews, and chipmunks. Yesterday I saw Deha, the Siamese, in the driveway, hovering over what I thought was fresh kill. So I went to see what she got, and found it was a juvenile chipmunk. Deha had lost interest in it, so I picked it up and carried it off into the woods, so the children would not find it. When I dropped it on some leaves in the woods, it started squirming, and I took another look, and it did not actually seem seriously injured, and probably was just pretending to be dead. When I picked it up it started to squirm vigorously in my hands. “Very clever” I thought “You play dead, and cats get bored with you.”

I put the little guy into our chipmunk habitat, where our other rescued chipmunk has been living for well over a year – pretty happily, I think. After a while the older chipmunk came over to check out the new guy, who was still pretty freaked out. Finally the little guy settled in in a hollow log and went to sleep. That’s where he/she still is. Once in a while the older one goes over there and sticks his head in the log. This morning, Laura dropped a grape on the little guy’s head. He looked up, sniffed the grape, and proceeded to chow down on that yummy “manna from above.”

When chipmunks die and go to heaven, they end up in a place where it rains grapes.

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