There is a fever more widespread than chikungunya affecting Barbados, and much of the world’s population has it.
World Cup 2014 is here and, with it, the dreaded football fever. And this week Street Beat is talking to some people who have caught the fever and are glad to have it.
Winston Marshall is one of those people and he is working to accommodate others similarly afflicted. He owns the Parkinson Field Business Centre in St Michael and was in the process of renovating it into a bar and lounge when the team passed.
The renovations included the setting up of a projection screen which Marshall, a supporter of Germany, said would allow neighbourhood residents to come and watch World Cup games.
“We will be looking to show games immediately, definitely by tomorrow,” he said.
Germany are doing well so far and Marshall said he was sure they could go all the way this year.
“I was married to a German lady and fell in love with the team too. They are doing okay. I just need them to settle down a bit. Ghana played well, I can’t take anything from them [the teams tied 2-2] but I believe Germany should win the next game versus the United States and could win the tournament this year too,” he said.
On the off chance they failed in this quest, Marshall said he would be consoled if “any African team” took home the cup.
In the Ivy, also in St Michael, another enterprising young man was also in the process of setting up his bar, called the New Era Bar, for World Cup viewing. While declining to be identified, he said the venture had multiple layers and would result in something positive for an area where there has been a series of gun-related incidents.
“I am renovating the place to be a sports bar. I had a set-up last World Cup but this time I have a flat-screen [television] with more to come. Besides the financial aspect, having this here is a way to keep the guys together and provides an area where they can gather without any harassment. It helps to bring something positive to the neighbourhood, which is something badly needed here,” he said.
A sports bar is nothing without patrons and one of them, who identified himself only as “Saigon”, gave his opinion on the World Cup.
“I think this is the greatest World Cup so far because the most goals have scored at this stage than in any other World Cup so this has to be the best ever,” he said.
At the time Street Beat spoke to the men, Argentina were battling Nigeria, which resulted in something of a dilemma for “Saigon” as he supported Argentina but also all the African teams. Argentina won the match 3-2.
As for his dream finals, he foresaw Argentina defeating Brazil to take home the trophy.
National footballer David “Straughn” Best was outside liming during the Argentina match. He said, as a footballer himself, he was an avid follower of the game but it was simply that the teams playing currently had no bearing on his pick, Brazil.
“My real team is Brazil and they playing Chile Saturday. Right now the teams playing [Argentina and Nigeria] to see who tops their group and I would check in to see the results but if Brazil was playing, you would not see me out here,” he said.
Best said he went into ritual mode when Brazil was on and brooked no disturbances.
“I will be in a locked room, just me and the TV. Don’t call me for nothing – I am not moving; I can’t be around people talking when Brazil playing, so I would only come out for the break, then back in again,” he said, adding he also liked the Netherlands team.
Brommel Griffith was spotted playing road tennis during the match. He adamantly declared that Argentina was “nonsense” and he cared little about their fate, predicting their future loss to Germany.
“Them players already make their money and they already fit. I can’t waste time watching them. Besides, Argentina ain’t no team. They will meet Germany and get knock out; they just look good,” he said.
Griffith called a Ghana versus Germany showdown in the final.
