World Cup 2014 kicks off this Thursday, and I just love the awestruck faces that men make when they hear a woman talking sports, especially soccer.
We spoke to Univision commentator, Jesús "El Profe" Bracamontes (yes, he is related to Jacqueline Bracamontes- he is her dad), to give us the information we need to impress the men in our lives with our newfound World Cup knowledge.
Read more ¿Qué más?: 10 Signs you are in a soccer-obsessed family
1. Basic rules: There are 11 players on the field for each team. The match is 90 minutes long, with two 45-minute halves and a 15 min. break between them.
2. The main fouls: There are the obvious ones: No kicking or pushing other players, etc. It's also a foul to spit at another player (you think?.) Also, NOBODY can touch the ball with their hands, except the goalkeeper.
3. The main players: The best players in the world right now are Lionel Messi, from Argentina, Neymar Jr. from Brazil and Portugal's papacito, __Cristiano Ronaldo.
__
4. The harshes penalties: A penalty kick is freezes the soul of a soccer fan. Is the punishment for fouling a player from the opposite team when he is inside the lines that surrounds the goal. A yellow card is given as a BIG warning. Two yellow cards in a row will grant you a suspension. A red card is for a major foul and the player is kicked out of the game__,__ leaving the team with 10 men.__
5. World Cup 101:__ It's played every four years. The last World Cup was in South Africa, this one is in Brazil, next one will be in Russia in 2018. It's held by FIFA (International Federation of Association Football), the international body that governs soccer worldwide.
6. Fan favorites: Home country Brazil and Germany are the favorites. Spain, the current champion, is also considered a strong contender. However, many would love to see Messi's Argentina with the World Cup.
__The 7th and last is mine:
__
7. Soccer players exaggerate everything on the field: Sometimes soccer players deserve prizes for acting. Sometimes you will see them grimmacing in pain on the grass, but miraculously begin playing when the referree ignores them. Unless he is on a stretcher, do not feel bad for him. It's a tactic to slow down the game or to force a penalty on a rival.
So, your are all set! Ah, and if all of the above seems too much, El profe told me that the most important thing is to not to look scared with all the commotion and learn to scream in Spanish: "Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool"
Images vía Corbis Image, Univision
