Argentine writer releases book of bizarre World Cup tales ahead of Qatar
A man jumped into a river full of crocodiles to get tickets for 2010’s World Cup, a Uruguay player returned to the field just after suffering a heart attack and a Russian couple broke up after arguing over who was the better player, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
These are some of the unusual facts that Argentine writer Luciano Wernicke has compiled in the latest version of his book Incredible World Cup Stories, published in 20 languages, ahead of the Qatar World Cup opening match on Sunday.
Wernicke looks at covering the world’s most important sporting event from “different perspectives,” he said in an interview with Reuters, as “even the smallest stories somehow describe what the passion for soccer is”.
In 1994, he wrote, an Albanian man went into a betting shop and gambled his wife on an Argentina win against Bulgaria. His bet lost 2-0, which subsequently led to the loss of his horrified wife as well.
https://t.co/Eud0oeEjR3@PlanetaLibrosAr @todonoticias pic.twitter.com/GPrgZjHFPy
— Luciano Wernicke (@LucianoWernicke) November 19, 2022
Sixteen years later, a radio station in host country South Africa offered two tickets to the final match to whoever did the craziest thing to get them. The winner: a man who threw himself into a river full of crocodiles.
With a new chapter added for each World Cup, this is Wernicke’s third edition of the book, and he is already gathering bizarre titbits on the upcoming Qatar tournament, the first to be held in a Middle Eastern country.
“There are many interesting things, starting with all these boycott claims and the human rights issues,” Wernicke, 52, said. “Outside of sports, there will undoubtedly be plenty. The social side will weigh heavily.”
Wernicke’s next chapter may be inspired by Friday’s news: World soccer governing body FIFA announced alcoholic beer would not be sold at stadiums in the conservative Muslim nation.
More Stories
Author Interview with CAROLINE HELENASDÓTTIR
TLT: What inspired you to write this title, "Saga of The Swedish Water Spirit," and how did Scandinavian mythology and...
Dr. Joseph K Thomas: A Remarkable Journey of Leadership, Service, and Literary Excellence
A Life of Leadership, Service & Literary Exploration: Dr. Joseph K Thomas is a man of remarkable versatility, a multifaceted...
Book Review: Goal Management by Sunil Pathak
Title: Goal Management Author: Sunil PathakPublisher: Rumour Books IndiaPages: 388Buy now Goal Management by Sunil Pathak is a comprehensive and...
BOOK REVIEW: COUNTDOWN by Soumitra Kandpal
Title: Countdown Author: Soumitra KandpalPublisher: Garuda PrakashanPages: 240Buy now Countdown by Soumitra Kandpal is a masterful thriller that intricately weaves...
वृक्षारोपण ही एकमात्र विकल्प है पर्यावरण को बचाने का : राजीव आचार्य
5 जून 24 को विश्व पर्यावरण दिवस के मौके पर आयोजित गोष्ठी में विशिष्ट अतिथि प्रसिद्ध साहित्यकार एवम पर्यावरणविद राजीव...
SIEL Book Fair in Rabat, 2024 Welcomes More Than 316,000 Visitors
Over 316,000 people attended the 29th edition of the International Book and Publishing Fair (SIEL), as reported by the Ministry...