More than just sport

For the daily Latvijas Avīze the significance of the Football World Cup extends beyond sport well into the realm of politics: "Already in Ancient Rome the people could be kept happy with bread and games. Football events are the biggest spectacle of our time, which is why just before the start of the World Cup people will be more ready to stomach unpleasant decisions taken by their leaders. In Germany, for example, critics believe Angela Merkel's austerity package met with very little outrage simply because the Germans are more caught up with team captain Michael Ballack's injury than the resignation of the German President Horst Köhler. France, by the same token, is now involved in a debate over retirement and pension reform. So like all other presidents in a similar situation President Sarkozy has every interest in the French team getting as far as possible to improve the public mood and raise his popularity."

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