Quidditch World Cup vs the Fútbol World Cup

 The FIFA fútbol, aka football, aka soccer (because we Americans are weird) World Cup ended this last Sunday, and it's been a crazy month.

(And for the record I believe Soccer in the States should be called Football, and American Football should be called Grid Iron, but that's just my two cents.)

Anyway, Spain not surviving the group round was a total shock.  That game they played with the Netherlands was tragic.

And the USA making it to round 16, kicking out Portugal, was such a pleasant suprise!  And it put Tim Howard on the map.  (He's a total Time Lord BTW, in case you were wondering :0)

And then Argentina and Germany played their final match.  My brother Robbie, who lived in Argentina for two years serving a mission, was so focused on the game: curled up in a ball, pillow to his chest, eyes glued . . . I'm only half exaggerating.

Robbie: This game is going to be so intense!
Steven: I'm rooting for Germany.
Robbie: Shush! Shush your mouth!

* Later *

 
(Steven catching the last minute of the game) 

Steven: Robbie.. Are you ok?
Robbie: ... *Looks left, then right* ...
Me: Robbie?
Robbie: Yeah.. I'm just super bummed.

Poor kid.

Germany won.  They played a great game.  Germany played many great games, including beating us in Group G, earning 7 points to our 4.

But still . . .

 This happened, coldness between Manuel Neuer and Lionel Messi, the Golden Glove Winner and Golden Ball winner, respectively.

Meanwhile, over in the magical land of Hogwarts, aka Pottermore.com, the Quidditch World cup was underway.  Quidditch World Cup 2014!!  And we even got the last match in real time via instant posting on the site.

The top 4 teams was USA, Japan, Bulgaria, and Brazil.  We took 3rd and 4th with Japan, meanwhile Bulgaria and Brazil went for first and second.

Ginny Weasley Potter is the Daily Prophet sport reporter. You can read all her commentary under the Daily Prophet tab on Pottermore, all 23 entrees between all the countries.  Honestly, it's a lot of fun.

Rita Skeeter, that ol' snoop, provided the gossip, which was hilarious!  If you want to know what modern-day Harry and friends are up to, you need to wander over to the Daily Prophet.

Worth it!

 And just so you know, us Muggles can play Quidditch, too . . . 

And yes, they run around with a broom between their legs.

There's A LOT of teams around the US that play.  And you can even support the USQ (United States Quidditch) team by buying your very own USQ jersey.

I want one!!

It's a very cool design.