Bartenders and parking lot attendants weren't the only ones awake at dawn watching semi-final matches this week: A surprising number of local women also populated the local pubs.
Kelly Lo smacks her lips at the mention of players such as David Beckham.
She says she notices an "increase in adrenalin every four years" and associates it with the aphrodisiac-like qualities of the World Cup.
"There's definitely something exciting about seeing men sweat," Lo said.
In the past, Lo attended Sex and the City parties, weekly events based on the exploits of characters in the HBO series, attended by a dozen or so foreign-educated professional women.
Now, many of these friends have turned to sport instead of serial comedy as a vehicle to get together and admire all things masculine.
Other women attending late-night screenings seem to have had similar thoughts, and the rising hemlines may have to do with more than the arrival of a very hot summer.
"Some girls are dressed provocatively, like they want to be picked up," Lo said.
Lo says this female "competition" has led to her newest strategy of viewing World Cup games at five-star hotels in the Taipei area. Over the weekend, she made a reservation at the Churchill Cigar and Wine Bar Lounge at the Westin Hotel.
She didn't mind the NT$500 minimum charge, even throwing sideways glances at private rooms whose occupants pay a group minimum of NT$10,000.
On this night, three businessmen seated at a nearby table were nice enough to explain to her the meaning of "offside," demonstrating the rule infraction with a handful of complimentary nuts which they positioned on the table. The conversation lasted 20 minutes.
Lo's friend, Sandy, has been her near-constant companion throughout the month-long tournament. She's also looking forward to meeting a man during the soccer festival, or even running into a Frenchman she met months ago while on vacation in Malaysia.
When France squared off against Portugal last night, she was planning to go to a local bar and scan the crowd in the hope of reuniting with her old flame.
She might have run into Cade Bellahouel, a French national who wears a "Les Bleus" jersey whenever his team takes the field. He's fond of wearing the shirt to attract the attention of other French people, or simply those that support his side.
Bellahouel has been watching World Cup matches on Shida Road, either at the Underworld or Roxy Jr Cafe. He says local women may be naive about using the World Cup to find a new partner, later quipping: "Different thinking for different girls."
Not all women out late at night watching the World Cup are looking for men, of course. One 20-something named Joyce said she simply loves to watch the game.
Unfortunately, on Tuesday night, a crowded bar and an unruly crowd resulted in her being hit on the head by a beer glass, and she was unable to watch the second half of the Germany-Italy game.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely