Soccer Too

Britons' stiff upper lips have had practice in getting stiffer as they watched their national championships go to foreigners in such made-in-England sports as cricket, boxing, golf and tennis (see below). Heretofore, they have consoled themselves with the knowledge that at least their soccer players were still top hole. But even the soccer picture was turning black.

A fortnight ago some upstart Americans, from a country which usually yawns at the game, beat the British, 1-0, in one of the international soccer matches at Rio de Janeiro. Last week, when Spain beat them again and ousted them from the World Championships, the London Daily Herald took note of it with a black-bordered, formal funeral announcement on the front page:

"In affectionate remembrance of English football, which died at Rio on July 2, 1950. Deeply lamented by a large circle of narrowing friends and acquaintances ..."

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