Goal Celebration of the Day: Day 1

Now, as my colleague Yank the Tank so astutely noted, there were very few goals today. Games, too, now that you mention it. But nothing can stop me from giving out a damn award.

Out of the whopping 2 goals scored in 180+ minutes of play (That's right, world! You show America all the fast-paced action it's been missing out on by blatantly ignoring soccer!), there was a clear winner in the celebration category. Congratulations, South Africa. You're the winner of SOMETHING in the 2010 World Cup! Enjoy it. It's downhill from here.



The celebration following the opening goal of the tournament, a downright nasty strike into the top corner (from a guy who's name has more lalala's than the opening scene of The Christmas Carol), was nothing short of exemplary for a variety of reasons:

• It had a throwback vibe. Discussion Point: Was I the only one who was 100% convinced that the entire South African team was going to celebrate the first goal of the World Cup with the Macarena? To my naive eyes, the first few moves were indistinguishable from our favorite mid-90's dance craze. I nearly shat myself with joy.
  
• It allowed for some good ol' fashioned veiled racism! That's right, Alexi Lalas. It was quite 'African' and, above all, very 'rhythmic.' If only Europeans could move in unison! Forget about the beat, we've got to focus on moving at roughly the same time for now. World Cup 2014, watch out for the German samba. It's coming.
  
• It was a multi-phase event. After the few seconds of macarena (bliss), it transformed into something which can only be described as 'the TWA.' Yes, that's an awful reference. No, I don't feel bad.
  

For its combination of soul, nostalgia, and multi-part mastery, this celebration grabs the top spot on day 1.

Tip of the cap to you, South Africa. That celebration alone validates your selection as World Cup host. As a result, you're spared (for at least 24 hours) any commentary on those godforsaken buzzy horns.

Seriously. Eff the buzzy horns.