Campioni del Mondo!

As someone of Italian ancestry (no, not Hawaiian - maybe if it was a "k" instead of a "c" that would make sense), it is natural to feel proud of one's ancestry after Italy's victory over France in the World Cup (what was Zinedine Zidane thinking anyway?)

Not knowing much about what the rest of the world calls football, and like most other Americans having little appreciation for how the world (ex-U.S.A.) comes to a virtual standstill while the final match is played, there was similar head scratching during the penalty kicks that ultimately decided the outcome.

Is it just me, or does it look like the goalie is trying to avoid being hit by the ball rather than trying to stop it?

Of course, one can imagine what questions the rest of the world asks about the American version of football - what with the tight pants and big bellies and grunting and groaning and the little guy that comes in at the end to decide the outcome ...

ooo

Since The Economist now seems to arrive on Monday or Tuesday, and the cartoon is no longer available for weekend publication, here's this week's cover instead.