On this quarterfinal eve, Alan and Mel welcome Fernando back from Costa Rica, where he spent several days watching the game against Germany and the Round of 16 unfold. He brings back his impressions from a country where futbol is everywhere; and then we turn our eyes to Qatar, where one team - and country - is everywhere, despite not competing at this World Cup. Palestine, the unofficial Team 33 of this tournament, is already the winner of the World Cup in the eyes of many, including those in Gaza and the West Bank who can feel and hear the enormous show of solidarity from players and fans of every side. The Palestinian people are not forgotten, but in the global spotlight at these games, undermining the normalization of Israeli occupation. We then turn to our predictions, hopes, signs and omens for the quarterfinal games today and tomorrow, casting our lots for what promises to be a fun and fateful round of matches.
","author_name":"The People's Game"}