<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"The World Cup began Thursday with a decidedly odd opening ceremony. Though Brazil spent a fortune trying to merge culture, nature and acrobatics, it did not score a goal (we are allowed at least one futbol pun) with spectators. \nInstead, the world was reminded that humans in their adult form should never dress like foliage. And that Pitbull is no Shakira. \nSee also: 17 Wildest Things at the World Cup Opening Ceremony\nFortunately, we can turn to our wittiest of Twitter friends to help us find solace in even the most awkward of collective sporting events.  \n\n\nTwitter Reactions World Cup\n\n\n\n\n\nIf I was Brazilian I would be protesting right now. That was terrible. #OpeningCeremony #WorldCup2014\u2014 Justin Griesel (@JustinGriesel) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n1. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis ceremony looked like ghosts trees and aliens running around after a giant ball#WorldCup #openingceremony\u2014 DESI (@DesiganR) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n2. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIt's like looking inside charlie sheens mind #ITVFootball #OpeningCeremony\u2014 thomas milnes (@tprowl) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n3. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUmmmm, I thought this was the #OpeningCeremony? All that's missing is the Hobbit and a ring... #MissionToMordor\u2014 Bronwyn Hardick (@missbronni) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n4. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLooks like dancing broccoli #OpeningCeremony\u2014 Rebekka-Mary Darling (@RebekkaMary) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n5. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrazil sure love Bugs Life. #OpeningCeremony\u2014 Bearded FC (@BeardedFC) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n6. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n#OpeningCeremony or Acid trip?! Can't work out which.\u2014 Prince Harry (@Prince___Harry) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n7. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI so want that giant ball to come loose and roll after them Indiana Jones style #OpeningCeremony\u2014 Katie Weasel (@KatieWeasel) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n8. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI feel like I'm watching 200+ people on some kind of drug.\n\n#OpeningCeremony #Brazil2014\u2014 ManUnitedTalk (@ManUnitedTalk) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n9. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor god sake Simon Cowell, press your bloody buzzer #OpeningCeremony\u2014 Katie Weasel (@KatieWeasel) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n10. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJust when you thought the opening ceremony couldn't get worse, Pitbull emerges to \"rap\" #OpeningCeremony\u2014 Ian (@IANSINKINS) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n11. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDon't forget guys, doesn't matter that's she's dancing by giant broc, she's still just Jenny from the block #OpeningCeremony #WorldCup2014\u2014 Tiernan Douieb (@TiernanDouieb) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n12. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWell, at least it's a relatively peaceful protest.\n#OpeningCeremony\u2014 Mrs Stephen Fry (@MrsStephenFry) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n13. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis looks like a fruit salad. What's going on Brazil? #OpeningCeremony\u2014 Caiphus L Kgosana (@CaiphusK_11) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n14. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBring back Shakira.... #OpeningCeremony\u2014 Manchester United (@United_Transfer) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n15. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTbh you can't really top the Queen jumping out of a helicopter #OpeningCeremony\u2014 Ashley Kelley (@AshleyFKelley) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n16. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJust recreated the #OpeningCeremony on my living room floor. #WorldCup2014 pic.twitter.com/XbQUB9kes8\u2014 Mark Jones (@mistermarkjones) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n17. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\"So far, NONE of the 5 Olympics Rings have lit...\" - Russia #OpeningCeremony\u2014 TrivWorks (@TrivWorks) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n18. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAt least in 2010 you didnt have to be an experienced botanist to understand what was going on in thar #openingceremony\u2014 Mikey (@KigenAFC) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n19. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI heard that you couldn't hear Pitbull sing at the #OpeningCeremony\n\nGood.\u2014 Philip Evans (@fredspoon) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n20. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMe watching that Opening Ceremony https://t.co/G774ImHJbe\u2014 Tyrion Lannister (@ItsDazzaB) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n21. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFirst dive of World Cup happens before a ball is even kicked #WorldCup #OpeningCeremony https://t.co/7enVCWGsAi\u2014 Anthony Yacoub (@TrickyFC) June 12, 2014\n\n\n\n\n22. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHave something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.\nBONUS: The Complete Guide to World Cup Team Nicknames \n\n\nThe Wonderful World Cup Team Nicknames\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAlgeria, \"Les Fennecs\"\nIn honor of the national animal of Algeria, the national team is \"Les Fennecs,\" the small, nocturnal foxes native to North Africa.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nArgentina, \"La Albiceleste\"\nAs beautiful as it is eloquent, \"La Albiceleste\" means \"The White and Sky Blue,\" and refers to Argentina's famous striped uniforms.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAustralia, \"The Socceroos\"\nThis is probably the kookiest nickname: Australia's national team combines \"soccer\" and \"kangaroos.\" Now, you've got yourself the Australian squad.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBelgium, \"The Red Devils\"\nThe Belgians are known affectionately in all three of the country's spoken languages -- Dutch, French and German -- as \"The Red Devils.\"  The name was coined when a journalist called the Belgian squad \"The Red Devils\" after three \"devilish\" wins in 1906, just two years after forming.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBosnia and Herzegovina, \"Zmajevi\"\nLike Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina owes its nickname to a commentator who called the players \"zmajevi\" or \"dragons\" in 2010, and the name stuck.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrazil, \"Sele\u00E7\u00E3o\"\n\"The Selection\" is Brazil's nickname because it's what Brazilians call every soccer team: a \"sele\u00E7\u00E3o. But only the national team is \"the \"Sele\u00E7\u00E3o.\" Brazil is also known as \"Canarihno\" (\"Little Canary\") due to the team's bright yellow uniforms.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCameroon, \"The Indomitable Lions\"\nCameroon's nickname is actually a nod to the country's lion-preservation efforts. In the wild and on the pitch, the Cameroon lions or \"Lions\" are \"indomitable.\"\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChile, \"La Roja\"\nThe Chileans prefer simplicity, earning their nickname from the team's notable red uniforms.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nColombia, \"Los Cafeteros\"\n\"Los Cafeteros\" loosely translates to \"one who makes or drinks coffee,\" and Colombians do both. The national team is nicknamed after one of Colombia's biggest exports: coffee.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCosta Rica, \"Los Ticos\"\n\"Los Ticos\" is the shortened, more conversational name for \"Costarrincenses\" or \"native Costa Ricans.\"\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCroatia, \"Vatreni\"\n\"Vatreni\" means \"The Blazers\" in Croatian, a nod to both the passion of the players on the pitch and the fans in the stands. Lately, Croatia is also known as \"Bilic's Boys,\" a reference to the team's head coach, Slaven Bilic.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEcuador, \"La Tricolor\"\n\"La Tricolor\" refers to the three colors of the Ecuadorian flag: yellow, blue and red.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEngland, \"The Three Lions\"\nEngland's namesake refers to the country's rich history, going back to Richard the Lionheart, the King of England from 1189 to 1199. The three lions that appear on the national team's crest also appear on the Royal Arms of England.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFrance, \"Les Bleus\"\nThe boys in \"bleu\" got their nickname because the color dominates the French team's uniforms. It's even a nickname for most teams across French sports.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGermany, \"Die Mannschaft\"\nCall it German efficiency: \"Die Mannschaft\" means \"The Team\" in German. Simple, practical and formidable when spoken.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGhana, \"The Black Stars\"\nA refrence to the sole black star on Ghana's national flag, the players of the national team are stars to their fans.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGreece, \"Ethniki\"\n\"Ethniki\" or \"national\" is Greece's nickname. The Greek team is also known as \"Piratiko,\" after a Greek radio broadcaster who christened the team with the name during the opening ceremony of UEFA Euro 2004.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHonduras, \"Los Catrachos\"\n\"Los Catrachos\" is the name for native Hondurans, derived from General Florencio Xatruch who fought an American insurrectionist's attempts to reintroduce slavery. Xatruch's men were called \"xatruches,\" which then became \"catruches,\" and so on.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIran, \"Team Melli\"\nLike other teams in the World Cup, \"Team Melli\" simply means \"National Team.\" \n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nItaly, \"Azzurri\"\nLike France's team, \"Azzurri\" means \"the blues.\" Though not part of the national flag colors, blue was the color of House Savoy which unified Italy in 1861.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIvory Coast, \"Les Elephants\"\nIvory Coast; ivory tusks. The national team is named \"Les Elephants\" due to their part in the 19th century ivory trade.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJapan, \"Samurai Blue\"\nAdorned in \"blue\" uniforms, the Japanese squad honors the country's historical warriors, and become \"samurais\" on the pitch.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMexico, \"El Tri\"\nEvery national team's nickname honors its country, but Mexico's nickname \"El Tri\" conjures up intense national pride. A shortened \"El Tricolor,\" Mexico's nickname refers to the three colors -- red, white and green -- of the Mexican flag.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNetherlands, \"Oranje\"\nNamed for the team's famous orange kits, the color is actually nowhere to be found on the Netherlands' flag. Instead it refers to the color of the old Dutch royal family: House of Orange-Nassau. The team's invention of a precise method of passing to maintain ball control -- Total Football -- also earned the Dutch team the nickname and Kubrickian homage \"Clockwork Orange.\"\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNigeria, \"The Super Eagles\"\nNigeria's nickname is rooted in classic one-upmanship. The national team adopted the nickname \"The Super Eagles\" after losing to Cameroon's \"The Indomitable Lions\" in the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations finals.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPortugal, \"Sele\u00E7\u00E3o das Quinas\"\nPortugal's nickname, \"The Selection of the Shields,\" refers to the five shields (the \"quinas\") and the five dots within each shield (the bezants) on the country's flag.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRussia, \"Sbornaya\"\nShort on originality, but strong and powerful in pronunciation, Russia's \"Sbornaya\" means \"National Team\" in Russian.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSouth Korea, \"Taegeuk Warriors\"\nThe \"taegeuk\" refers to the symbol on South Korea's national flag, which represents a spiritual balance, similar to China's yin and yang symbol. Also known as \"The Reds\" due to the team's red uniforms, fans have called themselves the \"Red Devils\" since 1995.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpain, \"La Furia Roja\"\n\"The Red Fury,\" Spain's nickname, comes from two sources. \"La Roja,\" like other team nicknames, comes from the color of the team's uniforms, while \"La Furia\" describes its \"direct, aggressive, spirited style\" of play in the 1920s -- a \"fury\" on the pitch.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSwitzerland, \"La Nati\"\nThe Swiss team kept its nickname short and to the point. \"La Nati,\" means \"The National Team\" in French. Due to the many languages used in Switzerland, the team is also known as \"Schweizer Nati\" in German and \"Squadra Nazionale\" in Italian, but they ultimately all mean the same thing. \n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUruguay, \"La Celeste\"\nNot quite Argentina's \"La Albiceleste,\" but equally as beautiful when spoken, Uruguay's \"La Celeste\" also refers to the team's sky-blue uniforms.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nU.S.A., \"The Yanks\"\nUnlike other countries competing in the World Cup, the U.S. doesn't have an official nickname. In the past, the team has been called \"The Yanks,\" but the jury's still out on it being the official name of the U.S. Men's National Team. Other nicknames include \"The Stars and Stripes\"  or just \"Team USA.\"\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2014/06/12/world-cup-opening-ceremony-twitter/>