Archive for the ‘2010 soccer world cup’ Category
Sunday, July 11th, 2010 |
We waited so long for the Soccer World Cup and now it’s over and Spain are the winners.
The World Cup was so much more than I expected:
The soccer itself might not always have been the best but everything else was.
I’ll remember the World Cup for:
1. The vuvuzela! I decided to embrace the noisemaker and am glad I did.
2. Waka waka, ayoba, Ke Nako and Philip – I mean Feel it, it is here.
3. Excited fans – local and international.
4. The incomparable oracle octopus, Paul. He got ALL his predictions right!
5. England crashing out to Germany.
6. Argentina crashing out to Germany.
7. Cape Town’s fan walk.
8. Fan parks! And the excitement of game days.
9. Being nice to each other.
10. Bafanamania – while it lasted.
And thats that 
Although we’ll always have memories of us at our very best.
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Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 |
This morning I woke to news that Paul the German Octopus had chosen Spain to win tonight’s Soccer World Cup semi-final game against Germany! And Paul hasn’t been wrong over the last three weeks or so – not yet anyway.
Does that octopus not have anything better to do?
At least normal South African programming wasn’t interrupted to break the news, unlike in Germany itself.
Yet you can’t get away from news on that ridiculous octopus’s prediction today. The Cape Times ran an article, Google News had a few headlines and people were talking about it.
Fortunately for octopuses everywhere I am vegetarian! Because I’m not particularly liking their species today.
Germany will just have to defy Paul the Octopus’s prediction and win the match by playing the fantastic soccer they’ve provided so far.
Although I won’t be putting money on a German win – just in case Paul knows of what he predicts.
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Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 |
One of the most unexpected things for me about the Soccer World Cup is the overseas fans! Many of us expected South Africa to run a decent tournament. We have after all successfully organised rugby and cricket world cups and many other international tournaments.
However nothing prepared us for the fans! They’ve brought colour and excitement to Cape Town. Even more than we usually have.
They’ve enthused us with their excitement.
I have no doubt that soccer had a few new converts during the last few weeks. I enjoyed the soccer even more than I thought possible. And I haven’t missed a WC since 1986 when I had to listen to the final between Argentina and West Germany on medium wave radio!
No one will be able to pursuade me that soccer doesn’t have the best fans in the world. The English, Brazilians, Portuguese and especially the Dutch fans have added even more to already great World Cup experience in Cape Town.
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Sunday, July 4th, 2010 |
Apparently buoyed by the ‘gees’ shown during Soccer World Cup 2010, there is an initiative to keep the flag flying after the event finishes next Sunday.
I heard this on Capetalk/702 Sunday Breakfast.
There are plans for:
1. A website, www.flytheflag.co.za and with that probably a Facebook page and Twitter account.
2. Advertising initiatives with large brands like Mtn and Vodacom, etc.
3. A competition to find a name for the national flag.
4. A request for people to keep their SA flags flying on cars and at home, for at least a month after the final.
No word on vuvuzela blowing 
Basically I don’t think there is any need to artificially drum up ‘gees’.
We’ve had it since 1994!
Sometimes we equate national pride with political views, but that’s rubbish.
We are not only our politics and crime. And whether you’re a cricket, soccer or rugby supporter or not doesn’t make you a patriot.
All that is required of us is to:
1. Be born here or choose to live here
2. respect the laws of our country
3. hold our politicians accountable
4. Be respectful of each other’s differences
5. Speak well of the country of our birth, whether we choose to live here or overseas.
I’ve been proudly South African since 1994 and no World Cup or other flag flying event has anything to do with it.
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Monday, June 21st, 2010 |
Not only have the Italians displayed disappointing soccer skills on the field, but they’ve not exactly lived up to expectation in the looks department. Not to me anyway.
And Fernando Torrest unfortunately have lost his place on my top 5 list. With his shorter haircut he looks downright ordinary!
My new list includes Steven Gerrard of England – mainly for taking his shirt off after the first match against USA. That was hot! to quote Paris Hilton.
There’s no denying Cristiano Ronaldo is hot, with or without his clothes, so he stays too.
Again in no particular order:
kaka - brazil
steven gerrard - england
roque santa cruz - paraguay
cristiano ronaldo - portugal
carlos bocanegra - usa
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