WORLD CUP 2010 South Africa

Eljay,

The festivities sound really exciting. I'm sure we'll not see all of the opening ceremonies here but I do feel it all comes alive to me when I read what you write.

Your words paint a bigger picture of what is going on where you live, for example writing about one of my heroes, Nelson Mandela. Then you describe in delightful detail the shopping for your flags. I look for your posts.

I still think I prefer to watch the events of the World Cup through your eyes than through the announcers. Your love of your country and your enthusiasm for the sport is just so refreshing.

I read and hear the pull of the turmoil of all your country has gone through and I don't discount it but for one month the world will hold out hope that when countries come together under a common celebration that we can get along. Here is praying for safety for all as we pray for safety for ourselves in our own communities. Here's to peace for one month of soccer and hopefully into the future too.

Years ago, my son went with a benevolent prepared group of people to a country where two groups have sort of fought each other for years. They invited young people from these opposing factions to spend some days playing soccer, eating together and having fun, with a time to experience some kind of peace in the midst of play. How much influence this had on them in their future we may not know for sure but I think it did some good.

Thank you Eijay for stepping up to the plate (which is a whole different game) and help us to see life in another part of the world. I support you and your efforts and I hope it helps draw you out a bit too, if that is meant to be.


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Eskie - I wish the World Equestrian Games were held in South Africa! I think we have a few rides competing in the WEG, as we have a few based overseas, and some have qualified locally. Transport of horses is just very complicated, as every horse leaving South Africa has to undergo 40 days of quarentine! And it's very expensive with very few sponsors.

I live about 5 minutes drive from the stadium in Durban. I think there are 6 games here; the first is on Sunday, Germany vs Australia.
I can see it from my apartment though, and we did upgrade our TV to watch the games in HD. Not sure I would have been too keen to go to a game, so we didn't apply for tickets.

I watched parts of the opening concert last night, and we finish work at 2PM today, allowing us time to get home to see the opening cermeny (Well, partially, and the opening game).

The vibe is awesome though - our whole office floor +-100 people are all dressed in yellow supporters shirts, TVs are up in the office for us to watch the other games throughout the days going forward.
The Vuvuzela's are driving me crazy though - I heard them on the roads at 10PM last night and this morning befoe 7AM again!

Today is the day! We,South Africans, never thought it would happen. All the criticism we got from the world about not being able to finish the stadiums in time etc., was unfounded! We did it!

The opening ceremony is at 2 PM and the game between South Africa and Mexico starts at 4 PM, South African time.

Last night's 3 hour "Welcoming the World" concert in Soweto was great, with sounds from South Africa, Africa, South America, North America, etc. My favourite groups were The Black Eyed Peas and The Parlotones. And that song with the lyrics: 'As I get older, I will be stronger...' is great!

Remember not to visit this site if you want to watch a game after it already happened. All games in South Africa are played 8 to 12 hours ahead of American time! But you know that so don't check the score before the time. Now that makes a game boring!

Viva South Africa! Viva Africa! Viva WORLD CUP 2010!

Your excitement is infectious Eljay!

Some kid in my neighbourhood is about to have his vuvuzela stuck up....... well, you know what I mean. 3 days of constant blowing! Driving me nuts.

Sabrina - I'm with you 100%!!! Our office block is so noisy I've resorted to listening to my iPod.
The kids are hanging out of cars with their Vuvzela's and I'm telling you - It's a risk driving home for fear of a Vuvuzela hitting your car, or a kid hanging out after it!

This is going to be a LONG month!!! Bring on the Benzo's!

Yeah, I'm just popping the Valium all day!

I never EVER watch Soccer. Eljay, I'll have you know that I watched the last few minutes of our first match between Mexico and Good 'Ol SA and I was on the edge of my seat. Especially that near goal that hit the wood. I felt all patriotic and excited for my country. The drone of Vuvuzelas was quite something else though. Those poor players!!!!!

Yeah, I'm very inpressed with S.A.'s performance. We are ranked so low and we almost win! Great stuff. I heared on the radio they say the country is partying like mad at all the party spots! The game between France and Uruguay was very mediocre to me. I think differently now of the group we play in. France didn't impress me. I am beginning to believe that we can go through to the next round. And Tshabalana's goal was a beautiful goal!

South Africa 1
Mexico 1

France 0
Uruguay 0

I must say it takes a lot getting used to those vuvuzelas! I still wish they don't exist! But South African's can go to bed feeling proud of the opening ceremony and all the other game arrangements etc. And also the fully packed stadiums.

Viva Bafana Bafana!

That was a really nice game of S.A.; they deserved more than 1 point.
I read this morning that a host country has never been knocked out in the group stage. If they keep playing like this, they should have good chances for the next round.

Sadly, Madiba(Nelson Mandela), couldn't be at the opening ceremony, because tradegy struck his family. His great grand daughter was killed in a car crash. She was only 13 years of age.
It's ironic to think that if it wasn't for him, our country probably wouldn't have the privilage to host the World Cup. And now he can't even enjoy it. Very sad.

Hey, all you Americans. Today is your day. I see even Joe Biden is in SA. I wish Barack Obama could have come!
Our news papers state that all eyes should be on Jozy Altidore and Landon Donovan. I've seen them both play in Club games and they are good!
But I'm sorry I'm definitely on England's side. Definitely!
So I hope you enjoy the game!

Come on England !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I hate football just don't tell anyone)

Yesterday was so cool! We don't really know the people living next to us. Those living opposite the street we know a bit better. But yesterday the people next to us started blowing vuvuzelas 15 minutes before the SA game started. The other neighbours responded with a vuvuzela and then we hooted back with the car hooter. When we scored our goal, we did it again. It was really cool!

I was disappointed with France yesterday! Very disappointed, they can play much better than that and should have won their match. Allez les bleus!

The Argentina/Nigeria match is on right now, and England/USA will be on later- that'll be a good match.

Yes, France was very dissapointing to me too.

Korea 2
Greece 0

Argentina 1
Nigeria 0

So far this was the best game so far. Much more skill than the previous games. Lionel Messi was great, but the Nigerian goal keeper was also great. I thought Argentina should have won by a bigger margin, though.

Looking forward to the USA / England game!

England, just do it!

i am actually planning to see everygame in the world cup.! im looking forward to the US game today.
heres this AMAZING link with all the games that are gona be taking place:

http://www.marca.com/deporte/futbol/...o-english.html

I was sorry to hear of Mandela's loss and that he was not able to attend the ceremony.

I got to watch half of it last night and will be watching the rest after the the US/Eng game this afternoon. I've really enjoyed it. The match should be good. Looking forward to it. Go US!

Jay,you go girl, you fight for your right to enjoy yourself!

Because this is the first World Cup hosted in Africa, South Africans are expected to root for the other African teams also, especially after we fall out. So as to help the African countries, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria and Algeria to do better. Today at the Argentina / Nigeria game you could see white people with Nigerian colours and flags rooting for Nigeria! We all know that black South Africans won't do that, because of the zenophobia in our country. Huge amounts of other Africans migrate south to SA to find work. So they compete with our own people. Our people hate them for that and sometimes even kill them. People from other African countries who now live in SA live in constant fear. But to think that they still find it better than living in their own country's atrocious conditions, are very very sad.

What an exciting game!

England 1
USA 1

Well, I think the British are very dissapointed. But I must hand it to you my American friends, you have a great team. Your goalkeeper was great. And you have some great players in defense and attack. Well rounded. I really enjoyed this game. Go and celebrate!

How did the English team not take it! As a Liverpool fan I was happy to see Gerrard's goal early on, but Green ruined that lead by completely fumbling the ball on a soft goal.

Looking forward to Australia/Germany tomorrow.

Green did so fumble it! Bet he never forgets that.

I think the best part was Beckham's upset face when Green fumbled and let that goal in:


Someone isn't too happy!

Let's not blame Green for it. Crap like that happens. I particularly like how the Americans act as if they did something though...and that is coming from an American.

Anyway, I too am looking forward to the precision clockwork mechanism that is the German Empire versus a little team with HUGE, ENORMOUS, BRILLIANT spirit. I wish them both well. I'll be happy either way.

The poor British! Thanks Fenrir for that 'beautiful / sad picture' of David Beckham! I'm also so looking forward to the Germany / Australia game. Germany must take it! Yesterday when I rooted for Argentina, I was dissapointed. Today, I saw these really funny photo's of coach Diego Maradona's frustrations, his screaming and running around. The newspaper called it the Maradona Tango!

Friday, with the Mexico / SA match, I heard some Mexicans were singing their own songs as well as 'shozoloza'. 'Shozoloza' is a true South African song, which the guys sing while working in the mines. Too me that's so wonderful.

The most tickets for the Cup was bought by South Africans, then Americans, then the British, then the Germans and so on. Wow, at the USA / England match, I think there were only Americans and British!

I am now totally used to hearing the vuvuzelas on TV. But you must know if you walk in a street and somebody blows one just behind you, the fright you get is awful! What did you think of the vuvuzelas?